The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: drbassman on January 16, 2008, 06:44:14 PM
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OK, I just didn't like the top on my 98 LP carcass. One crappy piece of realy dark mahog that didn't match the rest of the body. Typical Gibson QC. So, off comes the top finish. Next will be a flame maple affair with a cherry burst finish. Before and after............
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/98lpfrt.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1292.jpg)
I've got some really beautiful veneer that's going to cap this top. I'm also toying with cream binding for the top. We'll see how energetic I feel later this month. If we get our usual 100 inches of snow, I might do the binding too!
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Bill you are a ambitious man !
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Bill you are a ambitious man !
Thanks Scott, but it's really nothing with the help of 60 grit riding on a random orbital sander!!! And for those of you who say Gibson nitro is delicate, well I beg to differ! It took me over an hour to sand this stuff off. I didn't want to use stripper because I wanted a clean edge since I'm only doing the top on this one and didn't want to screw up finish on the sides.
I'm seriously considering some binding since I've got the top cleaned off. Maybe tort would be cool!
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Wasn't nudity disallowed in this forum, especially in pictorial form? :-\
I think I would actually oil fin this baby and leave it as is - real nice grain now.
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Are you going to take down the top any to make up for the thickness of the cap? Or just use whatever the sander removed?
My local not-quite-good-enough-for-vintage shop had a double cut Les Paul Junior or Special. Probably 59 or 60, but so mutilated that you couldn't tell what it started our as. It was there for years, and I decided I would finally buy it and put a mahogany cap over the mess, using my community center's nutso wood shop. It sold a couple of weeks before I went. DANG.
When I first saw that, I thought you could bind and flame top it.
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Wasn't nudity disallowed in this forum, especially in pictorial form? :-\
I think I would actually oil fin this baby and leave it as is - real nice grain now.
Well, I assumed amorphous nudity was OK since there aren't any appendages to offend the overly sensitive among us! I thought about oiling it, but I have some really nice flame veneer. The veneer is very thin, maybe a mm or so? Anyway, I took off about the same amount of finish on this beast! So no problem with height of the top and neck angle, etc.
I'll post some pics of it tonight. I still don't like that hinky piece of really dark mahog on the top of the lower bout. Tacky! :P
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Are you going to take down the top any to make up for the thickness of the cap? Or just use whatever the sander removed?
My local not-quite-good-enough-for-vintage shop had a double cut Les Paul Junior or Special. Probably 59 or 60, but so mutilated that you couldn't tell what it started our as. It was there for years, and I decided I would finally buy it and put a mahogany cap over the mess, using my community center's nutso wood shop. It sold a couple of weeks before I went. DANG.
When I first saw that, I thought you could bind and flame top it.
Well, I wouldn't have hesitated on that LP Jr. Sometime you just gotta jump on them, like I did on the NR TB. I wasn't about to let that one get away.
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I wouldn't leave it as is unless I could even out the color difference with that dark piece on the lower bout. Beside the point anyway since you've already decided to veneer it. But I really can't blame Gibson for the dark non-matching piece. That's exactly why it was chosen for a solid color finish.
Re your sanding efforts and Gibson nitro durability, we really don't know all the details of what they use. Could be nitro color coats over an oil- or epoxy-based sealer. Could still be a nitro sealer, but the formulas have changed over the years.
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I liked your metal plate top Zemis ? idea.
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I wouldn't leave it as is unless I could even out the color difference with that dark piece on the lower bout. Beside the point anyway since you've already decided to veneer it. But I really can't blame Gibson for the dark non-matching piece. That's exactly why it was chosen for a solid color finish.
Re your sanding efforts and Gibson nitro durability, we really don't know all the details of what they use. Could be nitro color coats over an oil- or epoxy-based sealer. Could still be a nitro sealer, but the formulas have changed over the years.
The trans cherry finish wasn't solid, you could easily see the darker wood through the original finish. If I couldn't have seen it, I may not even have thought about messin' with it. But hey, I've never been able to leave well enough alone, so what's new?
Also, the underlying grain fill/sealer was pretty dark and quite thick as well. The entire thing was amazing actually. I was impressed with the 1mm+ thinckness of the finish.
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That sort of demolishes the argument that nitro is automatically always thin. Not that I ever believed it. My '59 Melody Maker guitar and '67 Fender Coronado Bass both had thick nitro finishes.
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Gilmer has in some figured real Mahogany
http://www.gilmerwood.com/instrument_wood-lam-sets.htm
They were even kind enough to trace your bass for you!
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You could always go for the Freddy Krueger burn victim look?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/smallredgui.jpg)
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You could always go for the Freddy Krueger burn victim look?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/smallredgui.jpg)
That is one ugly piece of wood.
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I have seen that stuff glued down and smoothed out and it looks pretty nice when the light hits it. I think you have to use a extra quart of filler though. That turd stained part would get routed out. Still, my local place usually has some really nice slivers of tiger flamed maple that are just begging for a bass or guitar to get glued down on. Next project...
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That is one ugly piece of wood.
Freddy Krueger wood
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Freddy Krueger wood
I agree!
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As long as it's not spalted (i.e. diseased and rotting) wood or that hideously ugly buckeye burl. That stuff makes Freddy Kruger look good by comparison.
