kevin_lindsay Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 (edited) Okay, so some of you may have seen the thread I posted a few weeks ago regarding the refinish I did on my Fender Eric Johnson Strat ( http://basschat.co.uk/topic/163365-refinishing-fender-strat/ ). [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/8583f087.jpg[/IMG] It turned out so well that I've decided to refinish my Fender USA '62 Reussue Jazz Bass (currently Olympic White) in Shell Pink!!! So, I'll plot the progress here: Here's the "before" pics http://basschat.co.uk/topic/163365-refinishing-fender-strat/ Custom made celluloid scratchplte (I prefer it to the standard fender ones they currently use) [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/5f41a7ce.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/da2b3e8c.jpg[/IMG] I've removed the hardware. Neck is dated 17th Novrmber 2008 [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/c2e14bbb.jpg[/IMG] Edited January 22, 2012 by kevin_lindsay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 (edited) Hardware is off the body. As I mentioned in the Strat refinish thread, if your bass has a nitro finish you can remove it without sanding or scraping. All you do is soak a rag with cellulose thinners and rub it onto the lacquer. The lacquer simply wipes off!! [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/2180406e.jpg[/IMG] I've left the shielding plates in the pickup and control cavities while refinishing as they are secured in place by little triangular metal wedges. These wedges are also soldered to the shielding plates, so removing the would be avreal pain. [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/9515eed0.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/c871f5dc.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/621cc986.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/bf71edc4.jpg[/IMG] When I get round to applying the new lacquer, I'll mask off the shielding plates with masking tape. That'll allow the new finish to be applied to the pickup and control cavity Walls without affecting the plates. Edited January 29, 2012 by kevin_lindsay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted January 22, 2012 Author Share Posted January 22, 2012 (edited) The wiping off of the existing lacquer is messy, and the thinners stink, but it's not terribly hard, just time consuming. The polyester sealer coat isn't affected by the cellulose thinners, so you end up with a natural finish which is ready to receive the new finish. [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/d2885cd1.jpg[/IMG] More pics will follow whenever I've got free time to do some more work. Edited January 29, 2012 by kevin_lindsay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Man, I'm excited by this. I love shell pink. Can't wait to see more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Excellent work - looking forward to seeing this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wesfinn Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 I hope you are doing a matching headstock kev! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mckendrick Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 [quote name='wesfinn' timestamp='1327273511' post='1508825'] I hope you are doing a matching headstock kev! [/quote] Mmmm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 I was thinking about doing the headstock, but I'm not sure if I want to strip and refinish the whole neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkG3 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Looking good! Looks like there's nice wood under that finish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike257 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 That's some nice wood. I'd be tempted to just go natural if I found that under there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 It's a 3 piece body, not ideal for natural Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 (edited) Okay, the body is now wiped clean of it's White lacquer: [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/5947c107.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/f473463d.jpg[/IMG] And I know there will be some guys thinking "just keep it natural". So, just for you guys, here's how it'd look (very 1970's stripped back vibe, huh?). But............... I'm still going for the pink!!! Hahaha [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/086d9f07.jpg[/IMG] Edited January 23, 2012 by kevin_lindsay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umcoo Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 This looks like it's going to be great! I love a good build/tinkering type thread! Great work on the surf green strat too. One day I think I'll build myself a surf green Jazz, painting it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkG3 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 I shall have to follow this one - Shell Pink is seriously cool in my opinion. Good Work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike257 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 I love it in natural! Sure the final job will be ace, especially having seen the Strat, but even for a three piece body that looks great stripped! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceH Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 [quote name='kevin_lindsay' timestamp='1327293276' post='1508915'] I was thinking about doing the headstock, but I'm not sure if I want to strip and refinish the whole neck. [/quote] Could you not just spray over what's there already, assuming the lacquers you're using are compatible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 I could wet & dry sand the headstock to remove the existing decals and then spray over the existing nitro lacquer. However, the yello/orange tint lacquer Fender use is awful (in my opinion). I'll take some pics later to show the contrast between the original neck lacquer and the natural wood to show just how tinted it is!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 Here's the original headstock lacquer - ultra orangey yellow!! [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/49d4f12e.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/19adff67.jpg[/IMG] Okay, it's coming off!! The matching headstock is gonna happen. I wiped off the lacquer from the whole neck [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/57b4c330.jpg[/IMG] The neck heel stamps have remained intact even after wiping off the lacquer!! [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/c1e4d74e.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/7ecd936c.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusicJunkie Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 That Eric Johnson refinish is beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 (edited) Thanks mate, I'm really pleased with the Eric Johnson Strat. I hope this Jazz Bass turns out equally good!! Edited January 24, 2012 by kevin_lindsay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted January 24, 2012 Author Share Posted January 24, 2012 (edited) Back of the headstock. The maple has been nicely lightly aged even through the heavily coloured lacquer that was originally on the neck. [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/2628557a.jpg[/IMG] Okay, White primer being applied to the headstock in preparation for the Shell Pink application [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/066c12f2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/f6d7cd46.jpg[/IMG] Edited January 24, 2012 by kevin_lindsay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkG3 Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I can't wait to see it finished but I love seeing it step by step Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanovw Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 I love these threads. The strat was really nice. Looking forward to seeing this one finished. I am even thinking about refinishing my roadworn jazz in black and not relicing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 (edited) Pink now being applied to the headstock. I'll wet & dry the headstock to get the pink totally smooth before applying the clear lacquer. I'm about to apply the White primer to the body, then that'll get the Shell pink applied to it. Everything is moving along nicely! [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/87c5a50f.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/7bf8aaaf.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y289/kevin_lindsay/69d8ac8a.jpg[/IMG] Edited February 10, 2012 by kevin_lindsay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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