Dom in Dorset

It's worth checking that the body is actually made from wood (as opposed to ply) before starting to strip it. You should be able to get a look insode the neck pocket when you take the neck off.

I use damson for bagpipe making, I get it from another maker, it came from the Wilkins of Tiptree marmalade company's damson orchard. It's all beautiful straight grained stuff but I'm not sure if there is anything long enough. I'm going for a gnarly look so I'm keepinmg my eyes open for something more rustic. I have a load of logs to process in the next few weeks , something may turn up. I'd love to use blackthorn, like damson gone mad but prove to warping , splitting, rotting , it does look beautiful though.

You may find that it's no easier (and probably not as neat) as removing them completely. Try one , see how you get on.

Staedtler, Berol or sharpie? Come on , it can't be that simple , we need a heated debate.

[quote name='3below' timestamp='1355175495' post='1895137'] Try a simple low damage method. If the lines are plastic inserts, get a black or brown (depending on ebony colour) permanent marker pen ( [url="http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&q=staedtler+permanent+marker&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bpcl=39650382&biw=1092&bih=505&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=6895590855099130917&sa=X&ei=31XGUNSZO4qK0AXL8oDoAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CF8Q8wIwBA"]Staedtler[/url] ). This used carefully will colour the lines for a long time. Re-apply as and when. [/quote] I use black nylon covered strings on my fretless basses, this solution would probably last forever.

Don't worry about too much veneer, leave about 1-2mm stcking out, trim it off with a sharp knife or chissel when the glue has dried.

I did it with a jumior hacksaw (or regular hacksaw, can't remember) Took about ten minutes, looked no worse than a de-fretted neck straight after the de-fret. Note this was a rosewood board. You just put enough veneer to fill the slot, nothing to it. It's also possible to replace the board if you are feeling adventurous...

[quote name='GuyR' timestamp='1355127988' post='1894278'] Whatever you do, don't saw fret slots then fill them. It will be detrimental to the sustain and tone. Best to sand or strip the lines off. [/quote] Sounds like it already has fret slots, as do two of my fretless basses and countless other ones out there. Sustain and tone are fine. One of my basses had been de-fretted and plastic inserts fitted (looked ghastly) I had to saw them out. If you are trying to hide the lines then some sort of filler will do, if you want nice looking lines use veneer.

I've oiled the body and been shopping. I've got bird's eye maple for the neck, black hardware and in an attempt to find some pickups like the ones I used on the previous incarnation I've spent £8(including postage!) on some dodgy chinese pickups , if they are total sh1te I won't have wasted too much.. Not sure what I'll use for the board, I could use some of the maple , I also have boxwood, damson, laburnum. So far I've spent about £70, the only parts I need are pots , knobs, jack, strings and strap buttons.

I've tried filler and veneer , the latter is neater , but as you say it's disposable bass to see how you get on. I dod once try a fretless in a shop , I think it was new and had unfilled slots.

Probably more poppy that you had in mind but ABBA were glam as anything (even if only in shocking dress sense) Waterloo or Does your mother know? I am the tiger etc ABBA basslines are superb too.

Tiger Feet If it was my band we'd do Bowie's Star Man.

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1354482254' post='1886556'] To be honest,I would have been gone long ago if it's been 3 years before your first gig. That would have been enough alone. But not getting on with one member as well? I'd have been gone after 2 or 3 weeks, unless we were regularly out gigging. [/quote] +1

Elm is also worth looking at:

Despite the mass of Jazz basses there I came away thinking that life isn't complete without a precision. Watch this space...

A "majority" of Jazz basses.

Is there a collective noun for Jazz basses?

Yes, thanks again to those who did the hard work of organizing this. You can't have too many jazz basses, or can you? (Hello Fremsley, watch out I think Ivor has put the chip pan on!)

On my way...in half an hour or so...

I've spent a bit of time sanding the body and I think it's starting to look quite sexy. It will be a lot darker once I've oiled the wood. I also realized that I didn't rout out the pickup holes properly, I still need to do the rounded bits for the mounting screws. The weight is now 4 1/2lb (2.2kg) I'm planning on at least re-boarding a neck (might even make the whole thing) possibly use boxwood to make the board.

Routing. So far... The dark satins are from the wood hardener, they won't be visible at the end.

I saw him from about ten feet away at Glastonbury a couple of years back, I had alway seriously rated his playing but seeing it up close was a revelation. He was playing Crafter Centaur bass apparenty about £300. (if memory serves)

I'm now a definite for this.

At the moment it weighs in at 5lb, which is what about Fender Strat body weighs according to a discussion on a Fender Guitars forum. I don't know how much a Fender jazz (or P) body weighs but my Jazz is quite a heavy bass. I'm confidant of losing another 1/2lb by routing and contouring.

Spalted beech usually sells for £40-60 per cubic foot, I reckon that I had about 1/2 cubic foot and the worms were extra!