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I just did the flame maple veneer thing. I'll post some pics after the glue dries tomorrow.
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Here's how I glued the veneer down. I made a press out of plywood I cut as a template of the body and clamped the life out of it!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1293.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1294.jpg)
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hideously ugly buckeye burl
I call that black lung wood.
Did Home Depot have a clamp sale?
Geeze your already glueing without a poll on your wood choices?
I'm sure you did something cool & tasteful so we will just have to wait to see it now.
All these projects are so much fun, it really must be fun to be a guitar builder without have to deal with customers!
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Yeah, flame maple was my first and only choice. In fact, I did buy those clamps on sale when I was gluing fretboards onto necks. I love being a builder/repairman without customers. People can be such a pain in the tuch. I use the same philosophy in my playing. My band doesn't charge anything for gigs, so people get exactly what they pay for!!! ;D
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You can never have too many clamps.
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You can never have too many clamps.
AMEN!
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I just watched Dawn of the dead DC, fitting picture with all those claps sinking there teeth into that poor bass
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Yeah, they sure do come in handy. I put the last two little pieces of veneer on this morning and will leave it clamped until tomorrow. Time for a break to clean my shop up a bit.
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I got the veneer on. Next step is routing for the binding when the new bit I ordered gets here! I think this will be a bit of an improvement, especially once all of the chrome harware is added.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1299.jpg)
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Nice work, as usual!
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Thanks! I've got some sanding and tiddying up to do, but it came out pretty good for my first attempt.
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Wow, pro job!
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that's gonna look great with a cherry burst!
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As always , beautiful! Im assuming its not a carved top.
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I missed the cherry burst part?
I would do something special or different than what Gibson did.
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He mentioned cherry burst in the first post.
Looks like a flat top to me. Since the bass was originally a flat top, putting on a thick top and carving it would probably require a taller bridge than the original Schaller roller bridge, and that would require a neck angle that this bass doesn't have.
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Which explains why the LP Standards came either with the three point or the Schaller Warwick bridge, not the lower roller bridges used on Specials and DeLuxes.
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You old-timers are silly sometimes - roller bridges won't work on carved tops not because of the added height requirement, but because they require a large flat mounting surface (parallel to the strings) which just does not exist.
Also, though a break angle is nice on an archtop instrument, it is hardly necessary (just makes setups easier... but also increases the bridge height requirement... see previous point). He could go with a carved top here if he wanted to (and doesn't have issue with the 3 point, or some other post-mounted bridge).
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but because they require a large flat mounting surface which just does not exist.
Actually the Warwick bridge is mounted on a counter sunk flat metal plate.
You can see it here in this picture
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/moneyshot.jpg)
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The counter sunk part is a flat-bottomed route. Even with the smaller footprint of the Warwick, I don't think theres enough flat area on an LP to mount without the route - maybe just. The roller bridge's footprint is like 2-3 times that of the Warwick.
Routing out a spot for a roller bridge would take away from bridge height in a bad way... unless you use a riser block (or carve the top with a large flat area built in because you've thought of this ahead of time), which could look stupid.
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Well, simply put, I decided against a carved top as I was already tackling enough new areas in one project. Besides, I have the Schaller bridge already, so I decided to leave well enough alone.
I might consider something other than cherry burst (my favorite LP finish). Anyone have a suggestion?
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You old-timers are silly sometimes - roller bridges won't work on carved tops not because of the added height requirement, but because they require a large flat mounting surface (parallel to the strings) which just does not exist.
Also, though a break angle is nice on an archtop instrument, it is hardly necessary (just makes setups easier... but also increases the bridge height requirement... see previous point). He could go with a carved top here if he wanted to (and doesn't have issue with the 3 point, or some other post-mounted bridge).
Duh, that is an obvious point, Jake! ::) But even if you pinned down the roller bridge with one screw in the middle to the carved top, ignoring stability and looks, it's height adjustment range would still not be nearly enough.
These youngsters, pah .... (walks off mumbling ...) ;)
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Uwe's right. Height adjustment and neck angle are crucial and carved top, adding 1/4 to 3/8" in the center would definitely make the Schaller bridge non-functional. Also, you could use a Shcaller if you kept the center high enough and flat for an area equal to the width of the bridge. However, it would probably look goofey.
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Even with an elevated flat the Schaller roller bridge might not work properly because you wouldn't be changing the neck angle or elevating the fretboard to account for the increased top thickness. You probably wouldn't have enough break angle.
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Still working on a cool finish- Maybe a dye color and transparent coat cherry burst?
The Satin finished dyed PRS's look pretty cool
I still think about how cool Basskilists one turneed out with the chrome hardware and LP pups
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Got a picture of it?
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OK, I've been thinking about how much I liked the outcome of my NR repro in Fender Butterscotch and think maybe this LP would look good in a Fender trans blonde with the tort binding I just got in. How about a treatment something like this...........
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/St-Blues-61-South-Blonde-Trad-2.jpg)
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Nice, but needless to say black hardware would elevate that particular look more! :-*
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OK, I've been thinking about how much I liked the outcome of my NR repro in Fender Butterscotch and think maybe this LP would look good in a Fender trans blonde with the tort binding I just got in. How about a treatment something like this...........
