Dudgeman

Vinegar and a swab/cotton bud will neutralise the damage caused by battery acid..(That horrible blue residue) I use 5 percent white vinegar...It won't damage the contacts... Well it didn't on my Sennheiser In ear receivers..(Stupidly left the batteries in them for 3 months post gig...idiot...idiot..idiot..). You can polish the contacts carefully after if you wish, but removing the residue allowed the contacts to work again. be careful on circuit boards and don't panic if it fizzes on the contacts..that's the chemical reaction..it also cleaned up the residue from the plastics a treat... I think there are youtube vids available for doing this...

[quote name='prowla' timestamp='1502991988' post='3354946'] +2 - every time I see a de-fretted bass for sale, I think "That'll cost extra to put the frets back on!". [/quote] hahaha Just did the very same to a Warwick Streamer...Put em back on! It was de fretted by a LGS luthier (Apparently... although in this case this would be a very lose term!) Wenge is so brittle the guy had butchered the neck so badly I actually had to plane it back before re fretting. Also be careful what you use to fill the fret slots..I always use veneer rather than filler....If you are going to hi gloss lacquer the neck you can get away with certain 2 part fillers but I wouldn't advise it...certainly don't use Polyfiller as the "Luthier" had done...the only saving grace was the filler was so easy to get out... If it is a maple neck there is more chance of it splintering when removing frets than a rosewood board...I echo the ground down nail pincers and soldering iron route, although potentially the easiest route is a neck swap for sure but don't be put off...Youtube and Basschat are your friends...it is not difficult it just requires a bit of patience... I don't let other Luthiers near my basses preferring to do them myself...but then I am a bit of a perfectionist as I have been a cabinet maker for years and have done a lot of guitar mods over the years ... Good luck and enjoy the process...I find it quite therapeutic!

Hi DB Appreciate the comments. So yes I am looking at the photos I took before dismantling and your right the original pots are stamped 25k..and yes...you clearly know your stuff as that is exactly how they were soldered together. green and white together and red black and shield together. So the plan was...lol..and hopefully still is to fit my EMG BTS system..this gives me bass boost/cut and treble boost/cut and dip switch on the separate circuit board (Mine is the older system. ) It looks like these run 25k pots as well but when I had this system attached to a PJ set up i never suffered with low output...maybe I will have to look at the MEC's...are they the same PU's on Rock bass and German Warwicks, and do you know if the alternative Bartolinis give better output? I will try and research...digging myself a hole here I feel.. Thanks Carl

[quote name='sprocketflup' timestamp='1501056786' post='3342036'] Boooo none of the pics work for me [/quote] Damn thought I had sorted that..will try and sort it tomorrow

[quote name='donslow' timestamp='1500614792' post='3339054'] That finish and the general restoration looks ink-redible! [/quote] Very gooood...😊

[quote name='scrumpymike' timestamp='1500234375' post='3336399'] Well done Dudgeman [/quote] Thanks

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1499766778' post='3333395'] They have 2 rows of contacts, so they're double-pole. If you find a nice supplier of cool, small ones, other than Warwick. Please do let me know, I need one too in Gold. [/quote] Thanks will do... TBH I was going to order a couple of bits from Warwick..but if I find a cheaper alternative I will let you know.

Just a quick one The 3 way switches on the Warwick $$ or double buck...does anyone know if they are single or double pole switches Thanks

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1499669273' post='3332774'] If you want to enhance the grain with black on a future build, have a look for black thixotropic grain filler. It's awful to work with, gets absolutely everywhere, but really brings the grain out - especially on ash. Also do two or three applications and sand back each time - it will save you a fortune in lacquer (ask me how I know! ) [/quote] So how do you know...hahahaha...I think I have used something similar in a work setting years ago ..using Black 2 part filler on American oak to pull the grain out. And yes that was a messy old process as well...looked good though.... Appreciate the idea..Will store it for future builds...

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1499556073' post='3332215'] Thanks for the info Dudgeman - would never have thought of using ink as a stain. [/quote] Me neither..my original idea was to see if I could use a black stain to enhance the grain...sand it back and put a different colour over it...I was tempted by a blue finish...but so glad this happened using ink... One of the thing that is really cool with this bass is at some point in its life someone has been using it left handed. There are 2 screw holes that I have filled and stained where the scratch plate was and there is also a hole on the small horn where he had attached the strap button...would love to know who had used it in it's life..hell the thing is nearly as old as me and I have been used by flippin loads of people!!

