S.U.B. Club

[sj_bass]

I swear, one of these days I'm gonna do the same thing to the neck of my SUB-5. Nice job - very clean!

 

[odarellmc]

Removed the black paint on the back of the neck, muchhhhhhhhh better!

Do share how u completed this project.

 

[Webtroll]

Do share how u completed this project.

+1 that neck looks sharp, and I like that you left the face of the headstock alone

 

[shrigg]

I swear, one of these days I'm gonna do the same thing to the neck of my SUB-5. Nice job - very clean!

Do share how u completed this project.

+1 that neck looks sharp, and I like that you left the face of the headstock alone

This is the second one I've done. I figured out that Acetone removes the black layer while keeping the factory poly underneath perfectly intact and shiny.

 

[odarellmc]

This is the second one I've done. I figured out that Acetone removes the black layer while keeping the factory poly underneath perfectly intact and shiny.

Really...hmmm. so we don't have to gloss the neck..so how sticky is the gloss?

 

[shrigg]

Really...hmmm. so we don't have to gloss the neck..so how sticky is the gloss?

The black paint must be nitro since Acetone dissolves it. I will say that the paint removal process is a very sticky, messy job that requires complete neck removal and stripping of all hardware including the truss rod adjuster wheel.

But once the paint was removed any remaining haze and stickiness cleaned up great with Naphtha. The finish underneath was already shiny but for good measure I polished everything up with Meguiar's #9 swirl remover. The revealed gloss finish is not sticky at all, after all it's a poly finish that has cured for ten years.

 

[odarellmc]

The black paint must be nitro since Acetone dissolves it. I will say that the paint removal process is a very sticky, messy job that requires complete neck removal and stripping of all hardware including the truss rod adjuster wheel.

But once the paint was removed any remaining haze and stickiness cleaned up great with Naphtha. The finish underneath was already shiny but for good measure I polished everything up with Meguiar's #9 swirl remover. The revealed gloss finish is not sticky at all, after all it's a poly finish that has cured for ten years.

I see so I this a job that a person with no experience can do?

 

[shrigg]

I see so I this a job that a person with no experience can do?

It depends on your comfort level with working on your bass. Have you had it apart all the way or would you hesitate to do so for fear of messing it up? I myself do professional repair and setup work as a guitar tech, if I were to do this for a customer I'd probably charge for one billable hour of work ($50). But it really takes over an hour... Closer to two counting tear down, reassembly and cleanup.

 

[odarellmc]

It depends on your comfort level with working on your bass. Have you had it apart all the way or would you hesitate to do so for fear of messing it up? I myself do professional repair and setup work as a guitar tech, if I were to do this for a customer I'd probably charge for one billable hour of work ($50). But it really takes over an hour... Closer to two counting tear down, reassembly and cleanup.

50 bucks is not bad..too bad you're not in Chicago..

 

[dkelley]

It depends on your comfort level with working on your bass. Have you had it apart all the way or would you hesitate to do so for fear of messing it up? I myself do professional repair and setup work as a guitar tech, if I were to do this for a customer I'd probably charge for one billable hour of work ($50). But it really takes over an hour... Closer to two counting tear down, reassembly and cleanup.

Oh man of pay you a couple hundred bucks to do that to Both my subs.... but I'm in Vancouver Canada.

Is there some sort of tech network where you can guide my local tech through this and I can get this done? Lol

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Removed the black paint on the back of the neck, muchhhhhhhhh better!

I guess I am in the minority when I say you committed an act that borders on genocide. Okay I overstate. But I think part of the vibe of the SUB series is that there is no pretty wood grain or other frills. It's the rat bike of Musicman basses. Though that comparison makes the most sense if you have an all black SUB.

 

[dukeisdog]

I guess I am in the minority when I say you committed an act that borders on genocide. Okay I overstate. But I think part of the vibe of the SUB series is that there is no pretty wood grain or other frills. It's the rat bike of Musicman basses. Though that comparison makes the most sense if you have an all black SUB.

+1

I like the finished neck on my sub, though it's starting to wear down from being played. I figure I'll let it wear down with the natural playing wear then I'll rock the unfinished neck.

 

[shrigg]

I guess I am in the minority when I say you committed an act that borders on genocide. Okay I overstate. But I think part of the vibe of the SUB series is that there is no pretty wood grain or other frills. It's the rat bike of Musicman basses. Though that comparison makes the most sense if you have an all black SUB.

I like the all black look too, but mine had a big spot of missing paint that looked pretty bad. Same with my previous SUB, it was worn through in several spots. I prefer professionally removed paint to the bare spots.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

I like the all black look too, but mine had a big spot of missing paint that looked pretty bad. Same with my previous SUB, it was worn through in several spots. I prefer professionally removed paint to the bare spots.

well in that case your sins are absolved.

 

[shrigg]

well in that case your sins are absolved.

Whew!

But really the main reason I posted that is my realization that the black is nitro and the clear underneath it is poly.
Careful removal of the black as I described leaves the factory sealed clear finish intact.

I did not know that on my previous SUB and I sanded everything down to bare wood.
That was alright, but this one came out MUCH nicer. For those that like that kinda thing anyway.

 

[odarellmc]

Does the acetone make paint peel off easily and how long should u leave it on so I don't damage the poly underneath..

 

[shrigg]

Does the acetone make paint peel off easily and how long should u leave it on so I don't damage the poly underneath..

It doesn't peel, you need to rub the hell out of it with lots of acetone and then the paint starts to melt and rub away. The acetone does not affect the poly at all so don't worry about rubbing till the black is gone, applying generous amounts of acetone as needed. You'll see. I'd suggest wearing latex gloves or your hands will be black for days.

 

[odarellmc]

It doesn't peel, you need to rub the hell out of it with lots of acetone and then the paint starts to melt and rub away. The acetone does not affect the poly at all so don't worry about rubbing till the black is gone, applying generous amounts of acetone as needed. You'll see. I'd suggest wearing latex gloves or your hands will be black for days.

Got it..thx!

 

[CBNJ]

Hi guys,

I played a SUB4 today at GC, and it was my favorite out of about 10 different basses. What's the deal with these?

 

[dukeisdog]

Heres a few pictures of my SUB4, I picked it up about a month and a bit ago and can't get enough of the tone. Really happy I found one locally!

Can sort of see how my neck is wearing, but I kinda like it.