That's noit butterscoth, but a limed finish. I'm not a fan of the tele butterscotch colour, but those limed finishes are so easy to apply and look so effin cool, that I fully endorse that idea.
That example in particular is one serious ncase of guitar schizophrenia. I mean, LP vs tele are worlds apart.
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Hey Granny, I'm not sure what you mean by "limed" finished, but my NR repro is Butterscotch Blonde, a trans finish for what it's worth. I wasn't sure how a typical Fender color would work on a TB, but I think it turned out really nice. Hence, my thought that a trans blonde/white might be cool on an LP. When have you ever seen one of those? I mean come on, now we're seeing shell pink SG RIs for crying out loud!!!! :P
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Repro%20NR%20TB%20Project/100_12872.jpg)
As for black hardware, I'd have to think about that one some........
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Limed finish- or looks like-?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/4f1a_12.JPG.jpg)
PRS Finishes
http://www.prsguitars.com/products/
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Well 'Dog, that PRS is done by dying the wood black then sanding it back so only the grain is very highlighted by the dye. You proboably know that already. I was thinking about something like that.
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It helps pop the grain. Carvin does it as well
http://www.carvinguitars.com/wood_finish/
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I liked your metal plate top Zemis ? idea.
Now you're talking! Zemaitis clone!
(http://www.bobdaisley.com/guitars/Vox%20T60%20%26%20Zemaitis%20custom%20bass.jpg)
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Well, I don't think I'll put a metal veneer over my maple veneer! But I am thinking an unconventional finish on the top would be neat, as much as I LOVE cherry burst.
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Well, no matter what color I go with, the binding is a dark tort. Here it is all formed up. I'll probably glue it on tomorrow.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1310.jpg)
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Maybe I just haven't been looking, but I haven't seen tort binding on electrics very often.
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If you're using the dark tort binding won't you be limited to lighter colors for the finish? Just curious as to what color you settle on.
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Limits? ;)
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After a Blue & Orange burst, there are no limits.
Uwe tore that wall down with that bass.
How about a Red & Green burst or a Yellow and Purple one?
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I'm also considering a dark amber with no cherry edge. The proble with the trans white is it will obscure the bit of flame in the top and that's nice enoug to highlight. So, I'm thinking amber might be best.
I still like the tort binding. Just for something different.
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I totally missed this thread! Great job!
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I'm also considering a dark amber with no cherry edge. The proble with the trans white is it will obscure the bit of flame in the top and that's nice enoug to highlight. So, I'm thinking amber might be best.
I still like the tort binding. Just for something different.
I was thinking something along those lines might work - maybe with slight shading towards the binding.
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Yeah, I think my need for a white LP bass will have to wait until I can find a basket case and do the whole thing in white. That would be cool for sure.
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I think dark amber (no burst or shading) would go very well with tort binding.
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Yeah Dave, there are no boundaries to my fickle behavior!
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Here she is. Top and binding finished. Got some sanding to do on the sides, then some thought about finish. The center line is dark for some reason, shows more than it should but I'll bury it some with finish. My main flaw, but not bad for my first time doing this.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1331.jpg)
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That's a very good bookmatch. Maybe a little too much glue saturated the veneer and changed the color on that part of the seam, even though it's now dry. But as you said, finish can mask it.
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That looks great! Are you going to dye it dark and sand it back to pop the figure? It looks so good now I would be tempted to hit it with some brown/black dye with a sand back with just a dusting of light amber. I think in this instance less will be more.
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I think a dark brown stain sanded back would be cool. Or, a dark amber tint might be enough. Got to think about it a bit!
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I like either the Carvin Brown or Gibson Amber, like Uwes rare pair for MeShell?
Actually natural is not bad either.
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Yeah, natural would be nice but I always like some color on top of the flame to bring it out more. Amber tint for sure, maybe some grain enhancement first. I'm going to experiment on a piece of left over veneer with some stain.
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Man I can't wait till my daughter goes to college ! Looking good !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Yep, one entirely out of the nest and the other with just 2 years of college left! Sure won't miss those tuition payments!
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Good job dude. Not a fan of natural maple personally, so ya, stain the biatch.
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Yep, gonna mix up some amber tint tonight!
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Found Basskisks bass pic
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/CHROMELP_CUJPG.jpg)
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oh yeah.....that's nice. I may go for a look like that.
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oh yeah.....that's nice. I may go for a look like that.
I think that'd look really nice with the binding you chose, but I'd go slightly lighter. (Though that may be my monitor!)
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It's not your monitor, George. If it were my choice, I'd go lighter too.
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Nice finish, but it would hide the binding. Pop the grain and give it some faint color - IMO ;D
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Yeah, I realize the dark cherry would be a problem with the binding. I'm still experimenting with tints right now on scraps. I might end up with Reranch amber tint and a very faint cherry edge. If I go that route, I'll have to wait for spring when I can spray outside.
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I've been working with some dyes on the maple top on this and I'm just not happy with any of the outcomes. I tried amber and that was OK and then did a cherry and that was not at all what I was looking for. I've sanded back a few times and things are getting dangerous thin!!! :o
I might pull out the sander and take it back down to mahogany or just finish it in the opaque white I was thinking of. I could do a gold top too just in honor of old LP guitars. Either way, the veneer project may turn into the opaque top! No big deal, I've only put a couple hours and $35 into the top.
