Jabba_the_gut

[sub]Another vote for the US Musicman SUB basses. If you like the feel of a jazz neck and the stingray tone, the US Musicman SUB Sterling (not to be confused with the Sterling by Musicman SUB....why did they pick the same words but put them in a different order????) is just the job but you don't seem to see many about. They have 3 band eq rather than the standard 2 band but doesn't have the selector switch you get on 'proper' Musicman Sterlings. [/sub]

[sub]The bass piccie thing next to my details is my SUB 4 bass and I think it looks pretty nice with the changed scratchplate. SUBs seem to go for between £300 and £400 dependent on condition from what I've seen and paid for them.[/sub]

The body of this bass is made from a slab of elm - it was an old desk top or something but had been thicknessed both sides so there shouldn't have been any finish left on it. It was a very dry piece of wood - found a single live woodworm in it so had to treat it for that!! I'm wondering if it was that is the problem though the treatment (suitable for use on furniture) should be able to take a new finish.

The woodworm is another hassle!! I've had to treat the few bits of wood I have around just on the off chance anything escaped from the piece of elm. There were literally just a couple of flight holes (can't tell if they are recent or not) and I haven't seen any traces but I'm not risking it so everything is getting treated.

Cheers for all the advice. The tung oil I have been using hasn't hardened (if that's the correct term) - if I handle the body, I end up with oily hands. This is about 10 days after applying it and wiping it off etc. Hopefully it will soak in or the excess rub off. The sample I tried was fine but the actual body, looks pretty good but is just oily to the touch.

What I'm finding is building basses is fine in terms of wood work, but getting that quality finish is proving a bit more tricky!!

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' timestamp='1369510131' post='2090026']
What a beautiful piece of ash!!
[/quote]
That really is a great looking bass. I'm in the finishing stages of making a bass with an ash body - it really is such nice wood. I might have to have a look at some Danish oil and try on on a few offcuts.

Cheers

Jez

Cheers for the details. I'm trying Tung oil at the moment. I've given it a couple of coats so far - soaks in a fair bit but coverage is pretty even. Going to give it a polish with beeswax when I'm done.

I'll put photos up no matter how it goes!!

Cheers again

Jez

Cheers Rubis. The elm is quite dry and absorbent so I reckon that might go the same way - I'll let you know!!

I've had a look on this forum about finishes and Tru-Oil gets mentioned a fair bit.

I'm looking at finishing a couple of basses (one elm and one wenge/sycamore) with a natural finish but have a couple of questions I'd appreciate some advice on:

1. Do I need to seal the wood prior to applying oil?
2. What other oils work well other than Tru-Oil (thinking tung oil, teak oil etc.)?
3. What about just using wax?

Cheers

[quote name='nugget' timestamp='1365367781' post='2038721']
Where's the build thread? Sounds interesting!
[/quote]
Hi Dave. Must admit, I liked the look of the block inlays you did so I though I'd have a go!! I haven't put bindings on the neck though - maybe next time!! I've added a line to the build thread - it had been quiet for a while. Cheers J.

Done a little work on the elm bass. Decided to have a go at a maple neck with wenge block inlays and though it looked nice with the elm. It's all just rough sawn at the moment

Does seem like some people love them and others don't. I've got an ABM500 head at the present but have also has an ABM300 1x15 combo which I traded on here. Wish I hadn't - was a great amp and in great condition. Didn't realise how good it was until I changed it for a head and cab set-up. The ABM500 is great too but the 1x15 cabs are only rated at 300w and the head just exceeds this at 8 ohms so you need to be careful!!

That's an ABM head not a MAG. The ABM has a valve in the pre-amp that is blended by the knob that is missing from the head in the photo.

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' timestamp='1365326780' post='2037966']
I like to use birchwood casey tru oil (gun stock oil) it is very easy to apply and brings out the best in the wood.

It is also easy to repair should you need to do so in the future


[/quote]
Cheers for that. I've got some Tru-oil I'd used on a darker colour bass - just wasn't sure if it was okay for a maple fretboard. I'll get a couple of offcuts and give it a try. J.

Just wondered if anyone could give me a bit of advice as how to finish a maple fretboard. I’ve nearly finished building a maple neck, with a maple fretboard and wenge block inlays. I’m kind of thinking about using oils to finish it, which I have used on darker necks before but wondered how this would work for a maple fretboard.
Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated!
Cheers
J.

Hi. Are these 4 in a row or 2 left and 2 right?. Cheers

Or try one of these p-basses....26" scale!!

That's a somewhat modified 20 years ago Hohner cricket bat next to it. Looks awful and is a bit knocked about but the neck is really nice.

[attachment=130598:DSC03985.JPG]

Brilliant!!

[quote name='Mickeyboro' timestamp='1362513167' post='2000643']
I'd love to see this! Pm sent.
[/quote]

Someone else got ther first I'm afraid but I'll pass your name onto them so they can pass the DVD on when done.

Cheers

Got a copy of John Entwhistle 'An Ox's Tale' on DVD if anyone would like it.

Can I put in on here in the same way we do with books i.e. have a look at it then pass it on?

bump

[quote name='MoonBassAlpha' timestamp='1360959120' post='1979192']
is elm stable enough for a bass body? I've a friend who has elm floorboards and they are renowned for moving quite a lot...
[/quote]

I'm not sure to be honest - I have seen a couple of posts on the web that suggests the same but there some posts that reckong it is okay. I'm just going to give it a go and see. I got the wood off the 'Recycling' section on here so if it doesn't work at least it won't be an expensive loss!

There's s few holes where some little wormy things have been - got to sort that first!! Couldn't see the holes until the wood was cut. I think this wood was an old table top or desk. It is really dry and (hopefully) won't move much once it is sealed. If it does move, I'll make another body and re-use the neck.

That does look nice!!

Got a speaker from Pete from the Recycling section. Recently nice bloke and interesting to chat to.

Thanks again - much appreciated!

[quote name='scojack' timestamp='1360843533' post='1977200']
Very nice, elm and sycamore are 2 of my favouritist woods.
Looking forward to seeing them underway (and #2 finished).
you have caught the bug !
Ian
[/quote]

Yep - think I have the bug. Just need more time and practice!!

Might be worth a look for anyone looking for a bit of a project bass

[url="http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/electro-acoustic-bass-guitar/1009513797#gallery-item-full-2"]http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/electro-acoustic-bass-guitar/1009513797#gallery-item-full-2[/url]

Still not managed to get into the garage to finish off Scratch Built Bass #2 so started this one instead. Got a few bits of wood to make a couple more basses - cut one body from a piece of elm I got off Basschat. Making it the same shape as bass #2 (in the foreground) but will be 4 string with jazz pickups

[attachment=127595:DSC03980.JPG]