cycrowave Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 (edited) After much deliberation, i'v decided to go ahead with my first build. I had all but abandoned the project but after looking at some of the awesome threads on here i found my mojo again and decided to crack on. As this is my first attempt im keeping things simple and building a retro style P, I dont currently own a p-bass and want a reliable passive instrument for touring with. I really loved ou7shined's encore coaster mod, something about those pickguards really gets me going! I also really like the look of the Squier VINTAGE MODIFIED TELE BASS, but they dont make them left handed so I'm gonna have to make my own. Im going to be enlisting the help of a good friend for lots of the technical stuff, and concentrating myself on doing the finish and selecting some awesome parts. I began assembling bits a while back, the first thing i bought was this 'harrier thunder' bass from ebay for £40. Not a bad price, supposedly a 1 piece alder body. [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881211057/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881211057/"]IMAG0310[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881777756/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881777756/"]IMAG0311[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr I then ordered a mightymite neck from the US, finding a lefty version wasnt easy trust me! [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881778918/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881778918/"]IMAG0313[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr I removed all the hardware this afternoon, and something suddenly dawned on me..... The harrier neck is about 1cm longer than the mightymite. Does this just mean I'll need to adjust the bridge postion? Below you can see the mightymite neck on the body, luckily its a very good fit. [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881779292/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881779292/"]IMAG0314[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr Then i began stripping the paint. I had planned on using a checmical stripper, but when removing the neck a huge flake of paint came off so I decided to try a bit of creative scraping. I work as a specialist decorator, so out came my favorite tool the trusty spoon. I also used a razor blade. What i did was open the edge up with the razor blade and then push the spoon under the paint. It came off in massive chunks! The paint hadnt bonded with the wood at all, about 2 hours later and I had a stripped body. [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881217607/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881217607/"]IMAG0315[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881218237/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881218237/"]IMAG0316[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881218509/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881218509/"]IMAG0317[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881218925/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881218925/"]IMAG0318[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881219297/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5881219297/"]IMAG0319[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr So thats where I am now, I'v put some stripper in the cavity and am about to go and remove it. Tonight I'll be ordering some hardware, and tomorrow I'll probally give it a sand and see If i can pick up some sealer. Any brand recomendations from high street shops? Also what grade of paper should i use at this stage? Looks like a 3 piece body, I'll be sending mr harrier an email no doubt. Any way of properly identifying the wood type? My suspicions are raised. Also any advice on sorting the scale length out greatly appreciated! cheers Edited July 6, 2011 by cycrowave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Hi, i am starting a really similar project to you! Not a lefty but it will be a Squire P with Fender US neck and PuPs. Not decided on bridge and other accessories. I notice you live pretty close to me - i am in bournemouth. I would love to come and see your project at some point. I am a total noob who is completely out of his depth but have been inspired by some of the threads on this (Count Basie really got me hooked). I can't help you with the neck length question though. Good luck - i'll be keeping an eye on this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatgrantboy Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 (edited) I'm not sure how far off it'll be (and how much allowance you have) but with the length difference, you may be able to get away with it on the amount your bridge saddles will travel. I found the easiest way to check (after many close calls similar to this on several of my own projects) is put the new neck in the pocket, tight as you can (as if its bolted on) then, with the bridge screwed onto the body (a screw at either end is fine) whip your measuring tape out. Pull the tape out to 34" (the scale length) and put the 34" mark at the nut, then see where the end of the tape lands at over your bridge. You obviously need the saddles of your bridge to be touching the end of the tape, for your entire bass to be intonated properly (of course apart from minor tweaks). But if the saddles reach the tape, you know you've got the minimum allowance there. Hope this helps Edited June 28, 2011 by thatgrantboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycrowave Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 [quote name='BottomE' post='1285578' date='Jun 28 2011, 07:32 PM']Hi, i am starting a really similar project to you! Not a lefty but it will be a Squire P with Fender US neck and PuPs. Not decided on bridge and other accessories. I notice you live pretty close to me - i am in bournemouth. I would love to come and see your project at some point. I am a total noob who is completely out of his depth but have been inspired by some of the threads on this (Count Basie really got me hooked). I can't help you with the neck length question though. Good luck - i'll be keeping an eye on this one[/quote] Good luck with your project, and yes feel free to come take a look when its progressed a bit. [quote name='thatgrantboy' post='1285618' date='Jun 28 2011, 07:53 PM']I'm not sure how far off it'll be (and how much allowance you have) but with the length difference, you may be able to get away with it on the amount your bridge saddles will travel. I found the easiest way to check (after many close calls similar to this on several of my own projects) is put the new neck in the pocket, tight as you can (as if its bolted on) then, with the bridge screwed onto the body (a screw at either end is fine) whip your measuring tape out. Pull the tape out to 34" (the scale length) and put the 34" mark at the nut, then see where the end of the tape lands at over your bridge. You obviously need the saddles of your bridge to be touching the end of the tape, for your entire bass to be intonated properly (of course apart from minor tweaks). But if the saddles reach the tape, you know you've got the minimum allowance there. Hope this helps [/quote] Thanks for this, certainly makes sense. I'll be sure to try it when the hardware arrives, im thinking a small bridge adjustment wont be too bad anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatgrantboy Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Even if you do need to drag your bridge closer to the neck, the bridge will cover the existing holes (if you don't fill them before a respray/polish etc) anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 [quote name='thatgrantboy' post='1285706' date='Jun 28 2011, 09:14 PM']Even if you do need to drag your bridge closer to the neck, the bridge will cover the existing holes (if you don't fill them before a respray/polish etc) anyway [/quote] Apologies for hijacking this thread but do you know if a US precision neck (2008) will fit a Squire body (90s) or are there loads of possible combinations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatgrantboy Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 I'm no expert, but I cant see why not. As long as the heel fits in the neck pocket, and you've got the correct scale length from nut to bridge, you'd be fine! And in terms of what i've just said, that leaves you open to a lot of combinations! (apart from, obviously, sticking a different scale neck on there. Unless you want to move your bridge to accommodate that aswell!