FuNkShUi

Speak to AndyJR1515 and ask him to make one for you. I had a "dream bass". Now i own a dream bass!

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1477907418' post='3165105'] Just an idea - I'd practice shaking your glitter over a large area. If you put an A4 sheet of paper in a cardboard box, you could have several practices and recycle your glitter. I think the most difficult part (apart from building up lots of lacquer afterwards) is to get an even distribution [/quote] Good suggestion. I'll definitely do something along those lines.

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1477904256' post='3165069'] Great stuff . Look forward to seeing the results. My wife has reminded me that it is a method of spraying pottery glaze onto pots that can be done the hand blowing method. I'll try to dig out the details in case the shaker approach isn't any good. [/quote] That'd be good. This is every chance my shaker method won't look and i'll need to explore other avenues

Didn't have as much time as i thought i would this weekend, but on Sunday i had about 90 mins between coming home from one trip, and going out for another. Seeing as my kid had fallen asleep in the car and it wasn't raining, i decided to take the opportunity to do some stripping with the heat gun on my front lawn so i could hear him if he woke up Here's the venue Here's the before So my plan was to methodically, and slowly move the heat gun up and down whilst then using the scraper to remove the poly once it was hot enough. My first issue, how do you know when it's hot enough? I didn't know for certain. So i kept moving the heat gun until the paint started coming off. I applied a bit of downward pressure and held the heat gun at about 45 degrees, and moved it in horizontal strips of about 20 cm. Like so... As i was doing this i thought maybe i should start using the heat gun "vertically", in the same direction the fretboard runs. (tuners to bridge) Truthfully, i don't know if this made a difference, but in my mind, as the grain was running that direction, that made sense, so that's what i did. After finishing the front we had something that looked like this Now, as you can see, on the right hand side where the controls wood go, the wood looks a lot more bare. I wasn't sure If this was what was meant to happen, or if i'd gone too deep. I left it like that and started working on the back. Now i don't know if the poly was thinner on the back through wear or if it was just thinner in the first place, but first pass on the heat gun yielded different results. Maybe i held the heat gun longer, or moved it slower? It wasn't apparent that i had, but here is what the back looked like after about 5 minutes.... As you can see, it's right down to the wood, with burn marks on some sections. A couple of things learnt. I hadn't gone deep enough on the front and I had moved the gun too slowly on the back (i guessed that is what caused the scorched bits). So i moved back to the front, and tried to move the gun a little quicker.... Still not quick enough I think because the top layer had already come off, i should have moved the gun, quicker again. Nevermind! This is all trial and error. Now i have sanded the burnt areas and they look much better, but i wanted to show how i had burnt it, so the mistakes are clear to anyone thinking of having a bash at something similar. Slow and steady is the way to go, so that you're not literally scraping the paint off. But not too slow. If the paint "blisters" you've probably held the gun on one point too long. Need to find the "Goldilocks speed". Will post a picture of the naked and sanded down bass once i have stripped the sides too. Hoping to get that done tonight. I've ordered the flake i want, and the base, primer and clear sealant. Will then start on a test piece to see how it looks before committing to using the paint a shake on method . More soon...

That's very good of you Andy. My sister is very skilled at art and craft type stuff, and suggested a kind of shaker method to apply the glitter. Basically a Pringle type tube, with holes in the bottom slightly bigger than the flake. Just acts like a salt shaker really. I'm going to give that a go first, as like i said, i'd like to see what kind of a results a true novice can get, using low cost methods. I have no illusions this is going to be anywhere near the quality of build that a lot of you more seasoned builders get. But i will hopefully learn from the whole experience. I'll document it all (the good and bad), so if someone else who is inexperienced fancies a go with minimum expenditure, they can see where the mistakes were made. Which leads me on nicely to this past weekends activities.......

I appreciate what you're saying. But i'm trying to do this on a budget and a proper spray can will take me over. I'm awaiting the flake and base i've ordered, hopefully do some test strips this weekend.

