Dudgeman

[quote name='yepmop' timestamp='1343253108' post='1747992'] Fantastic job on those tuners, oh to have the right woodworking equipment. [/quote] Yeah without doubt having some equipment helps. If I were going to fit those tuners again I would make a more accurate jig for a router..I was a bit worried about how they would work out..but I love this style of tuner and the little 'f' s just make it all a bit more special. Worth the work I reckon. Managed to get it in clear coat today so hoping the decals turn up soon so I can get it finished.

So on to the stage I wasn't looking forward to....fitting the new tuners. The standard tuners have a larger collar diameter which meant the new ones slopped around in the holes. Not ideal. So I decided to turn some Maple plugs, making sure that the point on the Live centre on the lathe made a good indent, as this would be used to centre the forstner bit for drilling them out to the right size. [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/20120724_170451.jpg[/IMG] Live centre is the metal piece on the right of the wood, in case you are not familiar with lathes. As you can see I made them way too long and then trimmed each one on the bandsaw and glued them in the headstock. [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/20120724_170719.jpg[/IMG] This is the back of the headstock with plugs in. [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/20120724_170729.jpg[/IMG] I then chiselled back the excess and sanded the plugs down flat [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/20120724_173016.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/20120724_173024.jpg[/IMG] I then took them to the drill press and using the indent from the live centre on the lathe drilled out the plugs to the correct diameter for the new collars. Biggest problem here was the collars seemed to measure 16.5mm on the callipers and I only had a 16mm forstner bit so I had to ease each one slightly by hand with some sandpaper wrapped around a length of dowel. It didn't take too long and the fit is snug but not tight. [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/20120724_174629.jpg[/IMG] The next process was accurate marking out of the twin holes to allow the lugs on the back of the tuners to sit square and flat. I spent a bit of time doing the mark out and using a 5mm brad-point bit carefully drilled the holes. It turns out that I would have had to be cnc accurate as 5mm is exactly the same size hole as the pegs and the slightest deviation from the line would have the tuners sat out of square. As is the way 3 out of 4 were spot on and the other one was so slightly out but it meant that when wound up tight it would not sit straight....only by a tiny amount but enough to irritate me. So I took an executive decision and decided to open the holes out to 6mm to give me a tiny bit of play...this worked superbly and a huge sigh of relief was released! So here they are fitted on a dry run. Now I need to get the neck in laquor and get the decals back on and it will be job done. [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/20120724_193147.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/20120724_193228.jpg[/IMG]

So The machine heads turned up. Looking lovely. Immediate problems are the standard Am Bass Machine heads are screwless and of course mine arent, so there is the problem of what to do with the screwholes. I knew this was going to raise its head so I spent some time on the mac this morning trying to come up with some good masking ideas. In the end I decided to go with veneering the whole of the back of the headstock, this was suggested on a PM to me. I am not a huge fan of this as masking the joint between the headstock and the main neck is always a problem for me. In this instance it didn't turn out too badly and is not that noticeable. Not a route I would take on a more expensive bass but serves this build well. See photos. The next thing I am going to have to do is to sleeve out the holes on the headstock as the new Machine heads need a smaller diameter hole. I am hoping that the saving in weight and therefore better balance will be worth the work. [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/20120723_165233.jpg[/IMG] you can see the join between veneer and main bit of the neck here...Irritating! [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/20120723_165223.jpg[/IMG]

[quote name='Stacker' timestamp='1342728437' post='1740196'] I have to admire your skill, here. I would have left that Badass out, but that's just me. The finish is stunning and you shoulda matched it on the headstock! Kudos! [/quote] Cheers.Its not actually a badass. This was bought off eBay for £15 on a complete punt...it is string through or from the back..made in the Wilkinson factory, alledgedly, and the quality is as good as any £90 bridge I have seen. Thinking about buying a few before he runs out. Your not the only one to say I should have matched the head stock...however I have never liked that look on Fender basses..just me . I think it will look better once I get the decals. Appreciate all your comments..glad there are a few other tangerine lovers out there!

I first started on a precision when I was about 13...I butchered it..changed the body..changed the pu' for Emg and eventually was left with the neck.It ebded up lije Triggers broom! Then went totally away from Fender for about 12 years..I have a Ric and a couple of 5 strings...when I started the Muse tribute I looked into Chris main basses...when ever you see him in the studio he always seems to have a jazz on his lap....then I saw his candy and I have been desperate for one ever since. Colour aside I can't believe I spent so long dismissing jazz basses...I absolutely love this bass.. sounds and plays brilliant. Now want to get a 5 string jazz deluxe and ship out my Ibanez. Incidentally the p bass neck is about to get re-attached to a body I have made..so there will be another diary build on that one.

