Bridgehouse

Pick guard trial fit done. Also added some strap buttons since the pics were done. Next stage is bridge and tuners and then we are on to electrics....

[quote name='Shambo' timestamp='1503159030' post='3356135'] [b]RUINED[/b]! lol, only joking. Each to their own. As said, it's really interesting to see your relicing technique. [/quote] Haha! Of course relic'ing is definitely marmite - but tbh the process is a load of fun and I'm doing it more for the build pleasure. The other one I'm doing will be non-relic

Pickguard has arrived. Have done some basic relic'ing with a coffee soak and some general wear and tear. I've gone with white - but it's aged quite a bit now. Still need to add more nicks and dings to it and extend the thumb wear. Pics to follow

[quote name='JohnDaBass' timestamp='1502783594' post='3353426'] What paints did you use? [/quote] Nitro lacquer from The Manchester Guitar Tech - you'll find Steve online - he does the full range of fender colours and they are absolutely tip top paints if you are looking for rattle cans. Great bloke to deal with, and the paint is top drawer ..

Oh, and you might notice the 'thumb rest' wear on the front seems to look like it's going to go under the pick guard - it is, and the guard will have similar wear to line up - I've seen a few basses where the thumb wear has gone right up to the pick guard and chipped it off underneath as a result. I went further to get the wear right.

Next job is to acquire a pick guard, a bridge, and some tuners. I'm thinking Parchment for the pick guard and then add the age to it. Other choice was mint green. Hmm. Not sure.

Had a chance to start the relic process. Some of my own preferred techniques are easier when the lacquer is still a bit soft. Others (like checking) require it to be significantly harder. So for now, it's had the start of the process done to it. At the moment it can look a bit 'raw' and a bit 'not really aged' - but some of that comes later. My process is generally: - Buff where I can, but given its new lacquer, not much - Add dents, dings, gouges, knocks, scrapes, holes and scratches with a variety of household and garage objects - Add specific sanding wear - Razorblade to gouge, pick, scrape and remove lacquer down to the wood - Use progressively finer sandpaper to dull some areas and create an aged satin (and in places matt) finish with plenty of swirl marks, playing marks, rubs, and other such abuse - Rub over a selection of shoe polishes, wood stains, and other odd darkening agents to bring out the age a bit more Here's where we are at: More to follow!

I've tried a CS 64 journeyman against my 64, and it was real damn close - tonally the 64 was a bit more rounded and subtle, and the Braz board felt nicer, but other than that it was a fag paper different...

I find jazz necks too cramped. My fingers are all over the shop unless they have room to breathe

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1502452639' post='3351549'] I see them! And they look GREAT [/quote] Enjoy whilst you can - its relic next

I'd love to be able to get a lacquer check finish like that on some of my relic jobs I say keep it original if you can

It's had the clear gloss coats and is now drying off, and once it's a bit harder it will get the next round of treatment.

Now prior to applying a clear gloss top coat, I wanted to start the relic process good and proper. First thing is to tint the Daphne Blue to age it and give it some "UV fade" (or at least some fade of some description!) Applied a light misting of Light Tint Lacquer, along with some heavier spots to make the fading uneven:

Also, managed to get some Daphne Blue on:

Got some primer on.

Great replies so far everyone. I guess it was curiosity tbh. Maybe I should find a cheapie short scale to see if I like them...?

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1502265728' post='3350257'] Years back, in my first era of bass playing, I had a Fender Musicmaster. It was quite old back then (early 80's) At the time, I sold it to get a 34" scale bass. Now wish I'd kept it. At the time, I felt it lacked a bit of bottom end Though that was probably due to string choice, set-up and my inexperience with amps / EQ'ing I've got a SS Jazz that I don't use much - its just nice to have it there lol It certainly lacks nothing a 34" has. Yes, it's lightweight and I don't have to stretch my left hand as much But short scale feels a bit odd to me - I can over-stretch or over-shoot notes if I'm not concentrating I've got a 32" Medium scale P bass, and I find that's an effortless switch from long scale EDIT: Some of my "problems" re scale length may be due to the fact I also play DB [/quote] Part of my original thought re a short scale was seeing an old music master bass and wondering if it would be a fun addition.. My understanding of the lack of bottom end on the original ones was because they used a guitar pickup - you can swap them out and get a lot more low end thump apparently..

Bit more neck relic'ing. Now the lacquer has dried some more, I've started to relic the exposed wood. I use a 6B pencil - rub it on the exposed wood and then rub off with a finger. It gives the wood a more subtle grey-slivery aged look rather than a bright "I've just knocked my bass" look!!

Of course, I could really shake things up by saying that Helix sounds pretty damn good through the back of a Markbass LMIII into a Barefaced Compact Gen 2 as well.. It's not quite as rounded and articulate as the VK and EICH, but it's more than good enough. Really rather more than good enough in fact.

[quote name='SisterAbdullahX' timestamp='1502141305' post='3349615'] I'm surprised you're even considering another cab with the VK/Eich setup! [/quote] Yeah. I'm not now. It's saved me a huge chunk of change by just plugging Helix into the back and giving it a whirl with no cabs on my patches!

I don't have a short scale bass - mine are all 34's. I feel I may be missing out. Am I?

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1502103900' post='3349287'] interested to see how you do the checking and body relic. What did you do the the tuners, or did they come like that ? [/quote] Not got the tuners yet - but it will be documented I usually go for a scuffing/denting then vinegar vapour suspension.. Checking will be freezer then sunlight - but it's got to harden off first!!

You know what, having played with Helix more and more, in getting the best out of it by going straight out of 1/4" mono into the back of my EICH 1000 power amp in and then into the VK 2x10 cab. I've set up each bass patch as dual path, so 1/4" has no cab model, but preamp only, and the XLR path set up with a cab so I can DI out of the Helix for FOH and the amp/cab are an onstage monitor

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1501958705' post='3348514'] That's looking well aged. You can imagine that it has absorbed the nicotine out of lots of basement gigs. [/quote] Just the look I was going for - very aged, played often in smoky clubs, but looked after and not abused!

Interestingly, the neck has definitely gone a bit more amber over night... looking nice tho.