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Well Bill, if nothing else, you've added more experience to your growing expertise!
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Yep, nothing ventured nothing gained (learned!).
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Or you could chamber the body and add a new maple top, like the BluesHawk?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ripper%20project/constr5.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ripper%20project/constr6.jpg)
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John, you've got BluesHawk on the brain. NTTAWWT.
Bill, I say just go with the opaque white and don't worry about what might have been. You'll be happy with it.
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I'm with John on the Blueshawk, there's just something about that body style that's very appealing.
Yeah, I'm gonna toss a coin on the white vs. gold. We'll see how I feel when my paint order arrives.
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OK, I grain filled this SOB 3 times and it'sfinally smooth. I hate mahogany! Anyway, here's the first coat of Fender blonde. I love this color. If I decide it doesn't work, gold the next step.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1377.jpg)
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Maybe it's the lighting but that looks a little darker than Fender blond. Maybe it's the mahogany.
What do you use for pore filler?
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TV yellow maybe?
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Maybe it's the lighting but that looks a little darker than Fender blond. Maybe it's the mahogany.
What do you use for pore filler?
The lighting in my shop is yellowish. It's more white than yellow and I think the dark mahog is showing through the first coat some.
I use Bartley's which I prefer and works well, but always takes at least 2 coats, sometimes more. It requires patience and I can run out of that some days!
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I will send some nice weather your way to speed things up.
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Nice weather would be welcome. We got up to 50 degrees today! Yahoo!
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LOL Yeah I can't wit to shot my restored NR !
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LOL Yeah I can't wit to shot my restored NR !
Any day now Scott!!!
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Shot almost an entire can of blonde and she looks great. I'll put some clear coats on next.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1378.jpg)
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Now that's beginning to look like the right shade of blond.
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Now that's beginning to look like the right shade of blond.
Yeah, it's getting there. Took the picture in the garage with natural light.
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Looking good. Funny but it almost looks like a aged white Tbird/cream
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Looking good. Funny but it almost looks like a aged white Tbird/cream
The Fender blond is very close to that, just a little less yellow and meant to be used as a transparent finish over highly grained ash. Sprayed solid (opaque), it gives a nice vintage white look.
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So you will have twins now, but not identical?
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So you will have twins now, but not identical?
Yep, it'll look pretty close to my white TB!
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The weather is here ... wish you were beautiful........
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The weather is here ... wish you were beautiful........
Me too! :D I've been spraying clear coat on and off all day long!
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What do you all think of a tort pick guard for a retro look on this bass? If I do one, should I just mount it like a typical LP guard with the chrome bracket or just screw it down to the top?
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A top mounted LP jr. style guard could be different?
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Very good point about the Jr.LP guard. It would be a diff,but great look. Sounds like Doc ought to cut some tortise paper out and see how it looks. I bet he likes it.
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Just say no to tort. 8)
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RDs and Rippers have tort, haven't they?
But black could be nice too!
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I've seen Rippers with tort. I just don't like it. Hey, he asked, I answered. I don't have to have a logical reason. 8)
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I don't have to have a logical reason. 8)
You sound like the Gibson bass department. Obvious they don't have any reasons to produce or discontinue basses and reasons why they've made certain basses;)
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Very good point about the Jr.LP guard. It would be a diff,but great look. Sounds like Doc ought to cut some tortise paper out and see how it looks. I bet he likes it.
Good idea, I could print something off the Internet and try that. Thanks!
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I've seen Rippers with tort. I just don't like it. Hey, he asked, I answered. I don't have to have a logical reason. 8)
I hear ya Dave. I used to hate tor as well as sunburst finishes. Now I love, for no particular reason, my brain just says "Oh yeah, I like that!" Can't figure it out.......
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its retro!! we are finding our youth again. Old guitars, old cars & young ladies! It makes total sense...everything old is new agin.....
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its retro!! we are finding our youth again. Old guitars, old cars & young ladies! It makes total sense...everything old is new agin.....
Couldn't have said it better myself. ;)
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OK, here she is with a mock-up LP tort guard. I can't believe how good it looks! Providing you like tort, that is! I'm working on a mock LP Jr. guard next. Do the black knobs look OK with the tort or should I use another color?
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1383.jpg)
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Looks good,better as a LPjr guard. Color is spot on . IMHO,M
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Looks good,better as a LPjr guard. Color is spot on . IMHO,M
I'm working on it!
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The mirror capped controls look very fine!
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I like tort generally, but on this Paula b/w/b would look better, sorry!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/DCP_2402.jpg)
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I'm going to be the voice of reason. Tort is just wrong to me on this bass.
5 ply black & white would be much better.
The knobs look great.
Really nice bass which I think turned out better than a flame top. Sometimes accidents do turn out for the better
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I like tort generally, but on this Paula b/w/b would look better, sorry!
Uh ouch, I agree. Tort on that RD sure doesn't work with that sunburst. I've learned that you just can't apply tort randomly, there has to be an aesthetic rationale for it!
Well, the b/w/b for the LP still is in the running. I'm working on that concept too.
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IMO the tort seems wrong on this one. But then I've never been a big fan of tort and find it over used in general. The b-w-b sounds promising. The chrome looks nice & bright on this one!
