PaulKing Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 Never touch the finish on a vintage bass right? Right. Of course. No way. But if someone already beat you to it ... what's the harm in having another go?? 1937 King Mortone (sexy), previously refinished in simple light brown varnish (really quite nice, but, meh). Target: Strip varnish, replace with sunburst copied from original (nitro spray or hand rub TBC), add nitrocellulose top coat (gloss or satin TBC). If I can't get my hands on a glorious '37 King in original factory condition (you know who you are!!) ... well second best is to attack my own. How much of a disaster could it be?? (HA!) Step 1: Will the varnish come off clean? Verdict: Yes. See below (pic 1 of many more to come ....). How long will this take me? Place your bets now. Next steps - Disassemble bass - Complete varnish removal - Light sand - Practice sunburst application on blank plywood (trying nitro aerosol vs hand-rub water-based stains) - Practice top coat (clear satin or clear gloss nitrocellulose aerosol) - Probably no sealant ... wanna keep all those dings. - Sunburst pattern, light sand - Nitro top coat, 2 or 3 coats 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanOwens Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 I’m looking forward to seeing how this progresses! It makes my half-hearted attempts to dull the finish on my ES165 look easy... so why have it still not finished it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 2, 2019 Author Share Posted December 2, 2019 Ha, yeh I havent really started yet. Not like I got loads of spare time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 Step away from that Dremel Multi ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 3, 2019 Author Share Posted December 3, 2019 No machines involved... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 3, 2019 Author Share Posted December 3, 2019 Day 2... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 3, 2019 Author Share Posted December 3, 2019 Lower rib, C bout time for work ... turning blonde Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanOwens Posted December 3, 2019 Share Posted December 3, 2019 Are you hand sanding or using a chemical stripper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blartfactor10 Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 It looks kinda nice with just the sides stripped. 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 4, 2019 Author Share Posted December 4, 2019 Stripper, 10mins, quick wipe with scraper, wire wool dipped in stripper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Is it sounding any different yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 5, 2019 Author Share Posted December 5, 2019 (edited) Loads better, but only on the bottom 3 strings and a bit of the g... the sound is somehow, lighter, almost naked... ;o) Edited December 5, 2019 by PaulKing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckyincarnate Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 (edited) Very nice - and ambitious! Thanks for keeping us in the loop... I am just adding my own King bass for the hell of it: rolled out of the H.N. White American Standard factory in 1935. A Monster Bb rotary valve tuba with a recording bell. And it too has been refinished in its lifetime, as it happens. Edited December 6, 2019 by Duckyincarnate 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 Wow love that tuba! Day 5: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 7, 2019 Author Share Posted December 7, 2019 (edited) Checking nitro colour... nice. drawn on purfling, now that could be a challenge too far. At least it doesn’t bleed under the nitro... big shout to Steve at Manchester Guitar Tech Edited December 10, 2019 by PaulKing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted December 7, 2019 Share Posted December 7, 2019 No guts, no glory! I salute you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeponehandloose Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 Not wanting to rub it in - pun intended - 'that' bass you mention has a very gloss finish compared to the Kays... not sure if nitro is available in gloss? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 8, 2019 Author Share Posted December 8, 2019 Yeh I noticed ...! the 60s King I tried out a while ago (beautiful... see relevant thread .... still for sale) was very gloss. Kings were finished in nitro though. I’ve done a test in gloss and satin to see which I prefer. I’d prefer it to look worn rather than factory fresh, so think I’ll prefer the slightly knocked back sheen of satin finish. Using my Kay as a guide. The Sunburst pattern on early Kings (and Kay’s for that matter) was pretty crude ... I think even I can match that. Now, purfling ... that’s gonna be a different kind of challenge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 8, 2019 Author Share Posted December 8, 2019 So err, quite familiar with ‘that’ bass are ye?! ;o) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 8, 2019 Author Share Posted December 8, 2019 Rough / quick practice... Wickes ply is a bit more rosy coloured. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr zed Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 42 minutes ago, PaulKing said: Rough / quick practice... Wickes ply is a bit more rosy coloured. You’ve given it boobies - well played sir! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 8, 2019 Author Share Posted December 8, 2019 Ha yeah I drew the outline ... it was quite exciting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeponehandloose Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 10 hours ago, PaulKing said: So err, quite familiar with ‘that’ bass are ye?! ;o) Up until a couple of weeks ago.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulKing Posted December 8, 2019 Author Share Posted December 8, 2019 in for a penny.... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickA Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 (edited) ... and I thought you were going to chisel two neat little grooves all around the outside and hammer in little strips of dyed maple ..... Looks great btw (certainly better than mine); probably needs a coating to keep it wipe clean, but otherwise it could stay that way. Edited December 9, 2019 by NickA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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