Hi-Flyer Project!

[Pilgrim]

AH!!!!

Wisdom is yours, Dr. Bassman!

[Pilgrim]

OK, the Aria is here...no new shots yet, but I'll get that done soon.

Report: The neck is in generally good condition, but the fretboard is loose from the neck on the top five frets. This isn't any big problem, as there is no damage and the fretboard can easily be glued back in place.  SUGGESTIONS as to what glue to use?  Super glue would be easy, but I'm tempted to get some hide glue from Stew-Mac in case I ever need to pull the fretboard. Sometimes permanent adhesives are the wrong thing to use.

The rosewood is good and the frets have enough wear to show some notches on the bottom couple of frets, but I don't think they're badly worn.  The nut is missing - no biggie.

Wood on the body is in good shape, no major gouges or dings, so it's definitely in shape to be refinished in natural or in a solid color.  I'm still temped to go natural to match the headstock.

Original color is questionable.  The neck pocket and pickup cavities have yellow paint in them, and it looks more like re-spray than original sunburst finish.  I'll look at it some more.

Pots and jack are present, two switches of unknown function are present (probably on/off for each pickup), and the pickguard has no cracks or damage, which is very nice.

Pix coming as soon as I can get 'em up.

[drbassman]

Sounds great Al, looking forward to it.  Use simple Titebond glue, it's forgiving and can be steamed off in the future if ever needed.  If you don't have one, get a glue syringe and wedge the crack open enough to get glue all the way down to the end of the opening.  When you're running glue into the crack, mount the neck with the head straight down, gravity is a great helper!

[Bass VI]

 Plus one on the Doctors' suggestion of Titebond, plenty strong and reversable. Use the original (red label/cap) they make a Titebond II & III but the original formula is the best for this situation, and most other guitar/bass repairs.

I've also been using LMI instrument makers white glue for a few projects, very strong but it sets up very quickly. It also dries very hard, to the point of being a bit tricky when sanding a glue joint, the wood seems to "sand down faster than the seam itself. Maybe all wood glues do this but I've only noticed it with the LMI stuff.

Sorry to get off topic with an adhesive discussion, congrats on a really cool bass (it was on my watch list too) looking forward to seeing its' restoration.

S.

[Pilgrim]

Photos are in...the top one shows the fretboard separation - look for the penknife wedging it open.

Fretboard separation:


Fret wear and missing nut:


Body (note yellow paint in pickup cavities):


Body:


Back:


Pickguard:


CU of pickguard showing cool gold pearloid color:

[SKATE RAT]

Cleveland Indians?? thats a way cool project.

[Dave W]

If the truss rod appears to be working when you have the fretboard clamped down, it shouldn't be a major operation.

[drbassman]

Lots of potential there Al.  I only use th original Titebond for my guitar work, I agree that you don't need the II or II stuff.  Dave's right on regarding the truss rod too.

[Barklessdog]

Cleveland Indians?? thats a way cool project.

Chief WAHOO!

One of the oldest racist American sports symbols!

I've been to the Wigwam club!

[Dave W]

Chief Wigwam!

One of the oldest racist American sports symbols!

I've been to the Wigwam club!

I don't know anything about the Wigwam club, but I'm pretty sure it's Chief Wahoo.

[drbassman]

OK, let's not get off track and stray into political turf in Al's thread.  It's all about the bass!

[Pilgrim]

Actually, I'm more of a Mariners fan.  And that's a LONELY place to be this year, currently 27 games back in their division.  By far the worst record in MLB.  (Sigh....)

My daughters said I ought to leave the Chief sticker on the bass when I refin'd it because it added some "atmosphere", but nope - he's going on a LONG sabbatic.  The sticker would clash with the bass - unless I was a hard-core relic fan, in which case I'd bolt the thing together, drop in pickups and a jack, and play it.  Fortunately that's not me.

I really haven't come to any decision about color for the body. Whatever I do will be compatible with the headstock, as I definitely don't want to refin it and destroy the original Aria Diamond decal.

[Dave W]

Good move. I'm not a fan of stickers on basses anyway, but if you're refinishing, no need to save someone else's.

[drbassman]

Yeah, I've never been a sticker fan on basses.  Hey, if you could bleach out the top so it isn't as discolored as it looks now, a trans red or orange would be really cool!

[Pilgrim]

Trans red......Orange.....hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Would look nice with the pickguard......could tint clear lacquer and spray......