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No doubt the Torte looks great, but to me, is not Gibson.
To me its like putting P pickups or a Dark Star on it. Its fine, but I think diminishes the Gibson content considerably.
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No doubt the Torte looks great, but to me, is not Gibson.
To me its like putting P pickups or a Dark Star on it. Its fine, but I think diminishes the Gibson content considerably.
I know I'm letting my liking of tort govern my view of this bass and the pg. I am doing a black LP guard as well as an LP Jr pg mock up to see how that looks. Just for fun, I laid my Gibson EB-2 b/w/b pg on the bass and it does look pretty darn good! I'll post a pic of it when I can.
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Seems to me I have seen a black -beige(parchment?)-black guard somewhere. I agree the tort is not very gibby .itwould look good on blond. A black Lp Jr has quite an appear .FWIW
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Ok, here's the bass with my old EB-2 pg, just for grins, and a mock up LP Jr guard. I like 'em both! Egads! :P
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1392.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1390.jpg)
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Go with the b/w/b. 8)
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Go with the b/w/b. 8)
That does look good, doesn't it?
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the bwb looks good but I think it looks better with no guard at all!
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the bwb looks good but I think it looks better with no guard at all!
Yeah, I could go that route, but there's something about a guard on a LP that I like. We'll see. I'm leaning toward a b-w-b modified EB-style right now.
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I love the JR guard. Do something different. You're not restoring this back to original, so why not do the LP Junior guard in BWBWB and call it a day.
It still says Gibson nicely
I vote for Jr!
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I love the JR guard. Do something different. You're not restoring this back to original, so why not do the LP Junior guard in BWBWB and call it a day.
It still says Gibson nicely
I vote for Jr!
Cool idea, I didn't think about the 5-layer idea. That might be pretty cool too. SO much to think about, so many choices!!!
You are right though, I'm not going for a restore here, it's more my own thing for sure!
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I like the Jr guard and I'm also a little bit proud I suggested it:)
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I like the Jr guard and I'm also a little bit proud I suggested it:)
I agree! I made a final heavy pattern and ordered some b/w/b/w/b pg material. Should look pretty cool!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1403.jpg)
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I agree! I made a final heavy pattern and ordered some b/w/b/w/b pg material. Should look pretty cool!
Wait...you're not gonna have Roger do it? ;D ;)
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Wait...you're not gonna have Roger do it? ;D ;)
Grrrrr......not till hell freezes over! >:( Besides, I can do it at 1/3 the cost!
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Love the LP Jr pick guard, 5 ply will look so cool ! I have enjoyed watching this bass take on various looks, this is the best yet.
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Love the LP Jr pick guard, 5 ply will look so cool ! I have enjoyed watching this bass take on various looks, this is the best yet.
Thanks, I like it too now!
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If you decide you dont like it now ,New hampshire is next to Vermont and we dont turn away strays and wayward folks(and electrics). so send her to me ,she will be loved.
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It's good to know there are still good Samaritans out there!
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;D
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(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/icon_mrgreen.gif)
love the color
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(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/icon_mrgreen.gif)
love the color
Yeah, it looks much better than I thought it would!
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I think it's on eof the best project basses I've seen here.
It's a shame, though, you didn't thought about clownburst;)
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I think it's on eof the best project basses I've seen here.
It's a shame, though, you didn't thought about clownburst;)
Yeah, I think one clownburst per forum is plenty! That should be the legal limit! The blonde is nice and I'll start wet sanding it in a couple weeks. I like it nice and dry before I touch it.
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Got the b/w/b/w/b pg material yesterday and it's really nice. Will try to make the guard soon and post it.
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Cool! I just can't wait:)
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so you own the little pickguard bevel router bit?
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so you own the little pickguard bevel router bit?
Nope, I cut it out with a jig saw, file the bevel on by hand and then sand. I have the bevel but you have to make a stupid template to use it and it takes too long to mess with.
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Here's the pg, all done but some final shaping and the beveling. I take my paper template, use 3M spray glue to attach it to the face of the pg material (on top of the plastic protective cover). After many screw ups, this method has worked well for me.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Pickguard%20tutorial/100_1428.jpg)
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All right...now it's starting to look more like the finished project. :thumbsup:
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:rimshot:
Great! It'll be very nice!!
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Yep, I'll finish the guard tomorrow morning while my son sleeps in!
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..U want to adopt another son ...Ill be gud I promise :mrgreen:
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..U want to adopt another son ...Ill be gud I promise :mrgreen:
Sorry, I hit my limit with two, but I'd be happy to be your Godfather, no strings attached! 8)
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Here it is, just some final sanding and polishing left to do. I like it!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Pickguard%20tutorial/100_1435.jpg)
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Niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee !
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you do nice work, doc. is the back still cherry?
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That turned out sweet!
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oooohhhh!,very nice.i didn't expect a scratch plate! nice touch.
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Very, very nice!! Love it. The guard looks even better than I thought it would be!
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Chrome is to Gibson, as 5 ply black/white pickguard, as is Mudbucker, as is mahogany
It's the Gibson recipe
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That looks saweet! I love the Jr look and I concede the BWB looks better than tort
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That looks saweet! I love the Jr look and I concede the BWB looks better than tort
Yeah, the tort was an idea because it's my favorite, but sometimes a favorite material isn't the best for a particular application. This has turned out really nice.