Here's an entry for this month. Recorded with a Samsung Galaxy voice recorder app, placed next the my Fender Rumble 15 https://soundcloud.com/tona-fied/halloween-noodle-m4a

Its all new to me so im going to try a few test strips this weekend hopefully Cheers Manton

Thanks Manton. I knew they weren't Aerosols. I assumed (wrongly) that i applied the flake to a clear coat. Dusting it on. I assumed that's what JimRyan did on his thread? No problem though, i will have a look at the suppliers you have mentioned. I have a respirator so at least that is one thing i don't need to buy

Thanks everyone for the advice so far. I will be wanting/ needing more ScrumpyMike - I had seen some nice champagne flip paint type metallic flake. But to be honest i am going for shocking. Like i said, i want this bass to be very different to the two i have. Bass apprentice - don't think i have enough time to get into this "proper". But having seen all the great builds i really fancied doing something small, to see what kind of results i could get. Norris - I like the sound of CAR with a gold flake. I'm going to try go for a finish like the link Mykesbass provided so wont see too much of the undercoat. 3Below - What do you mean by "key the existing finish"? I really am a complete beginner, and as such everything needs to be explained Manton - After reading your comment i'm guessing "keying" is just a roughing up of the surface to make the subsequent coats apply better? Im not worried about the thickness of coats. And im pretty careful so cant envisage massive dings. And if it happens, i'll deal with that then. I didn't realise applying on top of the poly was an option. (its definitely not nitro) I agree it isn't an easy option, and there's a good chance of me messing it up, but i'm ok with that. If that happens, i can always strip off and start again Quite like JimRyans method of doing it, and i like how his looked in the end too. OK, i think i have made a decision to try out the multiple flake madness method. What's the worst that could happen?? I'm going to go for these three: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metallic-Polyester-Cut-Custom-Car-Bike-Paint-RUBY-SLIPPER-RED-Metal-Flake-25g-/161990102573?hash=item25b75cce2d:g:RgMAAOSwe7BW0K~j http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metallic-Polyester-Cut-Custom-Car-Bike-Paint-COPPER-Metal-Flake-25g-/172115297033?hash=item2812df0309:g:WjsAAOSwuAVW0Kw4 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metallic-Polyester-Cut-Custom-Car-Bike-Paint-GOLD-Metal-Flake-25g-/151996322766?hash=item2363afd3ce:g:YLkAAOSw~OVW0Kvo I'll try them on a test piece first, but there is every chance i will just go for it too So baring in mind i have no clue what i'm doing, what base coat should i use? Colour and brand? After applying the base coat, is there anything i need to do before trying to apply the flake? Thanks everyone so far. All comments appreciated!

Yeh not sure best way to go about that but i've got a bit of work to get to that stage so i have time! What do you think about putting the two types of flake together Andy? Potential? Or too much? This really is a fly by the seat of my pants affair for me so i'm more than willing to take a risk haha

Here's a few questions for those who have more experience than me..... What would happen if i used five different colours of metal flake mixed together? Something like this: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/metal-flake-a-5-different-colour-pack-for-custom-work-/380207642919?hash=item5886243927:m:mI2F--DqBeMz78kcMXOpG5A"]http://www.ebay.co.u...BeMz78kcMXOpG5A[/url] Or even just two? Like these two: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DK-PURPLE-200-MICRONS-METAL-FLAKE-100-GRAM-BAGS-/162254496186?hash=item25c71f21ba:g:MIsAAOxyLN9Se~Pt and http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RED-GOLD-200-MICRONS-METAL-FLAKE-100-GRAMS-BAGS-/152293744763?hash=item23756a207b:g:P28AAOxyTMdTKaAg I'm not going for "conservative" here If i did go for something like this, what colour base coat would you use? White im guessing? Or a inca silver kinda thing?

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1477565560' post='3162981'] Nice Project Kert. I usually carry a backup bass (for paying gigs) and sometimes I end up playing in a jam session - so sometimes need to travel very light. So IMO, it's handy to keep a small-ish, lightweight bass in the stable for such occasions I've heard good things about the quality of Encore basses, or at least the earlier Indian made models of their P bass. Not heard any in depth reports about their short scale basses though, so I'd be interested to hear your thoughts once this has been fully upgraded. A bit of sparkle could be nice on a budget project like this, but I have to say, I do like sunburst - especially on a fender shaped bass Good luck with this project, and keep us posted Marc [/quote] I can't common on stock sound quality, as i didn't even plug it in! I know, bit stupid of me, but like i said i already had in my ind this was going to be a project so i got started straight away. It certainly looks well made though. The neck fits in the pocket brilliantly and the truss rod turns freely. Really happy with my "starting point". I'm not a sunburst guy. I usually just like the wood to show through. But im guessing after i remove this paint, that won't be a viable option. So metallic and shiny it will be [quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1477568675' post='3163016'] Looks like you're almost there - apart from the tricky job of stripping/re-finishing. Are you doing that with aerosols? [/quote] I have no experience whatsoever, i was going to use a heatgun and scraper, and then just use sandpaper. Happy to take any direction/suggestions though! My sister teaches art, and is very crafty and has suggested a few other sparkly touches. Should be good!!

