bigevilman Posted November 15, 2009 Share Posted November 15, 2009 Been contemplating whether or not to invest in a new 'old' bass to replace my MIM as my main gigging bass. After searching around basschat & ebay for about a month, it hit me that for the price I'm looking at spending, it'd just be as easy to build my own! So today, while I should of been doing dissertation work for university (any excuse not to do it!), I've been researching various parts and finishes that would interest me. I've always been a fan of the block inlay. There's something about it that just screams 'IMMENSE!' to me . I'm currently gigging in a blues-rock covers band called 'Castles Made Of Sand' (after the hendrix experience song), so after that vintage 60's sound. Obviously alot of the sound came from Noel's Sunn amps and Billys superlead. [attachment=36415:jimi_hen..._70_301a.jpg] This is a prime example of what I'm looking to get at the end of the project. Time scale-wise I'll be looking to hopefully finish this by February, with having the majority of work done over the xmas period. Here's my current idea's for parts:- Body - 3 tone sunburst finish alder body Neck - Maple Neck, relic finish, block inlays - maybe a mighty mite, or blackpoole relic series? Pickups - Wizard 64's Electronics - vintage electronics plate Bridge - Badass II (more sustain) Scratchplate - Fender '62 Jazz Scratchplate 4 ply tortoise shell Winders - Hipshot machine heads I'm not sure whether to buy a pre-finished body or to attempt to sunburst a plain one myself? It'd probably be more fun doing one myself but not sure whether my spraying skills are upto scratch! Leave us some feedback to what you think, and I'll keep you guys updated! Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalmoore Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 (edited) Well if you buy the body unfinished you gotta take your time. I recently made a jazz bass using a unfinished ash body and regret not taking more time to grain fill and sand between sprays. It still looks great but if you look carefully you can see its not perfect. I did enjoy it but, makes it feel "closer" to you. Some sites around giving advice on burst spraying: [url="http://www.manchesterguitartech.co.uk/sunburst.html"]Manchester guitar tech[/url] [url="http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/burst.htm"]Project guitar[/url] [url="http://reranch.com/sunburstaerosol.html"]Reranch[/url] PS: i will be doing my own Blueburst finish on my fenderbird once it makes more progress so let me know how this goes if you do decide to spray it yourself and any advice you can give from the experience. Edited November 16, 2009 by Metalmoore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigevilman Posted November 19, 2009 Author Share Posted November 19, 2009 Yeah well I expected that much! Just had to respray the wheel arches on transit van, took a while to make the arches look the same shade as the rest of the van. I'm planning to do the paint job over the Xmas break from uni when I'm back at my grandfolks. Being the well worked people that they are, they've got themselves a massive garage to do DIY in, so the right environment for it. Aye I saw the mock-up of what your fenderbird will look like, colour looks gorgeous. Keep me posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjamm Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Hey mate... How's this going? I'm thinking of setting off on an adventure along these lines. Have you got any links on what equipment is needed for spraying and the techniques etc? I want a Salmon Pink bass...figured I'm going to have to get it done for me, or do it myself!!! Hmm... Thanks Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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