I’ve managed to salvage the neck from a DB that had been broken, repaired with MDF, painted white, then used as an ornament in someone’s home. The body of the bass has been burned and I have the neck.
My issue is to remove the white paint - which is work in progress. So far I have used only scrapers. I’ve stayed away from heat methods for fear of destroying the animal glue bonds, and chemicals ... because I don’t have any! Then to refinish the neck.
Eventually I will have removed the white paint (however that is achieved) and will be left with - what appears to be - bare wood. Except that it is probably not bare wood because it clogs sandpaper with some kind of light brown residue.
To continue with the job I therefore need to understand,
1) What stains and/or varnishes were probably used originally.
and
2) What stains and/or varnishes I should use to coat the wood to finish the job.
Attached is photo showing a piece from the bass showing the labels. It’s possible to see that the instrument was probably built around 1900 by, Emile ??) and was certainly repaired in 1904. Probably, then, I need to understand what materials were used to finish basses built around 120 years ago.
Wisdom sought.
Thanks.
John.
My issue is to remove the white paint - which is work in progress. So far I have used only scrapers. I’ve stayed away from heat methods for fear of destroying the animal glue bonds, and chemicals ... because I don’t have any! Then to refinish the neck.
Eventually I will have removed the white paint (however that is achieved) and will be left with - what appears to be - bare wood. Except that it is probably not bare wood because it clogs sandpaper with some kind of light brown residue.
To continue with the job I therefore need to understand,
1) What stains and/or varnishes were probably used originally.
and
2) What stains and/or varnishes I should use to coat the wood to finish the job.
Attached is photo showing a piece from the bass showing the labels. It’s possible to see that the instrument was probably built around 1900 by, Emile ??) and was certainly repaired in 1904. Probably, then, I need to understand what materials were used to finish basses built around 120 years ago.
Wisdom sought.
Thanks.
John.
