Squier Affinity P Bass Re-finish

[Bigjas]

Having built my first Bass from scratch, I thought I might try my hand at re-finishing an existing one. So when I was offered a second hand Squier Affinity P Bass, I thought I would give it a go. The Bass is a 2005 (stamped on the neck) and had clearly not been looked after. The frets were grooved, the body had a lump out of it near the input jack, the pots were scratchy when turned, neck was quite dirty, clearly not loved.

[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9215622286/"][/url]
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9215622286/"]IMG_2222Cropped[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/87323611@N03/"]bigjas42[/url], on Flickr


So the plan was to strip it back to just the timber and then upgrade all the components. Looking through hundreds of pictures I decided I would like a white body, black scratch plate and white headstock. All the hardware would be black, along with the strings. I didn't see many like this so thought it would be something different.

First job was to take it all apart and start preparing the woodwork. I used a sander and lots of elbow grease to get a decent base to work from.

[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9215607294/"][/url]
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9215607294/"]IMG_2247[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/87323611@N03/"]bigjas42[/url], on Flickr

Then the primer coats were sprayed on. I am using automotive rattle cans to paint it. I will upgrade and get some decent spray equipment in the future, although I have got quite a good finish by spraying plenty of thin coats and flattening it off between coats.

[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9212831015/"][/url]
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9212831015/"]IMG_2249[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/87323611@N03/"]bigjas42[/url], on Flickr

[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9212829747/"][/url]
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9212829747/"]IMG_2251[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/87323611@N03/"]bigjas42[/url], on Flickr

I have put my logo on the headstock and cleaned up the fretboard. I have re-oiled it and dressed the frets.

[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9215603910/"][/url]
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9215603910/"]IMG_2295[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/87323611@N03/"]bigjas42[/url], on Flickr

I have put Wilkinson tuners on. They are too big for the Squier headstock so need filing down and touching up with black paint.

[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9215592766/"][/url]
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9215592766/"]IMG_2336[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/87323611@N03/"]bigjas42[/url], on Flickr

The scratch plate is 3 ply, the volume and tone knobs are black aluminium, Black bridge, black strap buttons, new pots and input jack, and new Tonerider pickups.

[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9215580190/"][/url]
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9215580190/"]IMG_2368[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/87323611@N03/"]bigjas42[/url], on Flickr

And the finished Bass is just what I wanted. I have set it up and its had its first gig. I am really pleased with the finish and the sound. The new pickups are much better than the stock Squier ones. I like the DR Black Beauty strings too.

[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9212785743/"][/url]
[url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/9212785743/"]IMG_2401 Cropped[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/87323611@N03/"]bigjas42[/url], on Flickr

More pictures [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/87323611@N03/sets/72157634496323236/"]HERE[/url]

Jas

[url="http://jasebass.webs.com/"]http://jasebass.webs.com/[/url]

[Myke]

Some people are just talented at building and the like. You my friend are one of them! This is lovely!

[AntLockyer]

Looks msashing, good job.

[JapanAxe]

Good job Jas! Looks the business. From IMG-2365 it looks like you've dressed the frets too.

[jezzaboy]

Very nice looking. Those tuners look really good in black. I have a set on my Jap P bass and they look good against the maple.

[mike 110]

That looks very cool , well done mate . Ive just bought a set of Toneriders for my , ahem, project , what's the sound like ? I've also got black tuners and bridge which I'm going to give a thin coat of Hammerite !

Edited August 6, 2013 by mike 110

[JimBobTTD]

Oooh, that looks lovely. Nice job.

[ChickenKiev]

Woah O___O

Art.

I'm astonished!

I'd love to see what you could do with my piece of crap mexican Jazz bass .