Andyjr1515

Here's a fairly recent example of a spray-over-finish:

There are a number of ways to refinish - and there are many examples on these pages (Repairs & Technical and Build Diaries) if you scroll back through the history. The good thing is that many folks cover in the threads quite a bit of detail for their methods and the results so its well worth your while to pour yourself a beer/make yourself a flask of cocoa and spend an evening perusing through. In very broad terms, you can: Strip and varnish Strip and oil Strip, stain and varnish Strip, stain and oil Strip and paint Sand and over-paint Strip/semi strip and veneer And in terms of methods you can: Spray Airbrush Wipe Brush It's well worth having a look through the past threads, choose the look or method that appeals and, between us, I'm sure we can give you the 'tips / techniques / pros / cons / successes / disasters' stuff towards something you are going to be ultimately happy with

Well, all done, set up, sounds great, still weighs a ton I'm meeting Jack and Silvia tomorrow to pass it over. To protect the car the bass for the journey, I've popped it in one of my bass gig bags. Clearly it wants to have a peep to see where I'm taking it:

Very kind of the both of you. As the saying goes, you can never have too many swifts

One of the remaining tidying up jobs was this - the router cut from narrowing the neck heel: And I had an idea. And yes, @Happy Jack - there was always going to be at least one swift A trick I stumbled on a number of years ago was, with a 3-layer pickguard, you can rout through the top layer and expose the middle layer. Like this: And it's just the right thickness: Tidied up, it adds maybe a little je ne sais quoi?

And we have sound! And it sounds great!! Here's the chamber, complete with the CTS push/pull: The second set of strings that Jack had sent also sound and feel great Looks pretty cool as well as sounding pretty cool: Just a few finishing tweaks and final set up and it will be ready to pass back

Top notch.

Yup - and genuine

Nor me. That said, someone posted a while ago with something similar and the general view was that he'd bought the wrong length. Maybe, but maybe the same issue. I'll see if I can find it

OK - this is a new one... Starting the set up, the bottom E had a dreadful buzz on both 1st and 2nd frets. 3rd onwards, all good. It didn't take long to realise why: I reckon the bottom E in the sealed pack is a 32"short/medium scale! Anyone else come across this?? This is the pack - and this and the inner bag (which I still have) were both sealed, so clearly the error is at D'Addario's end: Weird!! Anyway, happily @Happy Jack sent me a choice of two sets of strings so I will use the other set and give him these back with the packaging for him to get a refund.

Phew I did have an escape plan but I think this works as it is

Something like this?

I have a couple of thoughts...I'll have another ponder ("Oh no - he's pondering again!!!!")

It's getting close. I've added a narrow sided pickup ring just to hide the gaps around the pickup: Not much left to do - swop the electrics, fit the string tree and then just a few tidying up things and set up. All being well, should be all done and dusted by the end of the weekend

Yup - it looks good. so no apology demanded @Richard R

If I thought I could do it without c*cking it up, I would say yes...so probably no

Well, no-one could accuse me of lacking in self-confidence but, word-not-allowed me, I was not expecting that! Just got to trim the excess round the sides and that bit is pretty much done

Last hole cutting job for the plate was the trussrod access. I used the same method as with the tuner holes: And then back to the trials. Well, I reckon that scotchbrite is indeed the way to go @Aidan63 This is the Dremel disc I was using for the previous trial, and pictured with it the 'hi-tech modification kit' : And modded: And..in action!!! As the saying goes...'that will do nicely' So - plate is now glued to the headstock (using the same impact adhesive) and, after a cup of tea, we shall see where we get to

Well, barring unforeseen events, I think, @Happy Jack , that you may well be able to go to the ball, Cinders

Good suggestions, all. Those tests were a dremel sanding disk in the pillar drill, which is the right size but has a flexible outer and a too-rigid inner. I will try bonding some scotchbrite (great minds @Aidan63 ! ) onto the disc which would maybe even out the pressure. If that doesn't work I'll have a try of wood/grinding paste as @JPJ and @itu suggest. I have plenty of aluminium sheet to practice on and I know that @Happy Jack has the absolute patience of a saint 😇

If you have the choice, I would say before every time. If you are going to be using radius blocks with sandpaper, there is a LOT of sanding involved - it doubles the difficulty if you are trying to clamp a neck at the same time.

Banking on the hoover sounding louder than the pillar drill, and risking that it will be a few moments before MrsAndyjr1515 realises that the sound of the hoover is actually coming from the cellar rather than the spare bedroom... ...it'll take a bit of practice and more trial and error and probably a different sand pad but I reckon we can get at least into the realm of 'essence of':

Only the best for a @Happy Jack job!

Well, MrsAndjr1515 tells me that I am out of time for the rest of the day (as @Aidan63 guessed I might be ) , but it's been quite a productive afternoon. I set out just to experiment how best to cut the aluminium sheet but it went a bit better than that. And so - this is 0.2mm aluminium sheet. And it is proper strong and resilient sheet. But - it's actually just thin enough to be able to cut at least the outline with some decent scissors - and without deforming! Ignore the swirly bits, I was just experimenting. Hmmm...it's a long shot, but I might be able to use this as a real version rather than just a trial... But how to cut out the tuner holes. Clearly scissors can't be used and it's too thick for a Stanley knife. But maybe a curved chisel? I tapped both sides round the circle and then stuck the Stanley knife in every mm or so round the work-hardened punch line and, with a little bit of wiggling, the bonds snapped and the centre came out fine: Then, a clean-up with the Stanley knife to the pen line: And I just have the truss rod access and final external shape trimming to do...which will have to wait until I've served my penance helped round the house a bit, starting with hoovering the little bits of sharp aluminium stuck in the spare bedroom carpet Oh...and the weight? 8 grammes - exactly half way between the weight of a gnat's whatsit and a smidgen! Who'd have thought?!!

I've got aluminium, I've got CTS pots, including one of their push-pulls for the series/parallel. What I don't have any more is...any excuse not to just get on with it!