Bridgehouse Posted August 3, 2017 Share Posted August 3, 2017 Got a pair of bodies and necks on the way (due to be delivered tomorrow!) One is for a friend and the spec is agreed on for it (so it will be a surprise as I go through it ) The other, however, is going to be built up as a gigging bass - relatively low cost etc. So the specs? - Alder PJ body (x2) - Standard P neck, rosewood board, 1.75" nut & 7.5" radius For my gigging bass, I'm going to do a satin amber tint neck, and it will be a relic. The question is, what colour to go for? It's a gigging bass, so preference is bright, cheery, pastel or bling as I'd like it to stick out a bit.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted August 4, 2017 Share Posted August 4, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Bridgehouse' timestamp='1501798346' post='3347492'] Got a pair of bodies and necks on the way (due to be delivered tomorrow!) One is for a friend and the spec is agreed on for it (so it will be a surprise as I go through it ) The other, however, is going to be built up as a gigging bass - relatively low cost etc. So the specs? - Alder PJ body (x2) - Standard P neck, rosewood board, 1.75" nut & 7.5" radius For my gigging bass, I'm going to do a satin amber tint neck, and it will be a relic. The question is, what colour to go for? It's a gigging bass, so preference is bright, cheery, pastel or bling as I'd like it to stick out a bit.... [/quote] I'm so glad you didn't mention the little six stringed elephant in the room. Heeheehee I'm part way into a kit of parts for a tribute build. It's my first but already I am looking towards the next! My motivation is to end up with a five string extra long scale bass that I can afford but that will play well and survive (an imagined) life on the road.. Home build is how I've chosen to achieve my aim. In your research did you notice if Fender supply a 35inch scale neck off the shelf? I tried to use the Fender website but my browser doesn't seem to like it. Am I expecting too much looking for a five string 35inch neck production finished with frets ready to be put on a body of my choice perhaps? For your gigging bass, I always thought that Fender's pastel blue looked eye catching in an understated way. Perhaps that? I am interested to see how the relicing process works for you. Edited August 4, 2017 by SpondonBassed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted August 4, 2017 Share Posted August 4, 2017 May I ask where you sourced the necks? It seems hard to find 1.75" nut width precision necks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 The bodies and necks were sourced from a UK Luthier - but he doesn't advertise widely at all. My contact with him came via another popular UK online forum. I specified the nut width, and other specs - I'm sure 35" scale could be specified too. If you want some details then PM me. The Tele body and neck are also getting built up (as an Esquire) but I didn't think you lot would be as interested in these Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 Started the first neck - for the gigging bass. Now for this build, as I'm going hardcore relic, I wanted to start with that in mind, so I've gone for a much darker tint and tried to give it an uneven coat so that there are some darker areas than others - hopefully looking like lacquer darkening over time. Anyway, masked up: First coat of tint: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 I then rubbed back certain parts - some back to the wood, to give a patchy appearance, and then sprayed a second coat to give a deeper colour in some areas to others: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 (edited) Once dry to the touch (not long in the sun!!) - it's time to give it some relic treatment. I'm doing it straight after spraying to allow me to rub back (less of the belt sander look) and it means the relic'ing will harden as the lacquer does.. Here's pre relic: Then, it's on with the various sharp and blunt bits of metal, the 600 grit wet and dry, and some 0000 wire wool. Oh, and some shoe polish Edited August 4, 2017 by Bridgehouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 And some outside shots: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 It's now hardening off - once it's much harder I'll look at the lacquer checking stage! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted August 4, 2017 Share Posted August 4, 2017 Good job, I'm looking forward to seeing how this progresses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 [quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1501866088' post='3347936'] Good job, I'm looking forward to seeing how this progresses. [/quote] Quite possibly slowly Tomorrow I'll get some sanding sealer on the body - but I don't have a colour for it yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 This is the neck tint I was aiming for: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 4, 2017 Author Share Posted August 4, 2017 Just one more shot before the next stage - helps to show the contrast with the alder body.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 [quote name='Bridgehouse' timestamp='1501838192' post='3347652'] The bodies and necks were sourced from a UK Luthier - but he doesn't advertise widely at all. My contact with him came via another popular UK online forum. I specified the nut width, and other specs - I'm sure 35" scale could be specified too. If you want some details then PM me. The Tele body and neck are also getting built up (as an Esquire) but I didn't think you lot would be as interested in these [/quote] Many thanks. PMd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cLepto-bass Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 The neck is looking lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 5, 2017 Author Share Posted August 5, 2017 On to the body whilst the neck is hardening off.. Built a makeshift body holding contraption and got ready for stage 1: Sanding Sealer. A bit of filler was used here and there first, then sanded back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 5, 2017 Author Share Posted August 5, 2017 Alder is really thirsty! It's drying off now, and I'll do another coat tomorrow.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 5, 2017 Author Share Posted August 5, 2017 Interestingly, the neck has definitely gone a bit more amber over night... looking nice tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted August 5, 2017 Share Posted August 5, 2017 That's looking well aged. You can imagine that it has absorbed the nicotine out of lots of basement gigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 5, 2017 Author Share Posted August 5, 2017 [quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1501958705' post='3348514'] That's looking well aged. You can imagine that it has absorbed the nicotine out of lots of basement gigs. [/quote] Just the look I was going for - very aged, played often in smoky clubs, but looked after and not abused! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted August 6, 2017 Share Posted August 6, 2017 That's looking very good, Bridgehouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 interested to see how you do the checking and body relic. What did you do the the tuners, or did they come like that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass_Guardian Posted August 7, 2017 Share Posted August 7, 2017 Following this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 7, 2017 Author Share Posted August 7, 2017 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1502103900' post='3349287'] interested to see how you do the checking and body relic. What did you do the the tuners, or did they come like that ? [/quote] Not got the tuners yet - but it will be documented I usually go for a scuffing/denting then vinegar vapour suspension.. Checking will be freezer then sunlight - but it's got to harden off first!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgehouse Posted August 8, 2017 Author Share Posted August 8, 2017 Bit more neck relic'ing. Now the lacquer has dried some more, I've started to relic the exposed wood. I use a 6B pencil - rub it on the exposed wood and then rub off with a finger. It gives the wood a more subtle grey-slivery aged look rather than a bright "I've just knocked my bass" look!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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