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That pickguard looks perfect on there! Nice job!
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That pickguard looks perfect on there! Nice job!
Thanks, I think it's rather attractive myself!
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Yeah~ Lookin' real goood, doc! 8)
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Thanks! I still have to wait a couple weeks for the nitro to cure so I can sand and polish it up. This is the part I hate!
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Interesting, how that bass looks white on these pics when it is in fact - I dare presume - TV yellow? There must certainly be an explanation for this phenomenon ...
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You need to color sync your monitor
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the color is hard to visualize on computer. It's Fender Blonde which has a hint of yellow which looks darker online than in person.
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Got the polishing finished this morning! Next we'll install the hardware, slot the nut and string it up for a trial run.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1848.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1849.jpg)
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cherry vanilla! looks great Dr B.
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cherry vanilla! looks great Dr B.
I love cherry vanilla. I didn't even think of that!
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Daaaaamn!!I go visit my mom in RI and Doc gets out the pollish. Must be the kitchen is back to normal and the wife gave you a shop pass. I agree the waiting sucks. I screwed up my first couple projects being impatient.My hobbit HO has some surface defects that I will fix as soon as I finish another shortie.
Doc, your an inspiration.. I may do my moderne project in cherry vanilla! :mrgreen:
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Yeah, the kitchen's done except for wall paper, which my wife is doing. She's got a meeting tonight so I'm in the shop for 3-4 hours, yeah!!!! I should be able to wire up the LP and fret the neck for the Vox HB.
A cherry vanilla moderne sounds nice. I think vintage white and red go so nice together.
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On to the nut now...............
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1850.jpg)
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Wow, that looks really nice.
Great Job, the pickguard really makes this bass cool.
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when you goin on vaca again ,doc?.................... :o :mrgreen:
That looks awesome. I hope Gibby doesnt get ideas from this. That should be a one of a kind.
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Wow, that looks really nice.
Great Job, the pickguard really makes this bass cool.
Thanks, it really is a nice touch!
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when you goin on vaca again ,doc?.................... :o :mrgreen:
That looks awesome. I hope Gibby doesnt get ideas from this. That should be a one of a kind.
Well now....if anything turns up missing, I know who to finger when the cops arrive!!! 8)
I don't think Gibson has the imagination when it comes to basses. They have 1,000 versions of LP guitars though!! :bored:
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This would be cool to do, with one of those bodies, using Greatdealz G-3 pups is a bass version of this -
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ripper%20project/S1.jpg)
I was considering this for my Blueshawk, but really calls out for a flat top LP body.
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Oh yeah, that is cool looking. I love the body, headstock, pup combination.
This would be cool to do, with one of those bodies, using Greatdealz G-3 pups is a bass version of this -
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ripper%20project/S1.jpg)
I was considering this for my Blueshawk, but really calls out for a flat top LP body.
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That would be a great prject. i happened to drool over a picture of this guitar some days ago. it's a very underrated guitar, but a great design. Didn't Woody use one in the Faces?
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That would be a great prject. i happened to drool over a picture of this guitar some days ago. it's a very underrated guitar, but a great design. Didn't Woody use one in the Faces?
I'm sure he was featured in ads for them at the time, but I think he'd joined the Stones by then. They are very underrated, my brother had one for a while, quite a lot of tones with three pickups and a varitone. I have its' sister the Marauder, Gibsons' "Keef" it hangs next to my Grabber in the pointy headstock bolt-on section of the collection. Hmmmmm...........a bass version?!?
Nah, gotta' do the RD next!
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It would be so easy & inexpensive to build using one of those LP carcasses that were floating around. or you could us an EPI Bolt on LP body and a G-3 Neck that pop up on the bay from time to time.
It would also be cool to make a Ripper thickness Maple Body like it. Maple is a tough wood to work with though, need freash Carbide bits
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This would be cool to do, with one of those bodies, using Greatdealz G-3 pups is a bass version of this -
I was considering this for my Blueshawk, but really calls out for a flat top LP body.
Given Gibson's history of using the same pups on both guitars and basses what makes you think that the S1 pups are not the same as G3 pups? Even the naming convention implies similarity.
Isn't the S1 a flat top? Or did I completely misunderstand you there.
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My bet is they are the same pups. I don't know if anyone has ever truly confirmed that though.
It is a flat top and isn't, it has a large contour on the top edge, so is not exactly like the Paul flat top body, only in shape, I guess?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/ripper%20project/s1collage.jpg)
Certainly would be easy to change that!
The upper pickguard even has a tip of the hat to a JE Fenderbird, by using an upper horn pickguard on a body without a horn!!. Using that type pickguard sure makes life easy to build one
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/Fendbent.jpg)
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It's sort of like an SG curve on a LP shape.
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Good point, I also kind of see a smaller lower edged contour and a slight SG like contour on the inside of the lower horn.
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Man, I do like those shapes. Maybe I'll have to do a bass like that when I get the other 5 done!!!
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I also thought about the SG shape. Of course it's family..
