RD or not RD, that is the question... another refurb on the go...

[Highlander]

Some of you will remember this horror story, but for those that don't this is a link to my original posting which will give you the seriously gory details...

http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=1988.0

The original chrome bridge is presently esconsed on Scott's new Ripper and a black one sits awaiting a new set of posts which I think I've now sourced...


...as you can see, I started to pick away at the lacquer-coated neck which pealed off with remarkable ease...


... but the face of the head is a badly crackled...


... the face of the neck fully stripped...

Some questions gentleman...
I intend to leave the neck bare, but will maple tolerate being used as a fretless...? (this is the only fretless instrument I've owned - I do remember playing a fretless maple-necked Jazz years back...)
The Nitromors stripper I used on the Thunderbird should strip the remainder of the body, but do I have to take specific care of the face of the head...?

Scott suggested leaving all the holes in place as a reminder of how complex an instrument became so simplified, but there is a bit of me that is thinking about plugging the lot and leaving her with just the original pup in the neck position and using Tony's old 20/20 as a "filler" for the other hole, but I may still go for the EMG inside the 20/20 - she'll still be minimalistic... early days...

[OldManC]

Another show in the making! Can't wait to see how she turns out...

[godofthunder]

Well if you are giving her the treatment you may as well go whole hog !

[Lightyear]

Yes indeed - go for the whole enchilada!

I would leave the peg head as is and I would be very tempted to epoxy to fingerboard.

[shadowcastaz]

Id loose the panda , leave as is and use 1200 -2400  gentle wet sand  & buff it . Cracks= mojo . Cant hurt! . What are you filling the fret slots with ? Nice project.M

[drbassman]

I'd fill the unwanted holes in the body and do a nice veneer over the top and wet sand/polish the headstock as suggested already.  A few age cracks up there should be fine and validates the bass's heritage.

[Highlander]

She's going to have a solid colour fin but the neck will be natural, oiled...

Not to sure what to think about the fret positions as they were filled in 26 years ago - the neck is perfectly smooth with not a mark on it (frontally)

Still have not found the TRC, but then again, still haven't found the gold Peter Cook pup - there's an awful lot of boxes in my loft space.

a light W&D on the face of the head it will be - may be partially tempted to do the back and edge of the head same colour as the body and fade into the neck...

[FlatEric]

Me again - just dropped on this one!

I have just quickly gone through the original post, which I read when I first came on board.
Boy, has that thing gone through the mill!!!!
You are obviously not frightened of "getting in there" and moulding the beast to your requirements.
Is there anything you have or have had that hasn't been under the surgeon's knife??

On another note - have you seen how much RD's are fetching??
I so want a sunburst one but think I would now have to sell something precious to afford it. Bah Humbug!

Cheers.

[Highlander]

Don't ever really want to buy something I would not be willing to mod if required, and if I buy something it is for keeps, usually...

Only one bass escaped any alterations and I don't even have a picture... a fixed neck Jazz with rear fitted conns that was active - lovely neck but was just not me - dark wood - natural fin - not sure what she was now - literally bought whilst still actively trying to go pro ('83) when I was late for a rehearsal, saw this on the wall, and bought her on the spot, using gear that was in the studio...

Ah... also had a Strat copy, too... actually I ended up with two - one had a split body - built the best of the two into one - sold both on...

Things that did not make it are my Grenn EB2 copy, which was destroyed during rebuilds post the PC purchase, and a Shergold that just was not worth the effort - still have the pup surround...

The Mandolin is almost exactly as purchased (by my wife and daughter)

Another rebuild project is my '74 SG Special... 6 string, that is...

[Highlander]

Rave from the graveyard that is my shed...

I finally got off my butt, cleared the cobwebs and pulled the posts out this afternoon, measured up all the holes and was stuck thinking... where do I get 13mm and 10mm maple...?

I compromised... maple drumsticks come in 13mm, so waiting for the post...

[shadowcastaz]

I like docs idea of  veneering the top, but he has mucho clamps. Now he has a vacume press so we should be seeing a whiole new level of refins from uipstate NY!
Im glad you are considering leaving the cracks in the headstock. Keep us posted.M

[Highlander]

I intend to leave the neck as much alone as I can, just the polish up to the face, but I'm going to plug everything and possibly remain with just the one pot as a master and the selector switch...

The body is another thing... no veneer is going on...

[Highlander]

Holes plugged - I'll post a pic once I've sanded down...

[Highlander]

Light sanding on the head - as previously suggested by Buzz and Shadow, leaving as is - nicely distressed and aged...


Holes that need to be plugged are - sanding started - going to need a new sander as the old one is on the way out - presently ripping in with 80 grit...

[Lightyear]

Be careful with the power sander Mr. Butcher!   It's easy to cause ripples and bumps with to much sander - especially around your plugs as the grain is different (DAMHIKT ).  A good sanding block and very good sandpaper can work wonders.