Myke Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Hey all, I've decided to defret/refinish my bass! It's a Hohner Arbor Series bass I bought off my mate for £10 four years ago. Since then it's been at a mates house unused. So I decided I want something to do over christmas now that uni is on a break and I read a Jaco book and obviously was inspired Atm it's covered in stickers and there is a few burn marks from my 'Rock n Roll' years where I tried to play it on fire.. But it should be fun! Here's a few pictures. [attachment=124815:DSC00052.JPG] [attachment=124816:DSC00057.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share Posted December 12, 2012 For anyone interested i'm going to be following what this guy does.. Ish.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=115gvPzHMqw Also my plan is to sand down the body and then oil it or varnish it, not completely sure atm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 It's worth checking that the body is actually made from wood (as opposed to ply) before starting to strip it. You should be able to get a look insode the neck pocket when you take the neck off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share Posted December 12, 2012 [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1355272187' post='1896347'] It's worth checking that the body is actually made from wood (as opposed to ply) before starting to strip it. You should be able to get a look insode the neck pocket when you take the neck off. [/quote] I wish I read that before I had started sanding the back but tbh the only reason I did was because I ruined the head on one of the screws on the back of the body so now I have to drill it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted December 13, 2012 Author Share Posted December 13, 2012 Finally got the neck off! Dom was right, body is made of ply. So the plan now is to strip it as I've already started and then respray it with some colour. The neck has been defretted. Few tips... Don't heat the fret until you have the beginning out because I found it more difficult to grab. Also patience is a virtue! Half done! [attachment=125045:DSC00061.JPG] All done! [attachment=125046:DSC00063.JPG] Close up [attachment=125047:DSC00064.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 Well done, it's a satisfying job isn't it! I fell for the plywood body, I bought a cheapie off ebay and planned to strip it, thankfuly I spotted the play before I started. I fitted it with a wooden scratch plate in the end. Always be suspicious of cheaper bass bodies , you do get some wooden ones , even on cheapies though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted December 14, 2012 Author Share Posted December 14, 2012 [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1355431339' post='1898434'] Well done, it's a satisfying job isn't it! I fell for the plywood body, I bought a cheapie off ebay and planned to strip it, thankfuly I spotted the play before I started. I fitted it with a wooden scratch plate in the end. Always be suspicious of cheaper bass bodies , you do get some wooden ones , even on cheapies though. [/quote] It really is I'm assuming ply bodies don't sound as nice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 I made a bass body out of some 18mm ply that I found in the garden, it sounded great. IMO influence on tone of the body is largely a myth. I suspect that some super dense materials will give slightly more sustain and brightness but 90% of woods (including ply) make no discernible difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted December 14, 2012 Author Share Posted December 14, 2012 Ah So the problem with ply is more looks than anything else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 Yeah, the laminations dont really lend themselves very well to a natural finish. Nothing wrong with the sound at all and can sometimes keep the weight down considerably. Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted December 18, 2012 Author Share Posted December 18, 2012 (edited) Cheers for all the help guys Right today I glued the veneer in the slots. Almost buggered one up where it got stuck to my finger when I let go and it came out with me but hopefully may have saved it! I will have to see tomorrow. A few pics. Whole fretboard with the veneer sticking out. [attachment=125456:DSC00065.JPG] Snazzy little close up of the first few frets, these are both before glueing but they look the same afterwards. [attachment=125457:DSC00066.JPG] Edited December 18, 2012 by Myke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 So today I sanded down the veneer strips, what a palaver that turned out to be! Sanding worked but was going to take years sawing didn't work, so in the end I snapped each strip down closer to the fretboard, heart in mouth moment everytime!, and then filed it almost flush. Then I sanded it with 80 grit, 120 grit and then 320 grit wrapped around a home made radius block. Smooooth now! Radius Block [attachment=125503:DSC00070.JPG] The dusty end [attachment=125504:DSC00067.JPG] First few frets again [attachment=125505:DSC00068.JPG] Next job sand the sides and tidy the rest up, then onto the body! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 So today I hit it hard with the sander. I managed to drill out the screws that broke off in the body and then refilled the holes for when I rescrew the scratch plate back on. Sanded almost all of the paint off the body, can properly see the ply now. Also I sanded the headstock and back of the neck as I prefer the more raw maple colour and tidied up the sides of the neck. Plain headstock [attachment=125630:DSC00072.JPG] Front [attachment=125631:DSC00073.JPG] Back [attachment=125632:DSC00074.