[quote name='Bassmonkey' timestamp='1499607596' post='3332451'] [attachment=248697:IMG_5694.jpg]This is my Antoria LP. Looks very similar, I kept the colour, had the gold fittings recoated, added new pickups and bridge etc - I love it. [/quote] Oh bud that is so cool...I had never even heard of Antoria before buying this bass...After getting all excited about maybe being able to sort the intonation I took a look at the round saddles from an old Warwick single piece bridge I have knocking around ..thinking I might try using individual saddles...they will take some fettling..will put a flat bottom on them so they sit nicely on the plate and they need to be made slightly narrower but they may well work....

Stunning stuff

[quote name='Bassassin' timestamp='1499429731' post='3331516'] The saddle's a simple metal bar - it should be possible to improvise something. I don't think anything current uses the old 2-point system so your choice for a new replacement is limited to a rather expensive Hipshot: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hipshot-Supertone-4-string-Bass-Bridge-Gibson-2-point-Chrome-5G410C-/111705155990"]http://www.ebay.co.u...C-/111705155990[/url] And that's assuming the post spacing is the same. Considering it's an arch-top, your other alternatives would be a 3-point or some sort of tune-o-matic & stop bar/tailpiece arrangement. Moving swiftly on, wouldn't mind a bit of insight into exactly how you went about getting that finish - I have an old Ibanez Blazer half-stripped which would look amazing done like that. [/quote] So the finish was relatively simple. Rubbed the body down to natural wood. I just used black Quink ink.. (or maybe Parker..cant quite remember)..when it goes on it covered pretty well..i let it dry and then very lightly sanded back with 1200 grit dry paper. It took quite a few coats. I wish I had taken some photos of that process..as before it was sanded each time it didn't look good...it was a kind of shiny black brown colour. Once sanded back and all the shinyness was gone the grain shone through. It was a very thin covering in the end and was easily damaged...it then got sprayed with 2k poly lacquer.. rubbed back..but only to 1200..i usely go finer and polished out. I didn't over polish it so it doesn't have a completely glass like finish...just a really good shine. As it was ink I had to sand it out in places as any glue residue shows through and obviously the ink doesnt soak in. The ink dust is really dirty when you sand it back though..so watch your clothes...carpets...laundry...etc...

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1499382160' post='3331270'] Is your bridge missing a bit? It looks like there should be some sort of raised saddle in between the studs. That would certainly explain the duff intonation if so! [/quote] Your spot on..as I said elsewhere..cant believe I missed it..doh!

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1499382132' post='3331269'] Yup. I really don't like the look of Les Paul (style) basses - they just don't do it for me, but that is one good looking chunk of wood. Well done Dudgeman. [/quote] Thanks..really happy with it...

[quote name='rushbo' timestamp='1499381607' post='3331267'] That is flippin' gorgeous. [/quote] Thanks

Hi..thanks for the info..i had completely missed the saddle section on the only reference photo I could find... any idea where I might get one...?? I knew the logo would split opinion..I went back and forth with it before settling on it...I tried to do a lot of research on it while I was working on it..I did know that the lawsuit didn't take place but the only info I found about Antoria said that it was a UK brand..and that they ordered unbranded basses directly through the Ibanez ..but It looks like your info is more solid than the net.. Really excited at the possibility of sorting the saddle...camt believe I missed it on my reference photo.. I know I sorted it so I am biased but it really did turn out way better than I could have hoped...

So there you go...I hope you like it..took a fair bit of work but I love to do stuff like this....The beauty is there is nothing on here that most people can't attempt with a bit of patience and a modicum of skill....I hope this inspires you to look at your cheap knock off or Squier bass and get stuck in.... Oh and please don't hate on me for adding the Gibson logo...it really is a tongue in cheek ironic take at what Ibanez would probably have dearly loved to have done in the first place.. ;-)

[url="http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170307_220847.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170307_220847.jpg.html"][URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170307_220839.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20170307_220839.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/url]

Some finished pics...sorry one or two are slightly out of focus [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170307_220706.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20170307_220706.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170307_220656.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20170307_220656.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170307_220647.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20170307_220647.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170206_185856.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20170206_185856.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170206_185849.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20170206_185849.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Rebuild [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170206_185844.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20170206_185844.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170123_191551.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20170123_191551.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Polishing being done [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170119_192101.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20170119_192101.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170119_191636.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20170119_191636.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170119_185933.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20170119_185933.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Gibson logo added...and lacquered [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20170130_190320.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20170130_190320.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Body stained with Quink ink and poly lacquered.... kept the polish to gloss side of satin.. [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20161220_172833.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20161220_172833.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20161220_172830.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20161220_172830.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20161220_172826.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20161220_172826.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Horrid fret work [URL=http://s918.photobucket.com/user/bassmandudge/media/les%20paul/20160801_191838.jpg.html][IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/les%20paul/20160801_191838.jpg[/IMG][/URL]