kevin_lindsay Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 I grabbed a body from Guitarbuild and the build has started. As per my other builds, the nitrocellulose lacquer has been sprayed at home (with me holding the body out of my kitchen window while applying the various coats!!). I applied the colour in the same way Fender did in the early days. : First step - lots of fine sanding!!! Step 2 - lightly bleach the alter body. Fender didn' do this on their ash bodies at the time as they took colour very easily. Alder naturally goes an orangey shade when you apply clear coats of lacquer- the bleaching process was to provide a lighter base colour. Step 3 - wipe on yellow stain to the bare wood body (and lightly sand again). Step 4 - clear sealer coats of lacquer Step 5 - tobacco brown burst and edges applied. Step 6 - apply clear top coats. Then, everything was left for 3 weeks to allow the lacquer to thin out and sink into the grain of the wood. Then, ideas time to finely send the surface using wet & dry paper. I started with 800 gtadevto lightly scuff the surface. Then, on to 1200 grade. I then followed up with 1500, then 2000, finishing with 2500 grade. The body was then buffed to a shine using Met auto polish (great stuff- leaves no residue on the surface). The rear ferrule holes were then cleaned, and the large diameter inserts installed. Next step will be getting a neck made and lacquered - I'll do that after the Christmas madness has passed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted December 22, 2017 Author Share Posted December 22, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted December 22, 2017 Author Share Posted December 22, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Very nice!! You’ve done a lovely job of the sunburst!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisK1975 Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 Wow, fantastic Job! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted December 22, 2017 Author Share Posted December 22, 2017 Thanks guys. The slightly discoloured pickguard is actually an old nitrocellulose one that I had in my box of bass bits. The nitrocellulose lacquer on my bass is tracing paper thin, so the body will age nicely, to catch up with the pickguard. Ive got an unused Seymour Duncan Antiquity single coil pickup to use in the build. Ive also got Fender True Vintage 1958 knobs (not domed like the early 50s ones, but not completely flat topped and ridged like early 60s ones. Rather, they have a more smoothly blended transition from the top to the knurled sides) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted December 22, 2017 Author Share Posted December 22, 2017 Incidentally, the pics of the body blank are pics of my actual body. I lightly scraped the surface of the neck pocket with a single edged razor blade to achieve an unbranded look. The Guitar Build logo was stamped using ink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted December 22, 2017 Author Share Posted December 22, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 That is looking pretty fab Kevin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 (edited) - Edited February 25, 2022 by Jus Lukin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted December 24, 2017 Author Share Posted December 24, 2017 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 There are just too many talented people in this place *sob* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, fleabag said: There are just too many talented people in this place *sob* Ha ha I know what you mean you think you’ve done a good job of something then you look other peoples posts then look at yours again and just think “I could have done that a bit better!!!” I’m a bit worried now because I’ve just started a 51 p bass build!?! I better up my game a bit and pull something out of the bag!?! Edited December 24, 2017 by Jimothey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 I learned a lesson a few moons ago. Hand work to someone who knows what they're doing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 Looks lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 28 minutes ago, fleabag said: I learned a lesson a few moons ago. Hand work to someone who knows what they're doing I’m fine with the Woodworking side of it, it’s the finishing that lets me down a bit, I think I’m far too impatient!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 (edited) I cant get past the looking at it stage Edited December 27, 2017 by fleabag 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 Makes me miss my 55. Just shouldn’t have sold it. i saw this in PMT yesterday and had a very strong desire to whip out the credit card 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted December 24, 2017 Author Share Posted December 24, 2017 Aaagh!!!!!! Guess I'll have to make it a relic?? I dropped the body and it hit off the edge of my coffee table! Actually, it'll be masked by the large scratchplate. Still annoying though!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu_g Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 Doh! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 In love me a relic, it still looks good 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 24, 2017 Share Posted December 24, 2017 Yeah, but now you can stop worrying about putting a ding in it, that's all over. Very nice job! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skull73 Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 Zhis is looking very good. Great paintjob. The scratch makes it even more authentic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin_lindsay Posted December 28, 2017 Author Share Posted December 28, 2017 (edited) Evan from Webbteca in Ohio, USA is making me a pair of slanted saddles so I can intonate the bass up at "The dusty end" while maintaining the traditional 2 saddle look. They'e being turned from aircraft grade aluminium. Nice touch. They'll look like these brass ones, but in a silvery hue. Edited December 28, 2017 by kevin_lindsay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted December 28, 2017 Share Posted December 28, 2017 This looks brilliant, love me a 50's Precision! Si 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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