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Restoration: Roadstar (II) to hell

#61
I know it's psychosomatic, but right now, this feels like the most awesome bolt-on neck I've ever had the pleasure of whirling round the garden.

P4100668.jpg


I've always been sceptical of the whole wood-screw vs. machine-screw argument (Vegemite vs. Marmite anyone??), but this has got me sold.
Bolt and insert construction forever more!
(... if I abandon my beloved neck-thru)

Some quick filling of dings and bumps, a bit of final shaping and slapped on big sloppy coat of sealer/grain-filler.

P4100669.jpg


First coat was like painting a sponge; second coat seems to be filling better. (Haven't used this stuff before so it's a bit of learning experience)
Will sand down tomorrow and see where we stand...

p.s. re the coin: it's definitely getting inlaid into the headstock (think it's more permanent than a string tree), but I can't decide where.
... so I'll let you all decide:

P4100671.jpg

(aah, PhotoShop my old friend)

A or B?
 
#66
Wonderful stuff on this thread.

My 2 cents:

1.) I vote "A" on the coin.
2.) Marmite.

Great project. I used string-through-body ferrules on my Jazz instead of a neck plate. There are machine bolts with Allen heads that will fit it inside the ferrules for a completely flush installation.
 
#71
Since you're restoring the bass, and not really changing anything to it, I'd say you gotta put the Ibanez logo back on the headstock, and put the coin in position B. If you didn't, I think it'll look like someone just screwed up the headstock and then glued on a coin as some weird afterthought.

As for neck screws to use with the inserts, I used stainless pan-head hex socket screws that looked like this:

auto-part-hex-socket-pan-head-screw-iso7380.jpg


I'm pretty sure I got them at Home Depot. I put them over a black neck plate. Work great. I like the stainless screws + black hardware look, YMMV.
 
#74
Lazarus.Bird said:
PS Here's my Roadstar II that has the same pickups. Everyone that has ever heard it/played it/worked on it all comment on how great it sounds.

IMG_3874.jpg
Click to expand...

Soooo hot. The black version of this bass puts my GAS into the volcanic zone...



Speaking of color, any thoughts on what the refin color will be? Stickin' with the original black, or steppin' out into somethin' a little wild?
 
#75
TheDude007 said:
I vote A, IF you're not going to have the Ibanez logo put back on there. If you do, then I vote B.
Click to expand...
The Ibanez logo 'will' be going back on, but I reckon there is enough room for both in position A.
I'll do another mock-up when the new decals arrive.

iamlowsound said:
You should counter sink the plate into the body and counter sink the bolts into the plate. It will be nice and smooth that way.
Click to expand...
Blimey... nice.
Recessing the plate is easy enough (although that'll involve buying another router bit, which I was trying to avoid), but countersinking the bolts might be pushing it as the plate isn't very thick (2mm) and the holes are quite close to the edge.
I really like the recessed plate idea though.
... but I'd have to do it today/before undercoating the body.

Dean N said:
...I'd say you gotta put the Ibanez logo back on the headstock, and put the coin in position B. If you didn't, I think it'll look like someone just screwed up the headstock and then glued on a coin as some weird afterthought.
Click to expand...
Definitely trying to avoid the 'someone butchered a perfectly good bass' look ;)
Logo will definitely be going back on.


Dean N said:
Since you're restoring the bass, and not really changing anything to it,
Click to expand...
Ah, this is still up-in-the-air a little.
I was 'initially' going to change as little as possible (with the exception of colour/finish), but a couple of factors may yet change this.
The biggest concern is still the bridge. I'm having to re-tap two of the height-adjustment screws (they rusted fast and had to be drilled out) and the first round of paint just didn't adhere, so I'm going to have to strip it again.
... I might give up and opt for a new bridge, especially given condition (it'll look like a beat-up bridge on a very shiny bass).
Which reminds me...
Lazarus.Bird said:
PS Here's my Roadstar II
Click to expand...
... is the bridge on yours aftermarket LB?

As for colour...
handofseven said:
Speaking of color, any thoughts on what the refin color will be? Stickin' with the original black, or steppin' out into somethin' a little wild?
Click to expand...
... goin' a little wild (just waiting for it to arrive).
;)
 
#76
No my bridge is original. Same gold color as the hardware. Looks to be the same as your bridge? Mine is an '83 yours is an '84. Mine is an RB950. The photo was taken with my fiance's DSLR that I have no idea how to use. The burst on the bass is much more blue and green.

BTW great job with the restoration! I love seeing these old basses restored they are great players for cheap money.
 
#77
Are you going to make us all wait until it's finished (pun intended) to see the color? :spit: :p I'm hoping it's something red or metallic...

As for the bridge, if you can't make it pretty, I'd say replace it. It kind of looked like a disaster... Of course you might not be able to just go out to the back yard and a pick a few twenties off the ol' money tree...

Great work so far. I love Ibanez, and I love seeing decent basses brought back to being playable and pretty.
 
#79
DaveRhys said:
Blimey... nice.
Recessing the plate is easy enough (although that'll involve buying another router bit, which I was trying to avoid), but countersinking the bolts might be pushing it as the plate isn't very thick (2mm) and the holes are quite close to the edge.
I really like the recessed plate idea though.
... but I'd have to do it today/before undercoating the body.
Click to expand...
You are welcome:) This thing looks amazing. I used to have a 1985 Musician and it was one of the best basses that I have even owned. I am also a big fan of these old Ibanez basses and I would own several if they came in 5 strings. Hmmm, maybe I'll have to build a five string copy of an '80's Ibanez.

lowsound
 
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#80
iamlowsound said:
You are welcome:) This thing looks amazing. I used to have a 1985 Musician and it was one of the best basses that I have even owned. I am also a big fan of these old Ibanez basses and I would own several if they came in 5 strings. Hmmm, maybe I'll have to build a five string copy of an '80's Ibanez.

lowsound
Click to expand...

Race ya. I have plans to cross that Ibby Darkstone into a 5-string. Along with all my multitudinous other plans. X'D
 

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