Woodinblack Posted August 13, 2018 Share Posted August 13, 2018 Yes, I get the neck straight before I start, although it normally straightens itself when you take the strings off! But I also have the other part of that neck kit, which is this: https://crimsonguitars.com/store/notched-straight-edge-for-bass/ but you can get it pretty close with a ruler. The crowning and polishing of frets isn't very hard at all, its just a lot of work because there are so many of the bastards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted August 13, 2018 Author Share Posted August 13, 2018 41 minutes ago, Woodinblack said: Yes, I get the neck straight before I start, although it normally straightens itself when you take the strings off! But I also have the other part of that neck kit, which is this: https://crimsonguitars.com/store/notched-straight-edge-for-bass/ but you can get it pretty close with a ruler. The crowning and polishing of frets isn't very hard at all, its just a lot of work because there are so many of the bastards Normally that would be the case that the neck would straighten itself but because I had to put a back bow in the neck to compensate for the extra tension so once I remove the strings I will have to straighten the neck again I am going to make my own notched straight edge with an 600mm metal ruler I've got and I've got a rectangle box section of alu that I'm going to use as a fret levelling bar but I just need to dig out my needle files so I can crown the frets 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 8 hours ago, Jimothey said: am I right in thinking I will have to adjust the truss rod again to make the neck straight then do the work on the frets then adjust it back again before I string it back up?? Woody ( @Woodinblack) might be better at answering that one with his course knowledge but yes, I think so. My understanding is that the truss rod should not have any tension on it with the neck as supplied. Although with my own kit all I did to verify this was to visually check that the neck was straight, I went on that basis anyway. First thing I did was to use a magic marker on each of the fret crowns and then I ran a 2'6" steel rule across from one side of the neck to the other to identify the highest frets. I had relatively few frets sitting up and then only slightly so I went straight in with a crowing file and repeated the marker/check/file/marker/check routine until the rule was removing marker uniformly from the crown tops. I finished with light abrasive and metal polish. It was a crude fret dressing but it is playable if you don't look for low action. One thing to note is that metal polish and masking tape aren't a good mix. Solvent in the polish makes the adhesive under the tape very sticky and it is difficult to remove the residue after the tape is taken off. I will need to revisit it sometime because my neck/bridge relationship is not quite right. I am going to sink the bridge into a carefully calculated rout rather than alter the snug fit of the neck with a shim job. It's a job that is on the longer of my short lists. My whole life became a backlog of necessary but minor jobs during my first mid-life crisis. I say my first - it hasn't ended yet if I'm honest. One day I'll catch up. (Crosses fingers behind back.) Over to you Woody... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted August 14, 2018 Share Posted August 14, 2018 My course was only a one day thing, so nowhere near an expert, just gave me enough confidence to actually touch the thing (which I think was the point). But yes, pretty well exactly what you do. Lots of tape across the neck, my favourite green sharpie across the frets and going over and over until there weren't any frets with green lines on them, and checking with the rocker. Takes ages but pretty satisfying once you have it done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted August 15, 2018 Author Share Posted August 15, 2018 Just a quick update on the neck situation after a lot of checking and double checking it turns out that the neck is twisted (probably why I got the kit so cheap thanks Mr honest eBay seller!!! 😠) So my thinking is now is to buy a proper 5 string neck and do the pickups etc make it into a proper 5 string......... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 But if it is only choking on one fret, fix that and if the twist is so slight you didn't notice without a lot of checking, is it that bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted August 15, 2018 Author Share Posted August 15, 2018 (edited) 53 minutes ago, Woodinblack said: But if it is only choking on one fret, fix that and if the twist is so slight you didn't notice without a lot of checking, is it that bad? I suppose you've got a point but it's very noticeable when I'm trying to get the action where I want it the G string is really high around the 5th fret then goes OK again the further up the neck and I can't get the intonation anywhere near right on the D and G strings? Also I don't know if this is related but as soon as I tuned the D string up it sounded dead so I just thought it was a dead string so I put a brand new string on yesterday and that one sounds dead as well?? Edited August 15, 2018 by Jimothey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted August 15, 2018 Author Share Posted August 15, 2018 I keep looking at this bass and I can't get it out of my head that the chequered body is a bit too much!?! I really love it on the chequered pickguard on my other basses and also the vinyl is lifting in places and won't stay down when I stick them back down so I'm considering 1 final refinish. This is what I've got planned sorry the picture is a bit crappy but you get the general idea Also once I get the neck sorted I'm going to do self adhesive block inlays on it...........😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 I think the chequer looks different and quirky cool. But if it's lifting too much, it might start looking a bit naff. I'm a sucker for bright yellow and jet black but it's whatever you like, not necessarily what we like Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted August 15, 2018 Author Share Posted August 15, 2018 11 minutes ago, Andyjr1515 said: I think the chequer looks different and quirky cool. But if it's lifting too much, it might start looking a bit naff. That's exactly what I was thinking 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 I like chequer too - I have my chequered iceman, although that is painted like that. But the yellow does look nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted August 15, 2018 Author Share Posted August 15, 2018 (edited) On 15/08/2018 at 17:09, Woodinblack said: I like chequer too - I have my chequered iceman, although that is painted like that. But the yellow does look nice I think if I do it again on another build I will paint the chequer on instead......... Edited August 17, 2018 by Jimothey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Wishbone Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 On 15/08/2018 at 11:45, Jimothey said: I keep looking at this bass and I can't get it out of my head that the chequered body is a bit too much!?! I really love it on the chequered pickguard on my other basses and also the vinyl is lifting in places and won't stay down when I stick them back down so I'm considering 1 final refinish. This is what I've got planned sorry the picture is a bit crappy but you get the general idea Also once I get the neck sorted I'm going to do self adhesive block inlays on it...........😀 Looks somewhat familiar 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted August 17, 2018 Author Share Posted August 17, 2018 28 minutes ago, Johnny Wishbone said: Looks somewhat familiar 😉 Yeah sorry mate I got inspired by your Jazz bass 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Wishbone Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 2 hours ago, Jimothey said: Yeah sorry mate I got inspired by your Jazz bass 🙂 No apology necessary. If anything I think that colour scheme suits the P better! Carry on! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted August 17, 2018 Author Share Posted August 17, 2018 The frets have been levelled, crowned and polished (it was easier than I thought it was going to be!) Now the buzz has stopped!! Thanks for all the advice everyone Just got to sort the electrics out, do the refinish then do the shielding then it should be good to go 😀 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted August 26, 2018 Author Share Posted August 26, 2018 So far I've sorted the electrics, painted the pickguard and stripped the body I've got some AA Van yellow spray paint so I'll start spraying next week 😃 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 4 minutes ago, Jimothey said: So far I've sorted the electrics, painted the pickguard and stripped the body I've got some AA Van yellow spray paint so I'll start spraying next week 😃 With an AA decal on the headstock too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted August 30, 2018 Author Share Posted August 30, 2018 The AA yellow spray paint came out very orangey so I've bought some Sun Yellow instead which looks a lot better and I've used tinted Danish oil on the neck as I thought it would be a nice contrast with the yellow, I'm also doing a matching headstock I'll post pics tomorrow 😀 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted August 31, 2018 Author Share Posted August 31, 2018 I've had a bit of a reaction with the paint on the body so I'm sorting it out but here's the neck anyway I'm still going to give a few more coats so it will go a bit darker 😀 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted September 3, 2018 Author Share Posted September 3, 2018 Just a quick update, I've now finished spraying the front and the headstock, the back needs just 1 more coat then I'll leave it for a few days to dry then I'll be getting it all back together 😀 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted September 3, 2018 Author Share Posted September 3, 2018 (edited) I dont think I'm going to use the bridge cover as I'm not sure if it looks right?? Edited September 3, 2018 by Jimothey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Turgh Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 58 minutes ago, Jimothey said: I dont think I'm going to use the bridge cover as I'm not sure if it looks right?? It looks massive! I’d go without. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted September 3, 2018 Author Share Posted September 3, 2018 1 hour ago, Pea Turgh said: It looks massive! I’d go without. Ooohhhh errrr missus 😁 It didn't look that big when the body was chequered?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 4 minutes ago, Jimothey said: Ooohhhh errrr missus 😁 It didn't look that big when the body was chequered?? Ashtray with purple on yellow polka dots and it'll look spotty and swollen. There's a thought that I wish I'd never thunk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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