I know such a guitar for sale somewhere and it isn't expensive
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I honestly had never seen one of these before! New look to me! :o
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OK, I wired up my LP and it's not quite right. What's the best layout for wiring a LP bass with a 3-way? Anyone have a diagram they could share?
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I wired my Ripper with a 3 way switch 2 (independent) vol and 2 tone. I think I used the diagram StewMac has on their site.
http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Electronics/Wiring_diagrams/i-1217.html
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I was looking at the S1 and I recalled a body I acquired some years ago. Its mahog with a light tiger maple cap . Its thick and heavy! It was rounded off on the edges so I put it away. I was not too keen . Ill photo it and get u'alls opinion about its potential. Run it through the planer a few times . :o
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I wired my Ripper with a 3 way switch 2 (independent) vol and 2 tone. I think I used the diagram StewMac has on their site.
http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Electronics/Wiring_diagrams/i-1217.html
Thanks, that looks familiar. I didn't have any problems wiring my all maple NR with 2 pups and a 3-way switch. I think I'm gonna take a look at that and see where I may have gone wrong here.
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I was looking at the S1 and I recalled a body I acquired some years ago. Its mahog with a light tiger maple cap . Its thick and heavy! It was rounded off on the edges so I put it away. I was not too keen . Ill photo it and get u'alls opinion about its potential. Run it through the planer a few times . :o
I'd love to see that. And plaing wouldn't hurt it a bit if it's over weight!
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I dusted her off and wet the surfaces .
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP0731.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP0733.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP0735.jpg)
now I have to figure out if the PG will fit on this slab-o-wud.
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That's nice looking figuring on the top! I like the Mosrite-style carving. You could plane some off the back if you needed to. How thick is it?
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Over 1 3/4 ". Dimensions seem to be dead on.
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Over 1 3/4 ". Dimensions seem to be dead on.
Wow, I wouldn't hesitate to take 1/4" or so off of that. My all maple NR is 1 3/16".
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this one's 1.71"
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/rsteiner/lpb1.jpg)
and the triumph is 1.85"
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b342/rsteiner/bodyfrontud5.jpg)
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I dusted her off and wet the surfaces .
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP0731.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP0733.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP0735.jpg)
now I have to figure out if the PG will fit on this slab-o-wud.
That does look nice!
I see you have a furry building companion as well
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Yeah ,yellow lab,she is great! And I got the wife a lap dog a couple years back . Female Pomeranian named Hendrix(Foxy lady,cuz she looks like a little fox). The most non lap-lap dog I have ever seen . She is funny as hell. Only sits on wifes lap if the cat is there.
I got home from camping in NY and My S1 pickguard (B,W,B)is here . Ill take some pics 2 nite.M
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c'est si bon!
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP0736.jpg)
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Whoa, I like that pick guard! 3 pup bass?
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The Spec sheet, which I imagine is similar to the G-3?
The chickenhead knob appears to be like a Ripper, but I'm not sure how the pickup toggle & chicken head effect each other?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/s1specsheetL.jpg)
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Yeah, I read the the specs and the 2 way toggle has me stumped. I took a chance and ordered a PG, which was the ultimate tell all as to whether this body is worthy. As much as I wanted to do a Blueshawk, the Moderne shortscale project turned my attention,then you guys posted the S1 and off I went. I have most all the parts for both builds. The blue blueshawk deserves all the limelight it can get in my opinion. Ill still prob build one but not just yet.
Doc I see your delivering twins!
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All I can say is to check that the 34 1/2 scale will work with the body, if that is the scale you are thinking of ?
I ended up adding 1/4 to my Blueshawk body length and the bridge still ended up on the edge. It worked, but just made it. Of coarse a more traditional bridge will give you a little more room.
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I have a bridge ,TP in mind but I have to do some modifying .should be cool though . Ill post when I find the bridge & tp.Barkless, I just sent you a couple pics and my MAC farted. U get them ?
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yes, thanks, quite a crew you got there, always there to lend a paw!
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found it . Sperzels too boot!
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP0737.jpg)
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Wow that looks great. I would just leave it natural like Gibson would have.
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the bridge is a funny story. I found on a german site. it was for my pontiac gold t bird build a few years back (avatar) and I went with the black (in honor of Unk & Uwe of course). I should take a pic of the PG . I had an old pontiac logo made.
Unk was the owner/friend in high school that had a big Pontiac 2 door with a big block and a 3 speed shift on the steering column. This car could hold 3 in front , 4 in back seat and countless cases of brewskis& gear.
I have to plane it an see the figure 1st.
Im thinkin black or grey top ,natural back. Maybe a black/natural burst.i love natural mahog. tough part is wiring but Im on that also. I love the process.
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Sorry, what bridge is that? Close up pics plz.
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Here you go . I need to put some post holes.etc...
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP0738.jpg)
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Interesting. So it mounts on posts like a tune-o-matic?
Are those saddles really wafer thin or is it just a trick of light?
Where do I get one?
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They are thin and it will go on posts once I get some and drill the holes. Ill get the name for you :mrgreen:
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Me too, I'd be interested in one of those.
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amazingly I remembered
http://www.ets-hardware.com/
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thanks! What's the string spacing on it? Do you remember what it cost?
