Fenderbird Resurrection

[dadagoboi]

Started out as a tribute to my long gone '55 P Bass.  Then I came across a Custom Shop neck and changed the build to a '57 spec.  Duncan Raised A Antiquity pup.  The finish is Minwax white stain under Mohawk nitro sealer and lacquer.  Weighs a little under 8 lbs.  Currently sporting correct bridge not the Gotoh shown

[dadagoboi]

I cleaned up the self butchered headstock.  Maple veneer, sealer, toner to blend into neck finish and clear.



Pickguard is done, the body is ready for finish, I'm still waiting for supplies from Mohawk.  Gonna shoot for trans orange, if that fails will try something else.  Made a pup ring from a Strat trem cover, stuck some aluminum tape on it, I'll be looking into some sheet aluminum or stainless.  Same trick w/the pups.  Will have to redo them, alum tape is fragile.  I may trim down that ring, it looks big.  Decided to go with bridge/tailpiece set up.

Oh yeah, I had to reveneer the top.  Titebond didn't work, it was my ineptitude.  The ash veneer was old and buckled and I tried to fake cauls and clamping.  For the reveneer I used contact cement.  No bicycle tubes were involved but a windmill and wooden shoes were considered.

Anybody got a vacuum plating source?

[drbassman]

Looks great!  I have a couple sources for the vacuum rigs, but they are all way over priced! 

[godofthunder]

That looks really great, a cool interpretation of JAEs famed bass !

[dadagoboi]

Thanks for the encouragement guys!  It's still a work in progress, pup ring and pg screws too big, etc.  But eventually I'll get it closer.

Looks great!  I have a couple sources for the vacuum rigs, but they are all way over priced! 

Like how much overpriced?  When I read "vaporize metal" was part of the process I realized it probably wasn't a DIY.

Lot of vac plating being done for car restorations but it does seem pricey, especially when you consider companies selling 'chrome' spray paint can afford to vac plate the caps on the cans.  Aluminum looks worth investigating from 1 mil flashing to .080 sheet and up.  Even the tape I'm using can be polished and probably clearcoated.  There's also the metal formica type stuff.

[drbassman]

I misunderstood you!  I was thinking vacuum clamping veneers onto wood surfaces.  You're talking metal palting, right?  In that case, I don't know anything about it!   

[dadagoboi]

I misunderstood you!  I was thinking vacuum clamping veneers onto wood surfaces.  You're talking metal palting, right?  In that case, I don't know anything about it!   

Probably better not to know.  I have an Onsrud inverted pin router, it came with a vac pump that would work for a veneer press.  This is (was?) the link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120580456940&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Should make multiple body production a lot easier.  Analog, Baby!

[drbassman]

Wow, I'd love one of those, but I keep blowing my money on basses!!! I gotta work on some new tools!

[dadagoboi]

Wow, I'd love one of those, but I keep blowing my money on basses!!! I gotta work on some new tools!

For me the best antidote for G.A.S. is machinery to make your own.  I think I read a post where you said something similar.

I'm basically a bolt on guy so builds are fairly simple once you take making necks out of the equation. 

[drbassman]

I do love adding to my equipment, but every now and then I see something I just have to buy to calm my GAS.  I might have to sell a few things to work on my shop some more.

[dadagoboi]

I'm depending on the machines to keep the GAS at bay for a while.  I've got too many projects that need to be completed and now I have no excuse for not finishing them.

[Highlander]

I've always preferred to use antacid tablets... easier on the throat...

[godofthunder]

I realy love that you made your own version and not a copy (exact replicas a great i am working on one myself) My first build in 1981 was my version of a Fenderbird built to suit me. The body is sandwiched 7/8" Honduran mahogany hand carved. powered by a single Dimarzio Model G. The body at it's thickest point is 1 1/2"  I was working under the theory more mass =more sustain with this bass it most certainly does ! Loud and aggressive this bass is not to be messed with.

[dadagoboi]

I realy love that you made your own version and not a copy (exact replicas a great i am working on one myself) My first build in 1981 was my version of a Fenderbird built to suit me. The body is sandwiched 7/8" Honduran mahogany hand carved. powered by a single Dimarzio Model G. The body at it's thickest point is 1 1/2"  I was working under the theory more mass =more sustain with this bass it most certainly does ! Loud and aggressive this bass is not to be messed with.

COOL!  I love the way the body radiates from the center.  My 'bird dates from '81 too, it's about 1 1/2" thick, done with a craftsman jigsaw and router from an ash blank I had somebody glue up.  I don't know why I thought I needed higher fret access but I guess Big Hair craziness had taken over.  I've cut almost 2 inches off the lower horn and made the body less angular since then.  I think I've seen the one you're working on, looking forward to the results.  Real men use real honduras.

[Highlander]

You're in good company with Scott an myself there - Scott's "Butcherbird" and my Thunderbird have higher access than normal, and mine was built that way...