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Thinking of refinishing a Spector

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by EBBassMan, Jul 24, 2009.

  1. Jul 24, 2009 #1
    EBBassMan

    EBBassMan

    Mar 18, 2007
    Kew Gardens, New York
    I have a Spector NS2000/5 neck thru that's been my main backup for years. I upgraded the pups and preamp to active EMG's and an 18V HAZ setup. I was considering selling it for a while, because I'm just more comfortable on EBMM necks - the Bongo neck specifically.

    However, I don't think I'll ever be able to get back even half what I put into it, so I'm thinking about keeping it and refinishing it. Right now it's got a really thick red lacquer on it - the factory finish. Ideally, I'd like to sand it off and refinish with tung oil.

    I'm just wondering if this is something that would be possible for an amateur to do, or if it's even worth it. Any thoughts/ideas/advice would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Jul 24, 2009 #2
    mikeyswood

    mikeyswood Inactive

    Jul 22, 2007
    Cincinnati OH
    Luthier of Michael Wayne Instruments
    search
     
  3. Jul 25, 2009 #3
    EBBassMan

    EBBassMan

    Mar 18, 2007
    Kew Gardens, New York
    Gee, Mikey, I hadn't thought of that. Maybe then I would have found threads such as these:

    http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=389438
    http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=463459
    http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=551234
    http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=324202
    http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=253668
    http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71519


    All about refinishing Spectors, but none of which really address the question I had, which was about removing the thick factory finish on it. But I guess I should just read old information and shut up. Nothing new to contribute here. :rolleyes:
     
  4. Jul 25, 2009 #4
    mikeyswood

    mikeyswood Inactive

    Jul 22, 2007
    Cincinnati OH
    Luthier of Michael Wayne Instruments
    Perhaps your success will improve by being a smart-ass...

    If you do not know how to remove the current finish then you will probably want to talk to a pro.
     
  5. Jul 25, 2009 #5
    EBBassMan

    EBBassMan

    Mar 18, 2007
    Kew Gardens, New York
    My point is this.... this is something I would like to try as a project. It's not something I would do on an expensive bass, or any of my main basses, or anything like that. If I screw it up, well, then I can sell off the pups and the preamp separately and chalk it up to a lesson learned. It's not something that's important enough for me to have professionally done.

    So without being a smartass, I can't find anything specifically on removing this super thick type of finish. Does anyone have experience with these basses (or anything like them)?

    Additionally, the stock pre had 4 knobs. The HAZ I put in has 3. I'm using a dummy pot at the moment to fill in the 4th hole, but what kind of wood filler would be good to use for a 1/4" hole that wouldn't look too terrible under a natural oil finish?
     
  6. Jul 25, 2009 #6
    mikeyswood

    mikeyswood Inactive

    Jul 22, 2007
    Cincinnati OH
    Luthier of Michael Wayne Instruments
    Sanding will clog even the best sandpaper and will cost an arm and a leg of supplies.

    A heat gun and scraper are a better approach to remove the majority. After that the sanding won't suck as much.

    Cutting a plug out of the same species and gluing it in the spare pot hole will make it disappear.
     
  7. Jul 26, 2009 #7
    EBBassMan

    EBBassMan

    Mar 18, 2007
    Kew Gardens, New York
    Thanks. I hadn't even thought about using a plug like that.

    Would you recommend using the heat gun/scraper on the neck too? Or would that cause warping?
     
  8. Jul 26, 2009 #8
    WayneS

    WayneS

    Apr 9, 2007
    Virginia
    That is exactly what he's trying to do.
     
  9. Jul 26, 2009 #9
    mikeyswood

    mikeyswood Inactive

    Jul 22, 2007
    Cincinnati OH
    Luthier of Michael Wayne Instruments
    Thanks. I was not able to tell from the OP's post :mad:

    There is nothing special about a Spector's finish. It will come off the same as any other budget production instrument.