Blingray build

[EdwardHimself]

[quote name='rapscallion' timestamp='1341677431' post='1722678']
Gun stock oil should get any tarnishing off, with the edge of a 2p
[/quote]

The problem with having anything to do with a gun though is that you might get arrested under "anti terror" laws.

[rubis]

By gunstock oil, do you mean Truoil or similar?
As luck would have it I was in a gun shop yesterday getting some grain filler and Alkanet oil to use along with Rapid Oil (which I'm told is the same thing as Truoil)

[rubis]

I've got to the point now where it's time to apply the finish. I'm using this range of stuff made by Trade Secrets Stock Care
[url="http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx235/nibbsysdad/Blingray/Picture548.jpg"]http://i759.photobuc.../Picture548.jpg[/url]" class="ipsImage" />]
It's similar stuff to Tru Oil and I've used it on necks before and liked the feel of it, as this bass is mostly walnut and this stuff is made for gunstocks, which I'm told are mostly walnut I should think it would be the ideal finish. It's too wet to spray lacquer here anyway and showing no signs of drying up.
The first step is to apply the grain sealer, which looks like chocolate milkshake. You apply two quick coats then leave it for an hour before sanding it off using 400 wet and dry lubricated with the Alkanet oil. This stuff is a pale sort of reddish colour and is described as a gain enhancer.
This is the grain sealer going on
[url="http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx235/nibbsysdad/Blingray/Picture546.jpg"]http://i759.photobuc.../Picture546.jpg[/url]" class="ipsImage" />]
As walnut is such an open pored wood it took a few coats of grain sealer to get it looking smooth.
This next step shows the Alkanet oil going on, it does pop the grain and deepen the colour somewhat. I did a couple of applications of this and stopped there because it was also deepening the colour of the veneer a bit
[url="http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx235/nibbsysdad/Blingray/Picture549.jpg"]http://i759.photobuc.../Picture549.jpg[/url]" class="ipsImage" />]
Then the laborious task of applying the Rapid Oil. The claro walnut facings, despite being grain filled soaked the Rapid Oil up like nobody's business. I was intending to do a lot of coats on it in order to get a glossy finish, on the body and headstock at least, and it looks like I will need to!
This is the cavity cover after 3 coats
[url="http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/xx235/nibbsysdad/Blingray/Picture550.jpg"]http://i759.photobuc.../Picture550.jpg[/url]" class="ipsImage" />]

I have also drilled 'string through' holes in the bridge to give this option, but instead of using single string ferrules I made a brass ferrule block. This is an idea I saw on the TDPRI site and have done it on telecasters previously, I think its a neat solution as I find it easier to rout than to try to get individual ferrule holes to line up perfecly and also it allows experimentation with different materials......brass, steel or aluminium

[xilddx]

This is a fabulous build to watch

[budget bassist]

That looks incredible! Looking forward to seeing the end result.
I love seeing oil finishes going on woods like that, really makes the grain stand out. Gorgeous!

[Dudgeman]

Fantastic. Love the Maccasa Ebony...made a kitchen out of that for a customer in Oxford...looked amazing...looks better on your finger board though!

[EBS_freak]

Look superb. You should be well proud of your work. Love walnut... Mmm...

[BB3000S]

This build is pure sex!

[RichardH]

Lovely work!