Ok so this will be my first project of any type, so all help/hints/advice is appreciated!! My plan is to buy a short scale bass, and upgrade the hardware that i think will make a difference to the sound, and give it a metallic finish(of some kind). I've also got a few other ideas, but we'll see about them when we get there . Hopefully i'll end up with a totally giggable bass, that is easy on the shoulder. I have a pre existing shoulder injury from rugby. With the gigging schedule getting busier, it'd be good to have this extremely lightweight option, should i need it. If possible, i want to keep the spending to below £200. So here is what i picked up: Its a Encore short scale bass. Just the job! Weighs about 5.5Llbs So my plan is to upgrade the pickups, the bridge, the tuners, the wiring loom, get some tidy strings, and refinish the body in a metallic flake. I was very lucky to get this bass off Mark, who is "Only4" on this forum. He offered me the bass with a Hipshot A type bridge already on it. Result! Also came with a string tree, which is something i hadn't considered, but i like the look of it now its there! Mark originally had Gotoh resolite tuners and a set of Bareknuckle pickups on it too, but because i only wanted to spend a certain amount, we agreed he would put the original parts back on so i can stay within my budget. All good by me. The bass arrived and had some really nice tuners on it, and after speaking to Mark he explained he couldn't fit the original tuners back on after drilling the holes bigger for the Gotoh tuners. So what i had was some Gotoh styled tuners from his bit box. They are great. I wont be needing to change them. Also included is a upgraded wiring loom! Cheers Mark. Top banana. This modding business is easy I've bought some Entwistle Neodynium PBXN pickups off McNach (jose) after reading all the good reviews on them. Cheers Jose And i've bought a couple of sets of shortscale Picato strings off Pow22 (Paul). Some good people on this forum have allowed me to get most the stuff i need, well under budget. Good work Basschat peoples. First thing to do is take it all apart so the guitar is ready for me to remove the paint. So i've done that: I'm lucky that Andyjr1515 (Andy) is willing to help me with bits of advice when i bug him with questions, and please, anyone see anything or have suggestions, feel free to chip in. I've also taken the pickguard off, and disconnected the pickups from the pots, i just forgot to take pictures of this. This weekend i hopefully will get started on removing the paint with a heatgun and scraper initially, before attacking it with various degrees of sandpaper. Watch this space Any suggestions for colour? I'm thinking metallic orange flake with a matching headstock and either a black or metallic grey pickguard

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1477490713' post='3162562'] Just remember, Wheatus were doing it since the late 90s... [/quote] That was why it didn't catch on

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1477487618' post='3162539'] an electric kit with you and the guitarist on modellers would be immense - especially if you are on ears. [/quote] That's the dream

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1477399177' post='3161958'] This. It's the only sensible solution to such a problem [/quote] Ha! That works too

Keep going, and wait for him to get back in time. I don't understand how or why you would do it any other way. The song is the song, so would 3 (or more depending on band members) of you stop and try to re-adjust to whatever part of the song the drummer thinks he is on? This could lead to even bigger a cock up if all three of you aren't really sure where the drummer thinks he is. Or do the three of you carry on, and wait for the drummer slip back in (hopefully relatively smoothly)? Yes. Do this.

Some good noodles this month everyone. Nice work. My laptop has broke so i haven't been able to contribute lately. But in the spirit of things i may make a recording off my phone later today. Warning though - Sound quality will be awful!!

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1477130490' post='3159998'] Although they are sometimes viewed as a bit of a poor relation, I highly rate the DiMarzios I fitted a Model P to Kert's Camphor single cut PJ based on very good user reviews and it sounds wonderful. The Model One I've just fitted to the EB3 style present build is equally impressive. [/quote] The DiMarzios are excellent. I haven't considered changing them

Jose was super easy to deal with. Not that it needs saying after all this other glowing feedback previous to mine, but deal in confidence. Jose is a top banana

Not a problem for me, he tunes up at start of each set. If he had crap tuners though, i'd prefer he did tune up between songs rather than play with some strings out of tune. Aslong as it's a silent tuner and he doesn't take longer than a few seconds I suppose.

Bought some strings from Paul Communication was swift, and easy. Blinked twice and they were at my door the next day. Nice one

My AJR Singlecut that Andy from this very parish built. Don't need anything else. I have a Warwick Streamer, but that is now tucked away in the spare room in a heavy duty flightcase to keep it protected.

One good video I've seen for working out basslines if you struggle to freely come up with concepts is shown here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX1UM9oH5ss Must admit, i'm not on scotts bass academy or anyting like that. But everything i have seen of his i've enjoyed, and this video is a brilliant way of working out grooves. It's a long watch, but if you want to find ways to write good grooves, i think it's brilliant.