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Refinishing the neck

dbhokie

dbhokie

Nov 1, 2010
210
2
#1
I looked, and somehow just ended up with more questions than answers.

I have recently procured an old Gibson Grabber, I don't even have it yet, but from the pictures I would like to refinish the neck. This isn't a project so I can sell the bass or anything like that, I don't care how long it takes, my first bass was a Grabber, and I always wanted to get another one since it got stolen, so I want to make it shine and look good for myself, and I want to put the care into it.

I am nervous about re-doing the neck and fretboard though. What steps should I take, what kind of sandpaper should I use? Do I need to defret and refret, what about the inlays?

If I overlooked a thread talking about this specifically, I am sorry I am not meaning to be redundant.
 
#2
Ok I am going to test drive by having a go at an older cheap Yamaha I have. I really have read about 30 threads about neck finishing now, and I think I have an idea about what to use for the actual sanding. I'm just still not sure what to do about inlays and removing the frets, (I read a defret tutorial, so I know I "can" remove them), I suppose I would probably need to get new frets (likely I'll bend them a bit pulling them out). If I am going to try and strip the old finish, should I use a chemical stripper then lightly sand the wood? I am worried about being too aggressive, since it is an older neck. (which is why I'm going to do this to the cheaper yamaha first).

I am going to repaint the body as well, automotive paint works well?
 
#3
post some pics, there was nothing really specific in your post as to what was needed to be done. Some pics and a complete idea of what you are trying to achieve can help in getting more responses.

Being a former Gibson employee, I am quite interested in what you do with it.
 

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