nick Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 (edited) The Ibanez Black Eagle has been on GAS list for over a decade, so when this 1977 Antoria (made in the same factory) popped up on Ebay a few weeks ago, I had to snap it up! I didn't pay much for it, but it does need a bit of work as per the photo. [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/Basses/2016-01-15%2018.12.27_zpsaslvb0sw.png.html"][/url] The pickguard is missing, however I've found someone via the Black Eagle FB page to make a replica.The original pickups have been replaced by previous owner to Bartolinis. I 'm going to swap them out for some split coil humbuckers made by Jess Loureiro. I'm also going to rewire the bass with CTS pots, proper jazz knobs & a PIO tone cap. Replacing the old tuners for some nice new Gotohs too. The worst bit is the headstock damage, which I gather is quite common. Not sure yet how I'm going to fix it, will probably entrust a guitar repairer on this. However, the neck feels great, frets are good & it's a lovely bass to play. Contrary to all other reports I've seen on the weight of these basses, this Antoria is not heavy at all. Where the paint has been chipped in various places on the body, I can see quite light coloured wood, nothing like mahogany or a 'sandwich' block. It's a comfortable bass to use, thankfully not a backbreaker! Will post more pics, when I've finished tidying it up. Cheers Edited January 15, 2016 by nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roman_sub Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 looks very cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Wow. It looks like a Jazz Bass after a few years in Mordor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Nice looking bass . What's the headstock damage like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1452945463' post='2954911'] Nice looking bass . What's the headstock damage like? [/quote] Thanks... Here's a photo of the damage, section has broken away, unfortunately lost by previous owner. At the moment it's more of a Black Macaw than Eagle! Would be grateful for any advice or suggestions on possible repair. [url="http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/nickonbass69/media/2016-01-16%2012.14.15_zpsilioocd0.png.html"][/url] Cheers Edited January 16, 2016 by nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Ah, after googling it I now see how it should look like! That's a pretty flawed design having the grain running across such a short distance and at a curve! So its no wonder they get broken. Looks nice though . It would definitely best to take it to a luthier. First the two broken areas would need to be sawn square then planed perfectly flat (or routed). Then a matching piece of Maple would be glued in, before reshaping and then routing out that curved slot again. Obviously then the headstock face would need to be refinished. It's always going to be a weak area as it's a flawed design, but if done correctly it should be no weaker after the repair than it was when first constructed. It'd be pretty straight forward but take some balls . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick Posted January 20, 2016 Author Share Posted January 20, 2016 [quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1452955955' post='2955048'] Ah, after googling it I now see how it should look like! That's a pretty flawed design having the grain running across such a short distance and at a curve! So its no wonder they get broken. Looks nice though . It would definitely best to take it to a luthier. First the two broken areas would need to be sawn square then planed perfectly flat (or routed). Then a matching piece of Maple would be glued in, before reshaping and then routing out that curved slot again. Obviously then the headstock face would need to be refinished. It's always going to be a weak area as it's a flawed design, but if done correctly it should be no weaker after the repair than it was when first constructed. It'd be pretty straight forward but take some balls . [/quote] Thanks for your advice, much appreciated. Going to have a think about how to go about it. Someone else has suggested moulding a section out of fibreglass in place of the missing piece of wood, another suggestion was to use headstock from a damaged donor fenderish neck & cut a piece out to fit. Once I 've done all the other bits, will start approaching some luthiers. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Nice - I'd love a little project like this (need to spend more time browsing ebay!). Good luck with it, they're cool basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 [quote name='nick' timestamp='1453326239' post='2958553'] Thanks for your advice, much appreciated. Going to have a think about how to go about it. Someone else has suggested moulding a section out of fibreglass in place of the missing piece of wood, another suggestion was to use headstock from a damaged donor fenderish neck & cut a piece out to fit. Once I 've done all the other bits, will start approaching some luthiers. Cheers [/quote] No problem . Those are some weird suggestions! If you need any further advice come the time then let me know. Good luck with the restoration, look forward to seeing it when finished! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted January 20, 2016 Share Posted January 20, 2016 Someone on the [url="http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/forum/"]Ibanez Collector's World[/url] board restored one of these with very similar damage a few years ago - I think he shaped a piece of maple to replace the missing bit. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted January 21, 2016 Share Posted January 21, 2016 (edited) I'd recommend replacing the headstock part in maple - Shaping it to size. Slot it using a thin saw or router, then use splines to create a much stronger (but slightly uglier) headstock. E.g.[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCL9YAvTo0Q[/media] Actually meant this one: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlfHtHv4ns4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlfHtHv4ns4[/url] Edited January 21, 2016 by PlungerModerno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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