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New Lonnybass: Claro Walnut Edition

#121
PDX Rich said:
The extra work you put into the dye process is really starting to pay off. Looks great!
Click to expand...

Thanks Rich. I totally agree, the added steps are definitely worthwhile. Having used the technique on a number of instruments now, I can't imagine doing exotic tops without at least some subtle dye work to really set off the boards. I went back and took a look at the "before" photos and the difference is striking.

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#124
The walnut has some areas in the burls that appear to be just drinking up finish, resulting in what appear to be low spots. I'm hitting those areas with dabs of oil in an effort to build a hard film and level it all out tomorrow.
 
#127
The bass now has about six coats of Arm-R-Seal applied to it. I'll continue to build another six to eight during the rest of the week.

I'm really happy with the way the finish is turning out - it's been a bit of a bear to work with this claro, but the effort has been worthwhile.
 
#135
earlysecond said:
Looks fantastic Lonny! For me, the gold is the ONLY choice on that build! Well played!
Click to expand...

Thanks my friend.

I'm still kind of stumped on the colors on this bass - it looks different in every photo I take! Fortunately the gold seems to really match the amber highlights, but there are all these other shades going on depending on the light that's hitting the thing.
 
#136
I'm experimenting a bit with the neck heel block as I can't get the walnut veneer to quite match the surrounding body wood. I'm thinking I may use some more birdseye maple instead, to tie the look of the fingerboard deeper into the inset.
 
#137
Some significant reworking on the neck to get it where I am satisfied. I was not happy with the way the burl looked on the cap along the body join, or with the headstock - it didn't blend well enough with the surrounding body wood, and so I installed a birdseye maple cap instead of the walnut. The contrast appears much nicer to my eye and I like the way it carries through the look of the fingerboard, which seems to be such a nice variation to the dark walnut.

It still needs to be leveled flush to the body, but I really like the way the newly rebuilt neck came together in its updated form.
 
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