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Restoration: Roadstar (II) to hell

#41
Whoops! Was browsing on my phone and thought the recent pics post was the first post.

Those ibanez pickups are some of my favorite pickups ever. They are in my rb950. Mine recently went microphonic so I had to have them potted. I also find the hum really annoying when they are in coil tap mode. But running normal they sound incredible!
 
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#42
DaveRhys said:
Really tempted to leave the neck natural (oil/wax) rather than re-colour and lacquer it. Only problem is that neck pocket is noticeably looser without all the lacquer... although I guess I could shim it... thoughts?
Click to expand...

You could allow paint into the neck pocket in nice even layers. That would compensate for the paint absent from the neck heel and maybe help you avoid a shim (I hate shimming necks).

I'm hoping you've got some glossy candy color in mind. These basses usually had very glossy finishes, I can't imagine them any other way. But it's your bass, your call.

It's looking very nice, keep up the good work.
 
#44
DaveRhys said:
Yes indeed.

Note: My proper tools are in transit (as I've just moved country) so I'm having to make do with whatever I can beg/borrow/improvise, so don't judge me...
(judge away!) :D

Used the orbital sander (medium grit, nothing too coarse) for flat sections (i.e. back and front); the sheet sander for around the sides. I'd use the mechanical sanders to get through the lacquer then switch to hand (blocks and pads) to go through the paint (to preserve as much wood as possible).
For the inside curves of the horns I taped some sandpaper to a hole-cutter, shoved it on the end of a rusty drill, and used it like a spindle-sander.

Before anyone calls me heavy-handed, if I'd been dealing with a hair-thin nitro finish, I'd probably have done most of it by hand - the lacquer on the Roadstar was made of kryptonite.

More progress tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing these details. Looking forward to the next update.

. . . . thinking a little bit more how I might do my version of this project. . . I'm wondering what this would look like using some thinned black paint as a stain, then a clear, satin finish on the body. Leave the neck natural with a satin clear-coat (I don't like the feel of a glossy neck).
 
#45
The devil's in the details, so I sanded the scuffs off the pickup covers.

P4080641.jpg

(apologies for the blue hue, was working under blue skylight)

Have now resprayed with satin black and should be dry tomorrow.
Don't think they need boxing - quite like them black and dangerous looking.

Back to the details - couldn't live with the frets.

P4080642.jpg


Little bit worn if you ask me, so out they came.

P4080645.jpg


Had just wiped the neck down with spirit in that shot which makes the chipping look a lot worse than it is - in reality there are only a couple of very minor chips that need dealing with (fill with ebony/rosewood dust). Overall very pleased.

Onwards!
 
#46
Excellent thread! The copper you found on the aluminium alloy of the bridge is part of the multi stage process used plating, commonly chrome. The copper is soft and can be "smushed" into imperfections and buffed up prior to chrome application.

Are you still going with woodscrews on the neck? I think there is plenty of opportunity to upgrade the neck mounting with threaded steel inserts and M4 hex bolts with ferrules.

Subbed.
 
#47
charlie monroe said:
RB850-HSYen.gif


Two words: String Tree

They weren't installed OEM, but how cool would that Yen look as one? just get a little brass nut or something as a spacer. If you do this, you know you have to nail it in right?
Click to expand...

That clock looks familiar.... has my Ibby become a photochop recipient???? I agree, the string-tree 5-yen piece looks great, especially on my headstock (lol)

For those at the start wanting pics of one in good condition, I humbly submit:
Isabelle.jpg


Isabelle-HS.jpg


Good work on the resto so far, and the bridge, I'm seeing some of the same corrosion, not nearly as far gone as yours, OP. I'm of the mind to swap mine out for a new hipshot or something soon, and string her B-E-A-D, or throw a drop tuner for Estring - D.
Looking forward to seeing what yours comes out looking like
Cheers
T_G
 
#48
that-guy said:
That clock looks familiar.... has my Ibby become a photochop recipient???? I agree, the string-tree 5-yen piece looks great, especially on my headstock (lol)
Click to expand...

Haha, I performed a google image search for a headstock (the OP's wasn't strung up) and chopped his Yen coin onto your bass ;)

Your bass looks to be in top condition, very nice!

I'm getting a kick out of the fact that you found my chop :cool: Sorry, and thanks!
 
#50
DaveRhys said:
Got distracted by other projects and a mysterious animal hiding in my wood pile today...

P4070634.jpg


... it's called a 'spitfire' apparently?!
(Looks nothing like a plane...)
Click to expand...

Well, I have no information about those caterpillars, but you are in Australia so don't touch it. It will either be able to kill you or cause extreme pain, they even have trees that can do that there.

I am looking forward to seeing the end results.
 
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#51
charlie monroe said:
Haha, I performed a google image search for a headstock (the OP's wasn't strung up) and chopped his Yen coin onto your bass ;)

Your bass looks to be in top condition, very nice!

I'm getting a kick out of the fact that you found my chop :cool: Sorry, and thanks!
Click to expand...

No need to apologise, and I do like the chop. A fitting place for the coin, I think.
As for finding the pic, I'm always looking through any Roadstar II threads I find for ideas for my girl, and there it was!! funny.
T_G
 
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#54
Good as freakin' new!

P4090654.jpg


Prostheta said:
Are you still going with woodscrews on the neck? I think there is plenty of opportunity to upgrade the neck mounting with threaded steel inserts and M4 hex bolts with ferrules.
Click to expand...

Massive thanks Prostheta - I'd completely forgotten that was an option.
The broken screws in the neck were giving me a real headache...

P4030609.jpg


Initially I tried to drill them out, but the drill preferred the softer maple and wouldn't stay on track.
Then I toyed with the idea of filling the holes and re-drilling all of them half an inch back.
... but bolts and inserts! Ah-ha! Brilliant solution.

That allowed me to drill them out using a larger bore to make room for the inserts.

P4090657.jpg

(got a little bit overzealous with the clamp there, but better that than slippage)

Little bit of epoxy and an Allen key later:

P4090659.jpg


M6 bolts may be a little bit overkill, but that neck won't be going anywhere.
Job's a good'un.

p.s. have come to the conclusion that every animal over here will probably try to kill me, so leaving them well alone ;)
 
#55
DaveRhys said:
M6 bolts may be a little bit overkill, but that neck won't be going anywhere.
Job's a good'un.

p.s. have come to the conclusion that every animal over here will probably try to kill me, so leaving them well alone ;)
Click to expand...

Nice job with the inserts, that's going to be a good snug fit with the body.

And yes, most everything animal wise here down under will try to hurt you, thankfully most of the really bad ones are a: few and far between, or b: tiny ( as in squishable) so very easily dispatched.
Good luck with the rest of the resto!! looking great so far.
T_G
 
#57
Jazz Ad said:
Fantastic job so far.
There are boomerang style buttons on eBay but they're all way overpriced.
I'm sure a TBer will be able to hook you up.
Mine went onto a restored guitar years ago.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure DaveRhys said he still had both of them. The upperhorn button was corroded onto the screw, so it is taking a 'yoghurt bath'.

DR, you are really kicking this bass in the butt! It is going to look and sound better than new!
 

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