[quote name='yepmop' timestamp='1342680255' post='1739026'] Really Nice, well done! Does the candy orange almost boarder on looking copper coloured? [/quote] Yes it can do for sure. It really is wierd paint and I think that is why I like it so much. I took these this morning and I think they show the range of colour that can appear...from light yellowy orange to almost a red.... [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/Jazzincasestrung2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/Jazzinsun.jpg[/IMG]

No problem...have you checked out my build diary? Candy tangerine Jazz?

[quote name='Horizontalste' timestamp='1342645930' post='1738754'] I love this. Matt nickel hardware would top it off nicely. [/quote] Oh Yum...hadn't thought of that. Too late for this one though. Maybe if I get a proper US version I might just do that. Well the latest update is this. We were supposed to be rehearsing tomorrow ( Thursday) so I tore round the workshop after work to put it back together. So the old Machine heads are are back on...new ones are on their way. The most important thing for me was to get the body back together and make sure the wiring is all ok. Had a couple of teething problems but plugged it in at home and all is well. No errant hums etc ... The reason I went for this colour is the amazing shades it can go through depending on the light. When I opened the case at home to show the wife it was nearly as dark as the Candy apple red one that Fender do..But it doesn't seem to matter how many photos I take they really don't show this colour up properly...it is amazing and I am absolutely smitten! I am glad you guys like it as well. So some more photos of it back together..no headstock decals yet either....that will be the icing on the cake. Once it is properly finished I will take a few proper hi res quality photos with my camera to really try and show off the paintwork properly.

Finally for tonight short vid about the neck. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpgTC1rIi3E

Vid of me polishing the shine into it....I loved doing this..made all the hours of prep work worth while [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r745eJdYlPg[/media]

Well this evening I flatted back the paintwork right down to 2000 grit and polished it up. Below are some photos and a link to a vid of the polishing. I have included a link to a description of the neck and what I am going to do with it. Thanks for your kind words...I am actually really enjoying the process. My every day job is as a cabinet maker and joiner but this is the 4th guitar/bass and each time I do an alteration or rebuild it totally re ignites my enthusiasm for woodwork and being in the shop.

Lovely bass.

Last photo for tonight [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/20120716_191601.jpg[/IMG]

Good shot of the scratchplate lying on the body...It is surprising how much I had to add to the bottom edge of the plate so that it runs parallel with the body..the original is really not the right shape...I will try and do a short video to show the difference. I think mine follows the lines much better. In case you are interested it is 4 mm resin board that is used for making blackboard for chalk pens...It is nice and matt and wont rub away.

Black scratch plate laid on to rubbed down and flatted paintwork. When I left this evening I had put the last top coat of laquor on the body..had a bit of a disaster with the spray gun..it decided to leak for some unknown reason and shot a lump of laquor onto the body...fortunately it is under the scratch plate and I think I will be able to sand and polish out. There is enough top coat on here to last a lifetime! [IMG]http://i918.photobucket.com/albums/ad26/bassmandudge/Candy%20Tangerine%20Jazz%20bass/20120716_191632.jpg[/IMG]

Just a quick update. Back in the shop today..managed to sneak 20 mins to flat down the laquor. Shame the orange peel was there as the laquor was so smooth I didn't want to stop stroking it! The body and paint work is now well protected by the laquor and has been rubbed down with 1200 grit and should get the final top coats on tonight. Have sanded the black scratch plate edges and just need to route out the PU section.That will also get finished tonight. Then attention will turn to finishing the neck. Can't make up my mind on replacement tuners. Whether to go like for like or do something clever with the old screw holes and get some of the lightweight tuners...hmmm decisions decisions and the clock is ticking....

I think the proper Candys are lovely... photos dont really do them justice. One thing that this has highlighted is that the base of the project needs to be super flat for best results. I, stupidly only took the base layer down to 600 grit scotch Brite and though I didn't notice it on the silver base coat the candy showed up all the tiny imperfections and scratch lines. I should have sanded to 1200 min. But as I said this is a learning curve for me and that is why I was happy to use my mim as a donor. I will almost definitely do another body in this colour.....be interesting to see how it turns out. Glad you guys like it so far...

Very short video showing body just after 1st coats of laquor...left it to dry then I will wet sand away orange peel..shoot again and buff and polish...Starting to look great. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNafjQaD5aE[/media]

Quickly roughed out replacement scratchplate

Who knew there was this much spaghetti under the bonnet!

[quote name='kevin_lindsay' timestamp='1342193365' post='1731359'] Great! I love seeing step by step threads like this. Keep us updated as to the progress mate [/quote] Will do. Should happen pretty quickly as this is my gigging bass and we are back out from 12th Aug and we are in rehearsals before that..no pressure then!!

One more for you. Candy sprayed now waiting for top coats. Will show the neck work soon.

Orion silver bass coat sprayed. There was a point when spraying where the silver was just lying on the matt black almost like a candy with mettalic in it and it looked amazing...might do this to my black strat one day.

Body stripped and rubbed to matt black...looks great like this!

Original bass