Funk Rocket Ajax

[operative451]

So, backstory, gear4music flying V bass that i don't like the sound of, decided to give it a makeover:

[attachment=218231:IMG_20160413_190630.jpg]

First step, take it to bits, put all the bits somewhere safe:

[attachment=218232:IMG_20160425_151844.jpg]

Next step, attack body with sander drill attachment, decide sanding is boring, go to shop to buy nitromors...

[operative451]

Discovered nitromors doesn't work on whatever they've painted the dang thing with! Ah well, back to sanding then!

Edited May 3, 2016 by operative451

[Manton Customs]

Get yourself a heat gun much easier than sanding. Just keep moving so you don't scorch the wood.

[operative451]

Good idea! I don't want to be buying tools i won't have later use for but that did give me an idea... I don't have a heatgun or a blowtorch but i do have a hob! Thats half of it gone - i can also now see how people do the 'relics' that pop up on 'ebay weird and wonderful'...

[attachment=218249:IMG_20160430_215647.jpg]

Edited April 30, 2016 by operative451

[Roland Rock]

I'm enjoying picturing this....gas or electric hob?

[Norris]

[quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1462040717' post='3039913']
Get yourself a heat gun much easier than sanding. Just keep moving so you don't scorch the wood.
[/quote]

[operative451]

Electric...

[operative451]

Ok so, paint stripped - sanded, and some filler on the scratches, plus a bit of wood and some filler in the neck pickup hole as the new one is gibson size:

[attachment=218436:IMG_20160502_150030.jpg]

[operative451]

And more! Took the black off the headstock while i was at it. I was planning to paint the face of it white to match the body but actually i quite like the bare wood. We'll see how much paint i have left! Also more filler, more sanding and some undercoat.

The last bit i need arrived in the post today - i'm excited, i think its going to look good and hopefully sound good too!

[attachment=218510:IMG_20160503_201443.jpg]

[TheGreek]

Not going to modify the body??? You could make it look Steinberger-esque by cutting the bottom "wings" off. Rounding off the sides and making it less "boxy" would make it easier on the eye too...

[operative451]

Ew, steinbergers! No - its got some retrotastic chrome hardware that'll be going on but i want to keep the 'rocket' look...

[operative451]

Paint done! It now needs my self control to kick in so i leave it alone while the paint hardens so i can sand and buff.

[attachment=218837:IMG_20160507_174059.jpg]

[Owen]

[quote name='operative451' timestamp='1462049757' post='3039978']
I don't have a heatgun or a blowtorch but i do have a hob!
[attachment=218249:IMG_20160430_215647.jpg]
[/quote]

That's my kind of lutherie!

[operative451]

A couple of weeks worth of paint drying and it's been t-cutted a bit (more to go) and i'm starting to get it put back together! The pickup did get straightened...! It might need some filling around but we'll see how it goes.

[attachment=220079:FR_Ajax.jpg]

[Dom in Dorset]

What did you paint it with?

[operative451]

Spray can from Halfords! Its actually a slight off-white, i think its 'Audi ibis white' or something similar.

[TheGreek]

My eldest brother worked as a Paint Sprayer years ago - apparently (even back then) Ford had 14 shades of white. There were the inevitable "in jokes" about "what colour white?"...

[operative451]

I'm sure there's a Smith and Jones skit on that too!

Having left it on its tod for another week, i think i'm going to clear coat it. Not sure if you're supposed to sand beforehand...?

Edited June 3, 2016 by operative451

[operative451]

After a hiatus and a move of home, i finally got time to get it finished! And here it is!!

[attachment=223727:IMG_20160717_181553.jpg]

What i'm really amazed about is that with my dodgy soldering, it worked first time! First sound impressions: Much better - less twang krung, more fatness... I need to let it all settle and give it a proper go though...