Planning the new bass

[drbassman]

Looking good, Doc!  I haven't had any problem with maple glued into mahogany.  How are those Eden necks?

Thanks Carlo.  The Eden necks are nonexistent.  Using whatever I have on hand for now.

[Nocturnal]

Looking good!!

[drbassman]

Looking good!!

Thanks!  It's great to be working on them again.

[Dave W]

I really like the figure on the solidbody.

...The Eden necks are nonexistent.  Using whatever I have on hand for now.

Why am I not surprised?

[drbassman]

I really like the figure on the solidbody.

Why am I not surprised?

Yep.  Lots of promises, no action.

[sniper]

new bass kicks ass Doc.

[Pilgrim]

I like all the stains, but the maple solid body is going to have an especially nice look when finished, IMO.

[drbassman]

I finally had time to start some finishing.  The hollow body and all maple have two coats of poly, the dark brown body just sanding sealer.  Since I'm still in development mode, I decided to try something radical:  brush on finishing.  Only done it on furniture before, but I just detest not being able to comfortably finish basses in the winter here in upstate NY.  I envy you Carlo!  There are numerous advantages for me.  No need to spend money heating my barn or dragging butt out there in sub-freezing temps through 2 feet of snow.  The finish dries in a matter of hours not weeks, a big plus!  And, it can be put on thinly but it's durable.  There are more steps than spraying, but dry time of 4 hours makes it easy to keep the project rolling along.  Wet sanding and the rest is pretty much the same process.  We'll see how it goes!

BTW, got one of those nifty Stew-Mac finishing arms/brackets so I can just spin the bodies around while applying the finish.  I thought about building one, but I just went for the pre-fab alternative.  Nice little tool, works great!

[dadagoboi]

Looks great, Bill!  Whatever works is OK with me!

[drbassman]

Looks great, Bill!  Whatever works is OK with me!

Hey thanks Carlo.  I know you have humidity down there but dealing with snow and below freezing temps is a real pain!  I'm still working on my technique, but it shows promise.

[Dave W]

Here's an idea for you, Bill: guitar spray booth made from a doghouse

[drbassman]

Here's an idea for you, Bill: guitar spray booth made from a doghouse

Thanks Dave, that's a new one!  I've seen them made from cardboard to plastic sheeting.  I just don't feel like going through the motions.  Besides, the real cost is a good quality fan that is spark-free and moves a lot of cfm.

[drbassman]

I was happy and pissed last night.  The finish on the maple top basses is coming along nicely, but the hollow cherry body sucked.  I took a chance on the cherry and learned that you must grain fill this wood, just like mahogany.  I thought the high build poly I was using would work and it didn't.  I ended up with a Gibson-style finish, only worse.  So I'm stripping it today and starting over.  This reminds me of my first 2 or 3 finishing projects.  They all had multiple attempts before I got it right!  I should have known better in this case.  Fortunately, I really don't mind stripping all that much.  I'd rather get it right in the end.  Better living through chemistry!   

[Pilgrim]

I ended up with a Gibson-style finish, only worse. 

ROFL!!

Truth at its most biting.   

[drbassman]

ROFL!!

Truth at its most biting.   

Yep, who needs another Gibson finish?