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Stripping Down a P-Bass

Jack

Jack

Sep 6, 2003
3,034
1,750
Northumberland, UK
#1
Not quite sure where this should go, Im going to try it here.

My first bass was a Squire P in black finish but im tired of it now. Id love to strip it down and refinish it in its natural glory. But the problem is that Im concerned about the quality of the wood. I dont want to spend my well-earned dosh only to find a hideous piece of wood underneath the black.

Help! Should I Do It?

Jack
 
#4
Remove a bit of the finish under the pickguard, therefore, if you don't like it, you put the pickguard back on and keep the black...

One more thing: I've got a '83 Japanese Squier P that was sanded down and is now in a natural/orange transparent colour. It isn't the best looking wood, but it looks very nice to me!
 
#8
Check my first post of this thread, there's a link there with a pic of the bass. It isn't plywood, that's for shure...

If that doesn't work, check out Link Removed in the 'gallery' section, there might be a pic of the bass (it's the orange one)

PM if all the above does not work!

Laterz
 
#9
What you most likely will find is that in producing the solid color/painted bass, they (the manufacture) use essentially scrap wood. Or better put, small pieces glued together to make the proper size to make the bass. This is not really a bad thing when it comes to it being a bass, but it may not be the best looking slab of wood. The grain won't match, color of the wood may be off, knots, etc. I say go for it. If ya don't like it, paint it black.

AW
 
#12
Soeey Pöl, must have missed the link. That doesnt look half bad actually, but if there were any knots, it would suck, bad. The agony of choice. If I stripped it down and then had to refinish it it would put me way out of pocket, and im only 14. :bawl:

Too all who have stripped it down: Any knots?
The grain not matching wouldnt really bother me but a huge black dot certainly would.
 
#13
Mr.Jack, I'm sure you'll have the same crappy result as everyone but Pöl...Squiers made in Japan in the eighties were actually pretty good quality, not like the crap they pour out of Korea these days...and you wonder why they all have solid colors...
 
#15
Originally posted by Mr.Jack
Not quite sure where this should go, Im going to try it here.

My first bass was a Squire P in black finish but im tired of it now. Id love to strip it down and refinish it in its natural glory. But the problem is that Im concerned about the quality of the wood. I dont want to spend my well-earned dosh only to find a hideous piece of wood underneath the black.

Help! Should I Do It?

Jack
Click to expand...


I did it to mine, and the only thing wrong with it is all the bondo... but if you can get over the patches of bondo, it looks sexy.
 
#16
Originally posted by tplyons
Mr.Jack, I'm sure you'll have the same crappy result as everyone but Pöl...Squiers made in Japan in the eighties were actually pretty good quality, not like the crap they pour out of Korea these days...and you wonder why they all have solid colors...
Click to expand...

Actually nowadays they're from indonesia. The koreans are actually making some good stuff. Just look at the stuff from Rondo Music. :cool:
 
#20
i am only 14 as well and was pondering this same idea today. although i have already decided i am making mine a fretless i was actually wanting to srip it and but the transparent orange finish on it my ibanez is transparent red and looks quite nice but i guess i will take the pick guard off and see what the wood looks like under there and then decide.
 

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