The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: godofthunder on November 08, 2015, 08:02:04 AM

Title: Flying V bass kit
Post by: godofthunder on November 08, 2015, 08:02:04 AM
   Well I have always wanted a Flying V bass but could never justify the cost. So for the princely sum of $159 shipped I bought a kit off ebay. Looks like a quality kit for the money. I'll use Switch Craft pots etc but everything else looks nice. I'll do it up in heritage cherry, maybe put a mudbucker in it like the old Ibanez lawsuit Vs. Sorry no pics, can't seem to save them to my phone. Maybe one of you guys can post it for me? Ebay seller is bargainmusician2011.
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: Iome on November 08, 2015, 09:13:36 AM
Nice, i've been looking at these kits for a while, but i wouldn't like a long scale V. Is it 34" as said in the description?
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: godofthunder on November 08, 2015, 09:35:20 AM
   It's say 34" scale but I am not convinced it is, I'll let you know when it arrives.
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: drbassman on November 08, 2015, 02:41:43 PM
Cool idea scott.  Kind of how I felt about the short scale TB.
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: slinkp on November 08, 2015, 06:50:44 PM
This one?  http://m.ebay.com/itm/BASS-FV-Body-Style-DIY-Unfinished-Project-Luthier-Electric-Guitar-Kit-/262132798937?nav=SEARCH
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: godofthunder on November 08, 2015, 07:51:07 PM
Yep thats it!
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: Dave W on November 08, 2015, 10:53:54 PM
!00% positive feedback, satisfaction guaranteed, can't go wrong with that.

The V definitely isn't as deep as on a Gibson. Considering that, it will probably turn out to be long scale. You'll find out soon enough.
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: Aussie Mark on November 09, 2015, 01:49:49 PM
Seller has some interesting kits - Beatle bass, hollow body, Iceman ....
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: dadagoboi on December 04, 2015, 08:58:59 AM
Hey Scott,

What's up with this?
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: godofthunder on December 04, 2015, 10:24:21 AM
  The kit is amazingly nice! I have to order Mohawk cherry stain for it, once that comes in I can get started. Very impressed for $159!
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: dadagoboi on December 04, 2015, 03:10:05 PM
  The kit is amazingly nice! I have to order Mohawk cherry stain for it, once that comes in I can get started. Very impressed for $159!

Cool!  I use Mohawk 'Red' Ultra Penetrating Stain for cherry.  Works great on mahogany, maple, poplar, and cypress.
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: godofthunder on December 04, 2015, 04:26:59 PM
  Ah red hood to know. Do you reduce it at all?
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: dadagoboi on December 04, 2015, 06:05:52 PM
  Ah red hood to know. Do you reduce it at all?

No, straight.  Comes in quarts, pretty much a lifetime supply at the rate I use it now.  Used to buy it in gallons when I had a furniture biz.  I have red, blue, and yellow.  Theoretically all you need to mix any color.  I'd send you some but it would have to go UPS.

I apply it with a cotton pad made from a tee shirt.  Works best with a sea sponge.  You can also spray it or use it to tint clear.  I don't have experience with any other transparent dye stain.
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: Basvarken on December 05, 2015, 12:21:08 AM
I always use this water based stain from Clou.

(http://www.verfze.nl/product-image/product/997/image/zoom_00/width/380/height/285);)

It's cheap (like 5 euro per sachet)
And very easy to use. Just dilute it in lukewarm water. (after it has cooled down you can keep it in a bottle forever)
You can blend colors if you want, by putting the pigment powder together. But that is always a bit of a gamble.
Not that you'd need to blend them really, because they have quite a color range to chose from. Here are some examples:

(http://static.webshopapp.com/shops/010050/files/005460521/image.jpg)
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: Dave W on December 05, 2015, 11:27:13 AM
Those Clou stains seem to be unavailable in North America.
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: Basvarken on December 05, 2015, 11:35:59 AM
I'd be happy to send a few in the mail.
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: dadagoboi on December 05, 2015, 12:11:00 PM
Mohawk is alcohol base.  WB is for sissies ;D
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: Basvarken on December 05, 2015, 01:10:31 PM
I prefer to drink alcohol instead of smearing it on a guitar  :P :toast:
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: Highlander on December 05, 2015, 03:40:49 PM
You can drink the alcohol, then use the after-product in a suitably modified VW...
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: godofthunder on December 05, 2015, 03:54:05 PM
   Carlo if you could send me some that would be great!
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: godofthunder on December 06, 2015, 07:38:30 AM
  Finally got some pictures, I had to do it the old fashioned way with camera and photo bucket! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/flying%20V%20bass%20kit%20002_zps5bljk4j7.jpg) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/flying%20V%20bass%20kit%20001_zpsobzgnqbh.jpg)
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: godofthunder on December 07, 2015, 02:54:03 PM
  Rob thanks for the offer but I am pretty familiar with the Mohawk product line!
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: dadagoboi on December 07, 2015, 05:18:54 PM
Scott, I won't be able to get to UPS until early January.  I'm 30 miles from the nearest one.  My price list says a quart of Ultra Penetrating stain Red costs $20.
http://www.mohawk-finishing.com/catalog_browse.asp?ictNbr=178 

Mohawk also sells a rattlecan toner  M100-0381, Red Mahogany/ Cherry If you want to go that way.
http://www.mohawk-finishing.com/catalog_browse.asp?ictNbr=171
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: godofthunder on December 07, 2015, 07:01:01 PM
    Thanks Carlo, I'll just go through my local supplier!
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: godofthunder on December 22, 2015, 04:17:56 AM
  Stain ordered! I better get sanding!
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: dadagoboi on December 22, 2015, 05:50:03 AM
  Stain ordered! I better get sanding!

I've been having good results with steaming the entire body (wet cloth with iron) before sanding with 120 grit, then repeating steaming/ sanding with 180, 240.  Steam again and 320.  Then stain, sealer, etc.  The steaming only takes about 5-10 minutes but really saves a lot of time and effort later.  Look forward to seeing your results, Scott!
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: slinkp on December 22, 2015, 02:05:59 PM
Interesting, what does steaming do?
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: Granny Gremlin on December 22, 2015, 02:29:04 PM
Not sure why Carlo does it, but I often moisten the wood between sandings to raise the grain - you get smoother quicker that way and then  it doesn't rise on you when you hit it with that first coat of stain.  Pre-stain is for those who don't know and have too much money.

Don't steam wood that isn't thick (like a guitar body) or it can warp.

edit: here's abetter explanation http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/raisethegraintosand.aspx
Title: Re: Flying V bass kit
Post by: dadagoboi on December 22, 2015, 03:17:04 PM
Interesting, what does steaming do?

Steam raises the grain so the alcohol/water/solvent based stain doesn't have to. :)

You get a smoother surface quicker that takes stain more evenly.  Eliminates the need to grain fill for me.