Winter Build Off 2023 - Acoustic/Electric Short Scale 5 String

[mapleglo]

I always feel slightly embarrassed with how messy my shop gets while I'm in a project; I like seeing other peoples messy shop's!

Are you spraying the V.U. or other water-based clear? And are you spraying the whole neck including fretboard?

Yes, the clear I'm using is from the rattle can version of Varathane Ultimate. And yes, I'm spraying the entire neck, including the fretboard. And my shop is almost always messy, not only when I'm working on a project

 

[BishopJP]

Yes, the clear I'm using is from the rattle can version of Varathane Ultimate. And yes, I'm spraying the entire neck, including the fretboard. And my shop is almost always messy, not only when I'm working on a project

View attachment 4970879

Maybe I should have said,"my shop gets messy-er..."

 

[mapleglo]

Another bunch of coats this morning in my tidy shop, after a bit of sanding.

I don't know how happy I am with the way the body is coming out. It's a bit blotchy. I probably should have gone with natural. Oh well. Perhaps it'll be ok once I sand it smooth.

 

[mapleglo]

Well, maybe it'll look better once I sand it to like 800 or 1000 grit. I don't like that it became so blotchy. If it doesn't improve, maybe I'll sand the clear off and just go with the epoxy cover. That didn't look too bad.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Heck, there’s time in the build off to change the color 2 maybe 3 more times.

 

[mapleglo]

Heck, there’s time in the build off to change the color 2 maybe 3 more times.

Heh, there's enough time to build an entire new bass from scratch!

 

[mapleglo]

The body did not look very good after sanding to 800 grit. Or even before, for that matter.

So I sanded off the clear, and most of the epoxy. Even sanded through the black in a few small spots.

Yeah, it looks even worse, but it's ready for a new coat of color. Or something. Who was the idiot that didn't listen to everyone who said that the body should remain natural and not to paint it black? Oh right, that was me. Well, live and learn. At least the neck is done.

Unless I want to paint the headstock face black. *No, you idiot, don't do it. Remember what happened with the body?* Sorry, just revealing a little of what goes on inside my head...

 

[Mark Knapp]

From the peanut gallery - perhaps you could paint it flat black so you can skip the sanding? I am not a fan of flat finishes for instruments, but that is an option.

 

[mapleglo]

From the peanut gallery - perhaps you could paint it flat black so you can skip the sanding? I am not a fan of flat finishes for instruments, but that is an option.

Yes, that is one option. And the most likely at this point. Or perhaps a semi gloss. I may take a couple of days to this about it.

 

[mapleglo]

No work on the bass today, went to the Renaissance Fair instead. Here's the costume at home.

And at the Fair:

I was wearing the shield on my back, using a guitar strap

 

[Mickey666]

I wear a Kilt when I go to the Faire, but I haven't been able to make it the last couple years.

 

[mapleglo]

I did some more work as a result of a decision I made yesterday. I ordered some more paint - a different kind, which is scheduled to arrive by the weekend. Because the new paint is not as textured as Duratex, I needed to sand the back smoother. So I laid down a thick coat of epoxy last night, and got to work sanding it smoother this morning.

I also sanded the top a bit more. Some of the epoxy ran down to the top, so I needed to sand that off. After that, I laid down yet another coat of epoxy resin. I'll probably repeat that process a couple more times this week, while I wait for the paint to arrive. If I am unable to smooth the back sufficiently, I'll pick up some Bondo from HD, and do some fill.

 

[Beej]

And I was today years old when I learned that a Renaissance Faire was not just an episode of the Simpsons but a thing that apparently Americans do all over their country.

 

[Mickey666]

And I was today years old when I learned that a Renaissance Faire was not just an episode of the Simpsons but a thing that apparently Americans do all over their country.

LOL, I been doing faires since the late 70's

 

[Beej]

LOL, I been doing faires since the late 70's

I kinda feel like I need to see one in person now.

 

[Mickey666]

Even if you're not into the medieval/fantasy thing, they're a lot of fun.
Always find something you're unlikely to see anywhere else.

 

[Mickey666]

Sorry, not trying to derail here...

 

[mapleglo]

Sorry, not trying to derail here...

Talking about the Renaissance Fair in any of my threads is never a derail. We go every year, multiple times. When I lived back east, I used to go to the New York Renaissance Fair. I likely went 20 years running. And the only time I missed it here, was during the pandemic when it was closed for a year. Anyway...

I likely sanded off a pound of resin from the back. It's much smoother now, but I'll likely sand it again at least one more time before I resort to using Bondo.

Y'all are probably sick of seeing what appears to be the same image over and over again. Frankly, I'm sick of it. But we're in the home stretch. In a few days, at least it'll be a different color.

 

[mapleglo]

I kinda feel like I need to see one in person now.

And yes, you do need to see one. They are lots of fun. Everything is outrageously expensive, but if you just stick to the food, drink, and shows, a person get usually get out of there for under $50 per person. It's the nerdy thing to do

 

[Videojunkie]

Probably one of my favorite re-enactor bands. Wolgemut. They played in our camp for one of my friends weddings. It was epic!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m_UW2afGJ9gUA2ls7jUUGK_ZuWemqaNdw