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Project: My first big build (Warmoth/Moses)

rojo412

rojo412

Sit down, Danny...
Supporting Member
Feb 26, 2000
10,914
15,077
46
Cleveland, OH.
#1
Just got the foundation of the new project that I'm attempting. This is my first one to involve finishing, bridge mounting, nut cutting, etc.

It's a Warmoth Deluxe J 5 Ash body, Moses Graphite neck.

100_0922.jpg


100_0921.jpg


100_0924.jpg


I can't wait to dig in! But I have supplies to get and need to do this on days off (like today!). First thing's first, though. Gotta post it here.

Plans so far:
Finish the body: Clear, maybe a slight stain, but not going nuts.
Fix headstock: It needs to be filled a little, fill "Moses" logo, drill for tuner screws, add my own logo, paint it. May even veneer?
Equip: Came with tuners, buying a used Hipshot bridge, have a bunch of other parts, but may upgrade as I build. No major decisions until I get this more done.
 
#4
Primary assessment:

Body needs to be sanded and grain-filled. Got to head to Woodcraft for the filler, sandpaper, and probably a finish of some sort.

Pickups I had won't fit. May get some EMGs for the following reasons:
1) No shield needed for superquiet operation.
2) Graphite neck... think Steinberger, Modulus... EMG is great with those for "modern" voice.
3) Should fit without modification
4) Price is good.

My main concern is the neck pocket. I think I may have to have it shaved down a bit, as the neck sits a bit high, but I need to get the neck screws and bridge first.
 
#7
Okay, so I have some questions for those who may have worked with the graphite necks...

The shoddy job that was done to fill the tuner hole setup left some shallow gouging in the headstock. Plus, it has a "Moses" logo that is in need of going "buh-bye!"

What is best for filling in graphite neck boo-boos? Bondo maybe?

I plan on painting and finishing the headstock, so I don't care about a color match, I just want to keep that easy and smooth.

Also, the neck bolt ferrules that are installed in these...
Do they need to be anything super-specific or can I improvise?
I understand that they'd need to be installed in a very specific and precise way, but can I get bigger, stainless ones maybe?
 
#8
rojo412 said:
Okay, so I have some questions for those who may have worked with the graphite necks...

What is best for filling in graphite neck boo-boos? Bondo maybe?


Also, the neck bolt ferrules that are installed in these...
Do they need to be anything super-specific or can I improvise?
I understand that they'd need to be installed in a very specific and precise way, but can I get bigger, stainless ones maybe?
Click to expand...


I would use epoxy to fill holes, epoxy is already used to make the neck :smug: but I think that bondo would work as long as you are not using for anything that will hold a screw or such.

You can use bigger stainless steel inserts but the risk is that bigger will get you closer to the edges and closer to the rod if there is one,, so don't go too big
 
#9
Took me a bit of time, but I got around to getting supplies:
Timbermate Ebony filler
Epoxy
Clearcoat
Sandpaper

Did a dual duty...

First, I hit the back of the headstock with some sandpaper to level it. There are some gouges in it, so I wanted to fill that with epoxy.

100_0929.jpg


I saved the powder to add to the epoxy resin (before the hardner!) and made a black epoxy...

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I smeared that on the back of the headstock and I have to let it cure for about 3 days. MEANWHILE!


The Timbermate stuff seemed easy enough. Mix it into a thick-paint consistency and wipe it on the body... but I think I went too thick?

100_0933.jpg


I also got it into the pickup and control cavities in vital spots... good thing it's water soluble! It was a real bear to get that stuff off. I think I may go thinner next round. Plus, I had to use 220 grit to get any off. But it does look nice...

100_0937.jpg


That's a little spot wiped with some mineral spirits. The grain looks really cool with the black accent. But the thing is, there is some funky grain in the upper horn that isn't looking so hot...

100_0938.jpg


It's on the bottom part of the front of the upper horn. I'm not terribly enthusiastic about it. I think this natural finish is going to need to be a burst or even solid because it's like a wide grain in a spot that won't look nice when done. I have to first finish the first sanding, then re-filler, then resand before I make a decision.

Thoughts?
 
#11
rojo412 said:
Primary assessment:

Body needs to be sanded and grain-filled. Got to head to Woodcraft for the filler, sandpaper, and probably a finish of some sort.

Pickups I had won't fit. May get some EMGs for the following reasons:
1) No shield needed for superquiet operation.
2) Graphite neck... think Steinberger, Modulus... EMG is great with those for "modern" voice.
3) Should fit without modification
4) Price is good.

My main concern is the neck pocket. I think I may have to have it shaved down a bit, as the neck sits a bit high, but I need to get the neck screws and bridge first.
Click to expand...

I have a 5 string jazz like your building and I dropped some bartolinis in there and its magical... I used a hipshot bridge as well... My body was a single piece of mahogany though and the neck a 35 scale...

DSC_3291.jpg

DSC_3289.jpg


Bartolini works well with moses necks... Bartolini has long and short 5 string j pickups so one of their models should work for the routes on your body... For shielding I just used shielding paint which is cheap, like 15$ a can... The bass is dead quiet...

If you have any doubts on how barts sound in there let me know and I'll send you a soundclip if you're interested... My friends described the sound as a jazz bass mixed with a stingray...
 
#12
I am not a bart fan. I've never jived well with it. If I'm dropping cash on this, I'd either try SGD or Nords. Rave reviews, and I've never had them.

EMG is an easy fit, though I'd try Sadowsky, Dimarzio, or MEC... all can be had used for about the same price.

BTW, that bass is SMOKING! Nice job.
 
#14
I did! PBFACTOR abandoned the project and I scooped it up. It is a lot of work, but I have to build something from this degree at least ONCE! Rebuilding and maintaining is fun, but this is a whole new ballgame.
 
#15
So, quick note update:

I decided to try a Mary Kay white-style look. I had the grain filled and decided it wouldn't look good "in the nude", so I sprayed it with white primer. It was very nice looking.

Let it dry all day and looked at it, beautiful...
Felt a little rough, so I busted out the steel wool...
Found out steel wool takes out the wood filler...

So I'm gonna take a shot at a ceruse finish. Pics to come shortly.
Day off tomorrow!
 
#16
... or just go Alpine White and call it a day?

100_0949.jpg


I filled the MOSES logo with epoxy, as well as the back of the headstock and sanded them flat...

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And I just sprayed the headstock white and the body as well. A night to dry and I'll see what happens in the morning.
 
#17
So... dumb question...

Anyone ever "Whiteout" a bass? I see the "Stealth" look a lot, but has anyone ever gone, like, SILLY WHITE?

I ask because I have to paint the bridge anyway, am digging the white color, have materials that could all easily be painted and stay that way, and think if it isn't done, I may just have to try it.

I'm talking white body, headstock, fingerboard, knobs, tuners, pickups... what's the thought?
 

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