carlsim

I bought a set for my fretless 5 and they were Ok… until the low b snapped as I was tuning them up when I first put them on! Couldn’t believe it! Contacted Thomann and they gave me a refund as they didn’t have any more in stock. Bought some roto flats instead which are lovely… oh well! just my experience for what it’s worth.

It sure did! I was really surprised as to the quality of the wood considering it was a painted finish originally. Onwards to the next project! Chambering!

Thanks! A lot of hard work but it definitely paid off! Took it out for a gig last week and it's defo a keeper!

Ha! That's a very good point... unfortunately not but that is food for thought I must admit...

One last update, after much deliberation I remade the control cavity cover in American Black walnut which matches the pick up covers. Luckily i found some at the correct thickness so have recut a new one and I must admit, it looks much better. To me the ash one was trying too hard to look the same and yet, looked too different. A contrast looks much better! It's oiled but not to bring out a sheen so again, will match the pup covers. Anyway, first outing with the revamped Xotic tonight - looking forward to it!

Thanks @jrixn1… I recently used an 2nd gen Apple Pencil with an iPad Air and it is a great interface… so is the experience of your iPad Pro with that pencil a positive one?? I also tried an older surface pro and that was terrible…

Hi all… I have been an UnRealBook user on my ipad for many years. A lot of the gigs I do are reading gigs and I use pdf format real books for a lot of jazz gigs that I do. always been happy with UnRealBook, never had any problems and I like the way it works. I have also recently started using iRealPro as well. Anyway… my iPad battery is on its way out and it’s time for a new one. I have been looking at the new 5th gen iPad Air, as I also want something that I can use a stylus with to mark electronic work (im a teacher in the day time…) i was flummoxed today when I saw that apple had upped their price today by £100 for an iPad Air, add on £130 for an Apple Pencil it becomes ridiculous how much it will be once you add on a case. Getting close to 1k. so I start thinking about Android and found a good deal on a Samsung S7… comes with the stylus and Samsung are doing free keyboard cases at the moment. The problem is - UnRealBook isn’t available on Android. Nor is ForScore which is a viable alternative. iRealPro is on android, but I have to buy it again as you buy it from the app stores, not the developer. Really!!?? anyway… does anyone use Mobile Sheets on Android? Any other viable options on Android? I have an iPhone but not entirely sucked into the apple platform… plus I like that the S7 is a bit bigger than the iPad Air screen wise. Never a bad thing. just wanted to know if anyone was an android / pdf music score kinda person and what their thoughts were… anyone??

Thank you - I will say the pick up covers are the stock Xotic ones - one of the reasons a like the bass! I am now rethinking the back control cover to match the pup covers, will be a better contrast and look cooler I think!

Good point - will get on that!

So... last post from me with updates - it's finished! Re-assembled today and it's a banger! I'm never confident when it comes to electrics but all re-soldered and working and playing lovely. Thanks again to all who commented and especially to @Andyjr1515 with all his advice and countless replies to my messages. It's been an interesting experience and not something I want to repeat any time soon! However, anyone reading this, don't be put off by something of this ilk. I was worried given the fact it wasn't a budget bass that I could pink torpedo it up but a careful and softly softly approach with the wood paid dividends! I think it looks great and I am sure that this one will be sticking around for a while! Anyway.... a few more final pics: Control cavity fully shielded Battery box and control cover added - I hated the stock black plastic battery cover Xotic out in so I added the Gotah double battery box - much better! I am really pleased with the control cover as well - I may have mentioned that! Pups are in, bridge in place and all electronics soldered in and finalised. I added some extra earthing just to be sure! Scratchplate and knobs added: And a few of the final assembly! That's it for this one. I wonder what's next? A 'from scratch' build maybe? Possibly... I am intrigued...

I must admit, I am adding some wax to the tru-oil finish and it really does give it a final sheen and evenness to the finish. I couldn't get the Birchwood Casey one but I got a CCL fine wax and it goes on lovely... it's a gun stock wax and really finishes it off!

A quick mock up today of how it is going to look… really please so far. Assembly and final touches tomorrow!

So, no need for wire wool. Gave it a buff this morning after a weekend of it hanging up and it looks great. I'm really chuffed with the end result. I am going to apply some wax to the final finish for a final buff and some extra shine so it will be ready for a reassemble on Friday when I have some spare time. New strings are ready. Will post some final pics of the bass back together. Thanks to everyone who commented and followed and especially to @Andyjr1515 who furnished with me with some excellent advice, recommendations and guidance. Without Basschat - who knows where I would be with this! What a great resource. Carl.

So… 800 w&d today this morning with a further light coating of tru-oil and getting close to completion. A few minor dust bunnies, swirls and minor irritations so on Monday I plan to wire wool down with 0000 wire wool and then apply a couple more light coats for a final finish. I will then decide as to whether to apply the poly finish or not. As it stands, im leaning more towards not to bother, and possibly look at a finishing wax or something for a bit of extra protection, will decide once it’s finished and the tru oil has had at least a week to cure. I’m really chuffed as to how it has come out so far… thanks again to @Andyjr1515 for all his good advice! the home straight beckons!!

It’s funny… I just added an extra coat of tru oil, not wet and dry, just rubbed on and the difference that has made to the shine coming out. I’m going to do another 800 wet and dry tomorrow, leave that over the weekend with possibly another rubbed on coat… I’m now thinking that might be it and forget the poly! I’m really liking how it looks and the shine coming through now looks lovely. It may well be that in time, if I feel that the tru oil isn’t strong enough, I can always strip down again, sand any marks away and then apply the poly. The more I do with tru oil, the more I like!

Nice one - will certainly do that. And who doesn't love some 'air bass'!?

Exactly where I am heading @Andyjr1515 - one more wet and dry application with 800 grit, plenty of buffing and I aim to leave it a week before I start the hard glaze. Although, the more I see it in a satin sheeny finish, the more I like it! 🤣 the mind truly boggles with the options...

You can see a bit more of the satin sheen coming through here… IMG_1587.MOV

So switched over to 400 grit W&D today with the tru oil and there is a distinct change in smoothness and lustre. Still not shiny and from the pictures, it’s doesn’t look much different but it is definitely less patchy and feel much smoother to the touch. Going in the right direction that’s for sure… using tru oil is definitely a fool proof way of getting a nice finish. I look at it now and really like the way it looks, the poly will just add a bit of extra gloss and protection! All hail the Tru Oil!

I tried it on some scrap as you mentioned and it was bloody awful!! More yellow than anything else so I won't be going that route! To be honest, it does contrast a little but I can live with that and sure looks 10 times better than the black plastic one some ham-fisted sod put a hole in so they could access the gain pot on the pre-amp!