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 [quote name='cycrowave' post='1285542' date='Jun 28 2011, 07:01 PM']I removed all the hardware this afternoon, and something suddenly dawned on me..... The harrier neck is about 1cm longer than the mightymite. Does this just mean I'll need to adjust the bridge postion? Below you can see the mightymite neck on the body, luckily its a very good fit.[/quote] Yes that's because the Harrier neck is a 21 fret neck whereas the Mighty Mite is a 20. You will probably have to move the bridge - it's best to move it anyway as you won't have the full adjustability for intonation otherwise. I would measure the original neck from the nut to the end of the neck, do the same to the new neck, work out the difference and hey presto, that's how far you move the bridge back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycrowave Posted June 29, 2011 Author Share Posted June 29, 2011 paint ordered from manchester guitar tech, going for daphne blue. stripping and sanding today then its time to get creative with some ply and plug that awful routing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Daphne blue - get you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatgrantboy Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 [quote name='henry norton' post='1286089' date='Jun 29 2011, 09:18 AM']Yes that's because the Harrier neck is a 21 fret neck whereas the Mighty Mite is a 20. You will probably have to move the bridge - it's best to move it anyway as you won't have the full adjustability for intonation otherwise. I would measure the original neck from the nut to the end of the neck, do the same to the new neck, work out the difference and hey presto, that's how far you move the bridge back![/quote] What an oversight! Totally took it for granted there were the same amount of frets when typing up my reply earlier on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stearstree1304 Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 (edited) I would add that if the Harrier neck is a "last fret overhang" in the style of Warmoth's 21 fret necks, you may not have to reposition the bridge as the distance between nut and bridge would be the same when either neck is attached to the body. Of course if it isn't and the whole neck is longer than the Mighty Mite, you're going to have to reposition the bridge as recommended by the other BC'ers. Edited June 29, 2011 by stearstree1304 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycrowave Posted July 6, 2011 Author Share Posted July 6, 2011 Bit of an update. Iv decided to use the original neck with this project, and use it as a general learning experience. I took delivery of a very nice p-bass body from brandoni which will be paired with the mighty mite neck. For this project i'v decided to go fretless, and hopefully get my spray can paint technique up to scratch before using the very expensive nitro cans. After the top coats came off, removing the sealant underneath proved quite tricky... [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5909577568/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5909577568/"]IMAG0320[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr Lots of stripper and lots of patience... [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5909577930/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5909577930/"]IMAG0321[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr Taking out the frets. [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5909020561/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5909020561/"]IMAG0322[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr I used a very fine flathead screwdriver, and very gently tapped under then pulled out with plyers. [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5909021035/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5909021035/"]IMAG0323[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr Filling in the gaps. [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5909579418/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5909579418/"]IMAG0324[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5909579868/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5909579868/"]IMAG0325[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr For the next step I'm going to need a radius sanding block, and some epoxy to give the fretboard a nice finish. Should be painting the body next week, wish me luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycrowave Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 body primed and first epoxy coat applied to neck. using the epoxy was errrr, interesting. I stupidly mixed it in a plastic container and after 20 mins or so it started smoking and got really hot! Lesson learnt... Im waiting for another tin of primer to turn up, as all the imperfections showed up after the white went on and i'v since done some spot repairs. [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5930104639/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5930104639/"]IMAG0327[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5930661442/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5930661442/"]IMAG0331[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_B Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 Are you going to replace the nut, or file it down a bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycrowave Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 (edited) my friend will be carving a bone one for me. he uses dog bones from the pet shop to great effect! Edited July 12, 2011 by cycrowave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycrowave Posted July 26, 2011 Author Share Posted July 26, 2011 ok so the bass is now painted. its been a rollercoaster ride of succeses and failures but I'v learnt a lot and had fun doing it! [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5977783719/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5977783719/"]IMAG0344[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5978344106/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5978344106/"]IMAG0354[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr The color is blue pearl. Depending on the angle of the light it appears blue or green. quite cool! [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5977783331/"][/url] [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61548359@N05/5977783331/"]IMAG0343[/url] by [url="http://www.flickr.com/people/61548359@N05/"]Cycro[/url], on Flickr Iv also lacquered the neck, now to wait a few weeks for everything to cure and choose some pups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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