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 That ply actually looks quite nice like that. I have made a few bits and bobs, like photo frames and stuff, out of ply, and left natural, because I think it looks quite pretty. Obviously it depends on the ply. The trouble is, even though yours looks nice, there is a stigma attached to guitars made from it, it would be a brave thing to not paint it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 [quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1356120312' post='1907236'] That ply actually looks quite nice like that. I have made a few bits and bobs, like photo frames and stuff, out of ply, and left natural, because I think it looks quite pretty. Obviously it depends on the ply. The trouble is, even though yours looks nice, there is a stigma attached to guitars made from it, it would be a brave thing to not paint it. [/quote] I had thought of doing that but unfortunately where I have sanded it, it's become quite in consistant and kind of made it a bit patchy so I'm going to paint it. I do quite like the purpley bit on the side though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingBollock Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 [quote name='Myke' timestamp='1356120871' post='1907241'] I had thought of doing that but unfortunately where I have sanded it, it's become quite in consistant and kind of made it a bit patchy so I'm going to paint it. I do quite like the purpley bit on the side though. [/quote] That's a shame. But yeah, it really does depend on the ply. It is a shame that people will often automatically cover it up without taking its aesthetics into consideration. Mind you, if you claim that it's made up of several sheets of really rare wood, illegally logged from right under a nursing Orang Utan, you can add a couple of zeros to the end of the sale price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted December 21, 2012 Author Share Posted December 21, 2012 [quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1356121846' post='1907245'] That's a shame. But yeah, it really does depend on the ply. It is a shame that people will often automatically cover it up without taking its aesthetics into consideration. Mind you, if you claim that it's made up of several sheets of really rare wood, illegally logged from right under a nursing Orang Utan, you can add a couple of zeros to the end of the sale price. [/quote] Hahah Sounds likes a plan!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Are you still working on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 (edited) [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1362090271' post='1995777'] Are you still working on this? [/quote] Yupp, but it's come to the refinish stage and I'm waiting for some warmer weather and also I've been at uni so haven't had any time for it unfortunately but I have 3 weeks off at the end of March so I'm hitting the laquering and painting then I realise it has been a while but hopefully it'll be playable soon! Thank you for your interest [size=2]Whoops spell check [/size] Edited March 1, 2013 by Myke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rk7 Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Nice work Myke! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1355477818' post='1898801'] IMO influence on tone of the body is largely a myth. I suspect that some super dense materials will give slightly more sustain and brightness but 90% of woods (including ply) make no discernible difference. [/quote] +1 Agreed, thereby negating yards and yards of twaddle on the subject. IMHO, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted March 18, 2013 Author Share Posted March 18, 2013 [quote name='rk7' timestamp='1362226656' post='1997197'] Nice work Myke! [/quote] Thank you Right so after finishing an essay on the contribution Jaco made to bass.. I want this fretless more and more! Just one busy week before I can start the finishing Keep your eyes open Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 I have to ask your opinion, if you please As the weather is horrible and cold, I have a feeling that I won't be able to do anymore until it warms up. My can of lacquer says to be used within 15-25 degrees, and it's not much more than 4 here.. If I still did it would it affect the drying process or anything? It will be in an unheated garage so..? If not I'll have to wait until april/may time before I can do anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Finishing in the cold can lead to moisture getting trapped under the paint which causes blushing. Misty foggy, flat appearance. You can combat this by getting your work peice warmer than the environment. An oil radiator or similar heater which has no exposed element or dust inducing fan placed directly beneath the hanging guitar will combat this. Also warm the can up in a bowl of warm water first to improve the flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 [quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1364249188' post='2023953'] Finishing in the cold can lead to moisture getting trapped under the paint which causes blushing. Misty foggy, flat appearance. You can combat this by getting your work peice warmer than the environment. An oil radiator or similar heater which has no exposed element or dust inducing fan placed directly beneath the hanging guitar will combat this. Also warm the can up in a bowl of warm water first to improve the flow. [/quote] So it's still doable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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