Double Bass Stripping lacquer off a Shen

[bassically_eli]

Ha! Casey Vancouver.That was my moms name and she was married in Vancouver ) The thought of turning that into a hybrid has me intrigued, but the carving skills are way over my head. I am looking for a 1/2 hybrid for sale close to southern Oregon. The Romanian hybrid 1/2 from Southwest strings is looking good but have been warned about green asian fingerboards falling off.

Gollihur lists the fully carved Estle Louis in 1/2 size for only $2825. The hybrid EL is only listed in 3/4 size unfortunately, but maybe he could do a special order?

Estle Louis Fully Carved 'Performer' Bass

Are you interested in a hybrid for durability reasons or for the price? At Gollihur's prices, the carved is only $225 more than the hybrid.

 

[Dan Hannum]

Yes. Durability reasons #1(abusive gigging situations: salt air/tight playing/stage space etc) #2 Sound(luthiers have assured an improvement) #3 Looks (ugliest plywood and goopy lacquer I've ever seen on my Shen) Sadly, I'm done with carved solid wood basses . My 1910 Bohemian flatback was an extreme liability and my present EH Roth is up for sale.

 

[John Sprague]

Hey Dan,
Paul and I were just discussing your idea of stripping the varnish off your 80. It's nitrocel, anything that will strip lacquer should work. However you might run into issues when introducing chemicals that could penetrate the veneer and cause trouble below. I'd hate to see it delaminate! You might find it much easier to upgrade to the 88 or 150 in half size.

 

[Dan Hannum]

Thanks John. What I did discover with a test strip was that the shade/color coat IS the top coat and the meat and potatoes clearcoat underneath is a catalyzed lacquer or conversion varnish. Now, not a recommended task. Why? CV's and Cat Lacs are super fortified. They wont strip with anything that doesn't contain methelyne chloride, which was banned nationwide a couple of years ago. MC wont disturb the glue , lye/tsp will destroy the bass . Sanding the bass is a crapshoot, only to be attempted by the most seasoned pro. The top veneers so thin theyre linked with the lacquer pretty deeply.
I am working with Doug Heydon in Springfield OR who will consign my old Roth carved and maybe talk me into a 150hybrid. I wish wood aethstetics werent such an issue. Shens sound good and are built to last.