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at the moment its 3/4".(2 3/8" E-G)there are 5 adjust nuts on each saddle,3-height ,1 lock & 1 for lateral saddle adjust. there is about 1/16 " on either side of saddle which makes it flexible. there are mounting holes under saddles for fixed mount.Im drilling 'cause I like the flexibility. slots are small so some file work is necessary,which I like. i remember it was about $150.00. but that was several years back, I think.
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Found an european dealer, those bridges seems very well made.
http://www.bassparts.de/
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awesome site!!thanx. that sure is easier than my purchase several years ago.they are very well made,BTW. they even come in black!
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Yeah, I'm thinking one of those would be nice. I also scored a nice Guild NOS bridge on the bay the other day with adjustable rollers, my favorite style. It's the one they used with B-301s and the like.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Misc%20Stuff/bf2b_3.jpg)
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Ali McMordie of Stiff Little fingers played a Guild B-302 on their early tours (late 70s). I emailed him asking about the bass and he mentioned (among other things he didn't like about it) that the bridge bolts tore up his hand.
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Whew, fortunate for me I usually rest my thumb on the neck pickup when I play. I love thump/mud and never play anywhere near the bridge on my basses. Good info to know though. :)
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the bridge is a funny story. I found on a german site. it was for my pontiac gold t bird build a few years back (avatar) and I went with the black (in honor of Unk & Uwe of course). I should take a pic of the PG . I had an old pontiac logo made.
Unk was the owner/friend in high school that had a big Pontiac 2 door with a big block and a 3 speed shift on the steering column. This car could hold 3 in front , 4 in back seat and countless cases of brewskis& gear.
I have to plane it an see the figure 1st.
Im thinkin black or grey top ,natural back. Maybe a black/natural burst.i love natural mahog. tough part is wiring but Im on that also. I love the process.
Blue would work
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/blushsbaspsd.jpg)
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Yes it would but as I said before,That blues hawk deserves some solo time in the lime light .Truly an inspiration for me and Im sure there are many others that drool over her. We are fortunate that we have the focus for such projects. Or is it we are just fuggin nutz!!!
Ive got 2 non- existent Gibby mongrels to do plus my StarfireII in green (which I dont have the stones to try yet) When I do the blueshawk its either gonna be green :mrgreen:or natural. I do like the black/red od Uwe's Nikki bird though, and I hate red after stripping all that chit off the Starfire!!!
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Yep, red is a bear to remove, that's why I always apply my transparent colors over a couple coats of S&S for easy removal if I don't like it.
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OK, she's done except for some fret dressing and nut finishing I need to do. Got the messed up ground fixed (my fault of course when soldering). It turned out even better than I imagined it would. The Fralin pups are great and I mean great! I did a little comparison to my 60s TB bass with the SD custom pup, and they both really sound very much alike. Booming lows with just the neck pup and lots of mids and high growl with both or the neck pup only. I have SIT rounds on it and they are a little softer sounding than normal rounds, but I like that it doesn't sound like a piano!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1896.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1897.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1898.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/98%20Les%20Paul%20Bass/100_1901.jpg)
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Strawberry vanilla looks awesome !Again ,Im humbled.
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Strawberry vanilla looks awesome !Again ,Im humbled.
Thanks Mike, however I'm not that good! Just persistent! :P
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Great job there DR B!! That turned out great!
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Great job there DR B!! That turned out great!
Thanks! I'm just happy it sounds so darn good! I'll have to try her out with my band next week.
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That looks so much better than it did when it left the factory. Beautiful. Nice work.
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Persistantly Good!
Im gonna post a pic of my roughed out Moderne neck tonight . It will look good stawberry vanilla . I may have to tone or darken the strawberry a bit though. I have a silver gibby logo for the head and some gibby/gotoh machines. I have some nice nickel 2x2's but they would put the strings to far to the center.
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Great job on that one - really striking design, and I love the cherry+vanilla two-tone.
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Persistantly Good!
Im gonna post a pic of my roughed out Moderne neck tonight . It will look good stawberry vanilla . I may have to tone or darken the strawberry a bit though. I have a silver gibby logo for the head and some gibby/gotoh machines. I have some nice nickel 2x2's but they would put the strings to far to the center.
I'm looking forward to seeing that one!
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Thanks Dave and Joe. I think there is so much Gibson could do with their bass line. They don't seem to lack for imagination when it comes to doing 500 variations of an LP guitar. But basses? Not happening!
I'm gonna be proud to take this puppy out for a gig now and then.
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I tried to get my wife to do the bikini but no dice
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP0751.jpg)
Volute
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP0752.jpg)
heal
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shadowcastaz/IMGP0753.jpg)
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not a fan (pun) of the moderne headstock, but like the body
Too bad the LP did not have the ice cream cup headstock, that would have been perfect. Wonderful job on the LP. another winner
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Im really not either but together w/ the body etc it works. The GOM is a reverse explorer w a similar headstock and the direct drive tuners. I think its well done except for the powder coated pups.
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Wow, weird headstock for sure! I'm sure it does work well with that funky body. Be sure to start a dedicated thread with this bass project so no one misses it here.
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Yo Doc, that LP turned out sweet. Good job.
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Yo Doc, that LP turned out sweet. Good job.
Thanks Granny. I'm really happy with it all the way around. It sounds great. Someday I'll figure out how to record and post my basses!