SHOW YOUR DISTRESSED FINISHES!

[JIO]

I get the reaction, but the lines seem to be more linear than the random direction lines of air blaster/hair dryer method and that is what has me stumped. Why would heat/cold method change the way the lines form?

I think getting the whole body evenly heated, and then evenly treated to cold (ala oven or heat-lamp room and freezer) is the key to evenness but can't answer related to direction of the checking.

 

[JIO]

I've always thought those Mustangs were cool looking.
Would love to own one, but finding a lefty model would both be challenging, and spendy.

I believe @jmjbassplayer pushed for a lefty model of his signature Mustang, but that has yet to come into fruition.

Not certain if Fender ever did a lefty Mustang bass, but it seems likely as it was originally sold as a 'student' bass and designed to make them more attractive to a young new player, who could be either right & left handed. Or at least it sounds logical to make both if they wanted to make more money.

 

[2saddleslab]

warm, then cold.

I get the reaction, but the lines seem to be more linear than the random direction lines of air blaster/hair dryer method and that is what has me stumped. Why would heat/cold method change the way the lines form?

On top of that, MJT gives you the choice of broken glass or straight checking. Would love to know how they do each.

 

[JIO]

On top of that, MJT gives you the choice of broken glass or straight checking. Would love to know how they do each.

Didn't know that - I would have chosen straight anyway!

 

[2saddleslab]

Didn't know that - I would have chosen straight anyway!

I've got one of each. Just in case.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I *think *for the horizontal, they score the surface with a razor first

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

I think getting the whole body evenly heated, and then evenly treated to cold (ala oven or heat-lamp room and freezer) is the key to evenness but can't answer related to direction of the checking.

That seems sensible an explanation as any. Thanks. I like both effects but the linear checks seem more "natural", but then Ive seen random directional lines that looked good too. I can see where heating/cooling a smaller area at a time would yield the more random lines. Science right?

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

On top of that, MJT gives you the choice of broken glass or straight checking. Would love to know how they do each.

Exactly...and I've never worked with them so I didn't know there were choices. Wow! More mystery to keep me up at night.

 

[God's Favorite Bass]

I've got one of each. Just in case.

Yes you do. Sexy 1 and Sexy 2.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I ve read that another way is warm it and chill it using a compressed air canister held upside down, so the fluid spits out.

 

[micguy]

Here's some real age checking - wonder what determines the linear direction?

Wood shrinks and swells across the fibers - it's relatively static along the direction of the fibers. Since the finish doesn't move as much, it tends to crack in line with the fibers - the lines appear parallel with the strings, since that's the way people orient the wood fibers when making bodies. The artificial cracks that go the other way don't look right to me.

 

[JIO]

Wood shrinks and swells across the fibers - it's relatively static along the direction of the fibers. Since the finish doesn't move as much, it tends to crack in line with the fibers - the lines appear parallel with the strings, since that's the way people orient the wood fibers when making bodies. The artificial cracks that go the other way don't look right to me.

Only partially answers the question... here's an '80s G&L with (real) checking going side-to-side.

 

[JIO]

I *think *for the horizontal, they score the surface with a razor first

That technique has been done - but (see above) it happens naturally and my MJT finish is process checked, not hand done.

 

[JIO]

SHOW TIME!!

Not certain if their back-story is authentic, but even still it's well worth their asking price. (no affiliation) Seriously, if this was a commission of mine - doing what has been done on this J would cost what they're asking. (with a tour quality HSC no less!)

It qualifies for "distressed" due to the hs-face damage. Anyone here who buys it, I can fix the hs so it looks like nothing happened.

Fender Silver Foil “Jackson Five” Jazz Bass | eBay
And if the basses history is correct - that's pretty damn cool!

oops! I posted this in the Precision Bass club by mistake! Deleted it there and moved it here, where it belongs!

 

[lowphatbass]

SHOW TIME!!

Not certain if their back-story is authentic, but even still it's well worth their asking price. (no affiliation) Seriously, if this was a commission of mine - doing what has been done on this J would cost what they're asking. (with a tour quality HSC no less!)

It qualifies for "distressed" due to the hs-face damage. Anyone here who buys it, I can fix the hs so it looks like nothing happened.

Fender Silver Foil “Jackson Five” Jazz Bass | eBay
And if the basses history is correct - that's pretty damn cool!

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oops! I posted this in the Precision Bass club by mistake! Deleted it there and moved it here, where it belongs!

What’s with the string through situation? That’s kind of an odd mod...I guess if that had a fat finger on there maybe they were trying to pin down a dead spot or something.

 

[JIO]

What’s with the string through situation? That’s kind of an odd mod...I guess if that had a fat finger on there maybe they were trying to pin down a dead spot or something.

As stated in the copy - it's a more recent Fender so it's active and has string-thru. (not a mod - as from the factory) The hs damage is all too typical for a bass hs - turn quickly into something (mic stand/cymbal/amp/guitarist) and >BANG< ... that's the result!

 

[BigDrew]

As stated in the copy - it's a more recent Fender so it's active and has string-thru. (not a mod - as from the factory) The hs damage is all too typical for a bass hs - turn quickly into something (mic stand/cymbal/amp/guitarist) and >BANG< ... that's the result!

Active, string thru and three bolt??

 

[2saddleslab]

I accept checks.

Horizontal.

Broken glass.

 

[marchone]

I've had this Telecaster since 1971. It's naturally distressed from normal wear and tear.

It's going to Michael Dolan this week for a refurb including a fret job and contouring like @2saddleslab Dan's 51 Precision. Hence the Sharpie marks on the body. Dolan and I discussed a lot more but the next conversation will be after he receives it. No refinishing of the original nitro.

It'll be a funky looking player when it's done.

 

[2saddleslab]

I've had this Telecaster since 1971. All natural distress from normal wear and tear.

It's going to Michael Dolan this week for a refurb including a fret job and contouring like @2saddleslab Dan's 51 Precision. Hence the Sharpie marks on the body. Dolan and I discussed a lot more but the next conversation will be after he receives it. No refinishing of the original nitro.

It'll be a funky looking player when it's done.

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Interesting. You sure you want to mess with an all original beauty like that? Are you doing an arm contour as well? Mine was found already modded by a previous owner. I'm a firm believer in doing what works best for you. You've had this classic for almost 50 years and doubt you'll get rid of it.

Best of luck and hope it turns out exactly as you want. Keep us updated.