Andyjr1515 Posted November 12, 2016 Share Posted November 12, 2016 (edited) Hi It's been a busy week. Kicked off gelfin's full build, finished off Paul S's Stingray 5 ready for return, on with W1_Pro's Mockingbird...and this weekend / week ahead in between I'm doing a quick strip and veneer job for someone on their 'cheap and cheerful' P bass body. It's been a while since I've done a veneer job but, in case anybody's interested in how I do them, I'll post the essentials. There are some much more detailed threads from previous builds I can point anyone who wants more info... or just ask if you're interested And Kert - this might clarify some of the stuff I've referred to in [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/294212-shortscale-and-sparkly-on-a-budget-by-a-beginner/"]your sparkly thread[/url]. For stripping, if it's nitro, I generally just sand, but if it's poly, I use a heatgun and decorators scraper for starters: Quite often, particularly for cheaper models, the top colour is a thin coat over a much tougher clear poly undercoat. This is the point you think - OH THIS IS EASIER THAN I THOUGHT!: Then it occurs to you that actually, the underneath isn't wood, it's - OH C**P! THIS IS GOING TO BE TRICKY!!!! This layer you see here below is ridiculously tough: I use LOTS of heat, but moving all the time and scraping small continuous areas. It is very easy indeed to scorch the wood. With practice, though, this can be got off relatively quickly (except on Ibanez bodies where this underlayer is unbelievably tough...it takes time and great patience). On this one, though, bit of sanding still to do on the back here, but most of what you see here is wood after around 20 mins: The sides and, especially, round the cutaways are a bit trickier. Here it is very easy to burn the wood and it is easy for the decorators scraper to dig in. So...I generally use a cabinet scraper: Now this also illustrates something else that is important - you can never be sure what you are going to find underneath. And MANY cheaper guitars and basses, even some advertised as, say, 'Alder', are actually ply (albeit in that example, 100% alder ply laminates). And my view is there's nothing wrong with ply...sometimes a bit heavy but usually very rigid, stable and often produce a perfectly decent tone. From a finishing point of view, it then depends on preference - flaunt or hide. We're going to flaunt this one - it will be veneered back and front, but the sides and rear cutaway will be simply stained, ply 'n all This is now stripped waiting final sand down before ironing on some veneer, which I will cover (sorry about the pun) in the coming days : Edited November 12, 2016 by Andyjr1515 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted November 12, 2016 Share Posted November 12, 2016 Will look forward to seeing the progress. Always interesting to see your projects and marvel at your skill level Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 13, 2016 Author Share Posted November 13, 2016 (edited) [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1478986766' post='3173210'] Will look forward to seeing the progress. Always interesting to see your projects and marvel at your skill level Andy. [/quote] Thanks, Gary I'd better not c**k up the final finishing.... that really would let the crown slip We're going really bling on this one. Quilt maple in orange Maple can be a bit problematic with the veneering (some varieties are prone to stress cracking) but, if I don't use it all up just on the top, I've got enough of this to do front and back : Just got to check I've got enough Evostick PVA and, if so, veneering should be done today Edited November 13, 2016 by Andyjr1515 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 13, 2016 Author Share Posted November 13, 2016 (edited) Apols if this is a bit picture-heavy! Before I start, I do a quick paper impression of all the screwholes and chambers. You'll never find the screwholes again once you've veneered, otherwise I also razor cut the joining edges of the veneer pieces using a long steel rule to ensure the mating edges are exactly in line. This is basically my kit. The rollers I use are the small foam gloss paint rollers from Homebase, etc.. plus a little water spritzer (actually a travel atomiser I think I got from superdrug): I use the foam roller to apply an even thin coat of PVA to both the veneer and the body wood, with particular attention to the edge rollovers... I use the spray to dampen the other side of the veneer, which will immediately start curling once the dampness of the PVA starts expanding the glued side. A light water mist on the other side will counteract that effect. I let the PVA dry - 20mins or so Then I lay the first half on, carefully positioning to the centreline, then iron firmly, starting with the join line then radiating outwards. I am particularly careful to ensure that the edges are well ironed down. I then lay the second piece, butting right up to the join and ironing into the join - at first the veneer floats and shrinks slightly with the heat so you are trying to push it up to a tight joint as you fix it. Once on and the edges are secure, I rough-trim the excess with a very sharp modelling knife (I use the Stanley disposables), using the body as the blade guide and always cutting 'downhill' so any splits occr away from the body rather than into the body. This took about 30 minutes total: ...and the front, with the extra cutting, around 40 minutes: Next week's jobs are edge sanding, general sanding (all traces of PVA must be sanded away!), fill (if necessary) and stain (with ink, of course ) Edited November 13, 2016 by Andyjr1515 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblueplanet Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 Watching this one as I may be a future customer to have a veneer job done. Think that's one of the veneers you emailed me pics of Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 13, 2016 Author Share Posted November 13, 2016 [quote name='sblueplanet' timestamp='1479064815' post='3173669'] Watching this one as I may be a future customer to have a veneer job done. Think that's one of the veneers you emailed me pics of Andy. [/quote] ....and I've held back a couple of sheets 'just in case' for you Mind you, PRS have blinged the quilt maple look quite a bit...I think a walnut burst or similar could be maybe less cliché'd... It'll be interesting how this comes out, though. Quilt is, PRS or not, a spectacular figuring. It's impossible to look at it in the flesh and convince yourself it's not actually rippling. I ironed this two or three times more than I needed to simply because I was convinced it was lifting...which, of course, it wasn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted November 13, 2016 Share Posted November 13, 2016 Hocus Pocus...Andy performing more of his magic...lovely job mate...just what we've come to expect from you.