Summer Fun: S.D. Curlee Restoration

[dadagoboi]

That would be the George Hamilton tan-refin technique, right?

The color is a lot more convincing than George's.

[dadagoboi]

Whole lotta sanding 60/80/120/180


My new spray stand allows vertical and horizontal spraying.  the 16" length of 1/2 inch EMT fits into a union on the vertical piece of EMT.  For the horizontal the EMT slides into a piece of 1/2" PVC which is pinched with a C clamp to allow rotation while holding the bass in place.  High quality duct tape keeps it together


Sealer/Sand 240/Sealer...pup routes were made deeper using the Rickenbacker forstner bit and a chisel method.


Scuff sand with 400, then 2 coats Mohawk nitro Piano lacquer 1/2 hr apart, no sanding in between coats



I think 2 more coats should do it.  Scuff sand first.

[Pilgrim]

Man, THAT bass went to the right guy!!!!!!!!

[sniper]

 High quality duct tape keeps it together

a red and green fan?

looking good Carlo.

[dadagoboi]

Pretty amazing that a bass retailing for around $350 new in the 1980s had a one piece body made of wood this nice.  Probably why they failed





Birdsong guitars has started doing an authorized repro...$1800 and up
http://www.sdcurleeusa.com/

[Dave W]

That is a nice looking plank at any price.

Birdsong guitars has started doing an authorized repro...$1800 and up
http://www.sdcurleeusa.com/

"American made since 1975"    Very misleading. They're making a repro of a bass from a company that went out of business nearly 30 years ago, and some of the originals were MIJ.

[Psycho Bass Guy]

Man, THAT bass went to the right guy!!!!!!!!

AB-SO-FRIKKEN-LUTELY!!!! I've never liked SD Curlee basses in looks or sound then Carlo gets ahold of one and the damn thing turns into art!

[sniper]

AB-SO-FRIKKEN-LUTELY!!!! I've never liked SD Curlee basses in looks or sound then Carlo gets ahold of one and the damn thing turns into art!

Carlo is Chuck Norris approved

[Pilgrim]

Carlo is Chuck Norris approved

Carlo is so damn good that HE approves of Chuck Norris! 

[drbassman]

Amen, it's looking soooooooooooo good!  I need my shades on just to look at it!!!!!! 

[dadagoboi]

Thanks, guys!  Waiting on some toner for the neck, it's taking forever.

[godofthunder]

Looks beautiful, I still have major GAS for one of these. The new ones look nice but the 2k price tag 

[dadagoboi]

Looks beautiful, I still have major GAS for one of these. The new ones look nice but the 2k price tag 

They do seem pricey, especially with an oil finish.

[Dave W]

I wouldn't consider buying a new one at any price unless they label it a Birdsong, which is what it is. Copy the style, fine, but don't claim it's a Curlee when you're not a successor to the original company.

This is the same company that claimed its short scale five string had increased string tension because of a goofy "double string through" arrangement. Nope.

[Highlander]

V