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Guys, I'm humbled, though I would gig any of the top 3 basses and several others as well. I dare say that if everyone in the competition had daily access to the woodworking gear I do, an extra month, and no looming deadline, the level of competition would have been even higher than it already was. Hell, Mapleglo would have 14 basses finished by now.
That figure is stunning! Agree on the delights of the first application of oil. Although for me that’s always tempered by the revealing of spots that need more sanding...
I went through that on the walnut fretless I just finished. This time I sanded the bass until I was absolutely sure it was ready for finish and then waited till the next day and went over it all again just in case. I'm in love with the 3m super fine sanding pads. With my highly rounded shape the foam pads are perfect for giving a smooth feeling before finish. I even use the worn out pads to sand the ebony fingerboard. The flexible pad gets between the frets nicely and it leaves a great finished surface on the fingerboard while cleaning off your frets.
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Just finished the 3rd coat of Teak oil and so far I'm loving it.
We're starting to get a really nice sheen as well.
There's a part of me that always wants a thicker, more protective finish than just oil and my plan was to let the teak oil dry and then add a few coats of tru-oil to build up an actual protective layer. Problem is this teak oil looks and feels so nice that I'm inclined to just do 2 or 3 more coats and call it done. I think I'll do a scrap piece with tru-oil and see how I like it compared to the oil but that wise inner voice that only occasionally checks in is telling me it's dumb to risk a mistake on something you're already perfectly happy with. I guess we'll soon see who the wise one is around here.
We're starting to get a really nice sheen as well.
There's a part of me that always wants a thicker, more protective finish than just oil and my plan was to let the teak oil dry and then add a few coats of tru-oil to build up an actual protective layer. Problem is this teak oil looks and feels so nice that I'm inclined to just do 2 or 3 more coats and call it done. I think I'll do a scrap piece with tru-oil and see how I like it compared to the oil but that wise inner voice that only occasionally checks in is telling me it's dumb to risk a mistake on something you're already perfectly happy with. I guess we'll soon see who the wise one is around here.
My motto: If it aint broke, fix it until it is!
As Red Green would say, “If it ain’t broke, you’re not trying hard enough.”
"Spare the duct tape, spoil the child"
Most of the 'oil' finishes we use are actually 'wiping varnish,' meaning that they are a blend of oil and resin, like any conventional varnish, but with higher proportion of oil and with enough solvent to make them penetrate well and lay flat when wiped. Watco is a wiping varnish and so is Tru Oil. I have used both, and it seems to me that TO has more resin and more gloss, so yes it might be a bit more scratch resistant. But the two finishes are chemically quite similar.
To my eye, the Watco just looks nicer and more 'real.' If I went for a TO top coat, I'd try to knock down the shine with 0000 steel wool or 2000 grit sandpaper, because it looks very varnishy to me.
No matter what you choose you can't spoil the awsomeness of that walnut. What a beautiful build!
To my eye, the Watco just looks nicer and more 'real.' If I went for a TO top coat, I'd try to knock down the shine with 0000 steel wool or 2000 grit sandpaper, because it looks very varnishy to me.
No matter what you choose you can't spoil the awsomeness of that walnut. What a beautiful build!
Howdy folks. Seeing all the great builds you guys have started for the current build-off reminded me that I never followed up on this thread from last year. Since you stuck with me through the build I thought I'd share the end result. It's been a fun bass to have around, though if I made it again I would shorten the scale length from 35" to 34"or even 33" to lower the string tension a bit.
Thank you guys again for following this build at the time and good luck on the current build-off. I'm tempted to join in but I've got other obligations to fill so I'll be watching from the sideline and enjoying everyone else's work.
Thank you guys again for following this build at the time and good luck on the current build-off. I'm tempted to join in but I've got other obligations to fill so I'll be watching from the sideline and enjoying everyone else's work.
- Apr 18, 2008
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- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Who do we have to petition for a ginormous LIKE button?! This bass deserves it. 
Frickin’ awesome, great looking bass.
Frickin’ awesome, great looking bass.
Still, the best looking walnut I've ever seen.
Bass looks good, too.
Bass looks good, too.
Really amazing work and gorgeous bass.
You probably mentioned it earlier, but what is the control layout?
You probably mentioned it earlier, but what is the control layout?
Really amazing work and gorgeous bass.
You probably mentioned it earlier, but what is the control layout?
The three larger knobs are master volume, pickup blend, and a passive tone knob. The three smaller knobs are the bass, mid, and treble knobs of the Nordstrand preamp.