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 13, 2016 Author Share Posted November 13, 2016 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1479065747' post='3173682'] Hocus Pocus...Andy performing more of his magic...lovely job mate...just what we've come to expect from you.. [/quote] Thanks, Mick Just found out I may have you to thank for the lead on this one I'll PM you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommorichards Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 excellent stuff Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 [quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1479081633' post='3173842'] excellent stuff Andy. [/quote] Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W1_Pro Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Looks lovely Andy. As usual.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 [quote name='W1_Pro' timestamp='1479094228' post='3173877'] Looks lovely Andy. As usual.... [/quote] Thanks, Stuart While W1_Pro's bits are coming over the Channel from Schaller and gelfin's wood trundles its way from David Dyke, I should be able to get this to the point where I can start the final varnishing on this veneer job. That is good news because final finishing involves 2% time doing stuff and 98% time waiting for said stuff to dry I did the edge sanding of the veneer. Two main objectives, sanding ALONG the join line:[list] [*]getting a nice clean, smooth feathering of the edge join [*]getting rid of all the PVA - which does not and will not accept stain [/list] Finished result should be something like this: Then started the staining. The owner wants orange with the ply sides flaunted Well - that looks pretty orange to me : Nowadays, I do a cursory look for stray PVA (or, in the case of the sides, where there is still some original undercoat I've missed) but let the first coat of stain find the rest. You can see what the PVA does here - the patches on the join line is PVA and the light patches where I've started to stain the wood in the cutout is original undercoat: It's easily fixed - which is why I use the stain to find the patches! I just let it dry and then resand and restain For unstained, I just wipe with a damp cloth - the PVA still shows through. The quilt is starting to show nicely Bling or not, it will be stunning when the varnish is on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allighatt0r Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 That quilt is lovely! Quite like the colour! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 [quote name='allighatt0r' timestamp='1479130405' post='3174134'] That quilt is lovely! Quite like the colour! [/quote] Thanks, Bryan As the final finish goes on, it will darken a touch too...I think it's going to look quite something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allighatt0r Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1479132045' post='3174155'] Thanks, Bryan As the final finish goes on, it will darken a touch too...I think it's going to look quite something [/quote] I'm excited to see the flaunted ply sides! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocker Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Andy, your work always impresses me. Good of you to show us all what happens and the problems that arise. Keep the pics coming..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trueno Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Great thread. I'm hooked on this now... can't wait to see the result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Nice one Andy. Yeh I've finished with all my stripping now, but you seem to have made a far better job of it! No real surprise there I was planning on starting my first base coat tonight, but something has come up, so hopefully get something done tomorrow. Cracking job on this one, as always. I love the colour. Vibrant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 Thanks, folks Still some bits of PVA there - I've added a quick wipe of cellulose sanding sealer and that REALLY brings it out as yellow: But, the general look of the stained ply is, to my eyes, not bad at all ! : The sealer has probably left it at its final depth of colour, but the varnish top coats will give it its texture. Here's how the colour is beginning to look (prob more orange than the photo shows): ...and here's the rear cutout. Again, not bad for ply : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 So this is being done for one of my fellow Hatfielders - looks like I'll have to sneak round to Charlie's to have a closer look when it's done. Charlie's actually a very accomplished drummer.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1479141472' post='3174268'] So this is being done for one of my fellow Hatfielders - looks like I'll have to sneak round to Charlie's to have a closer look when it's done. Charlie's actually a very accomplished drummer.. [/quote] Ahah....the mystery solved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Watching with interest Andy. I Think you could really help turn my ugly duckling MM usa Sterling sub into a swan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 Wowsers! As ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted November 14, 2016 Author Share Posted November 14, 2016 [quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1479144399' post='3174303'] Watching with interest Andy. I Think you could really help turn my ugly duckling MM usa Sterling sub into a swan. [/quote] Sounds interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted November 14, 2016 Share Posted November 14, 2016 [quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1479144399' post='3174303'] Watching with interest Andy. I Think you could really help turn my ugly duckling MM usa Sterling sub into a swan. [/quote] Believe it... http://s1167.photobucket.com/user/FairfaxAikman/slideshow/Alembic-esque Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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