Walnut and Maple Bass Project

Maricopa

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Control cavity done and some rounding over and shaping and sanding. Still a lot to do but it's getting there. Some stain and oil and this thing is gonna look great!
 

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Maricopa

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Man that was a big, maple neck...I like the squared off volute, it's different.
 

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Maricopa

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Amazon had a pre-wired Jazz Bass control plate for $15 so I went for it. Uses mini pots but seems well done. Thought I'd score a 'free' control plate in the deal to use on something else, but it's scratched pretty badly near the input jack. Oh well, I can use it on something for myself.
 

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Maricopa

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Neck pocket deepend, pickups cavities routed and wiring holes drilled. Down to not much more than sanding....and sanding...and sanding.
Pickups will go well with the black Jazz Bass knobs and black control cover. Happier with it than I thought I'd be. :)

I have 2 others that need finishing, they will be nitro but I'm leaning more toward oil on this one. First guitar building book I ever bought was Melvyn Hiscock's back in '87 or '88 and I always loved that oiled walnut bass he built. Been watching a lot of furniture builds and finish reviews trying to decide between Tru-Oil, which I've used before, and one of the fancy oil/wax concoctions like Odies, Rubio Monocoat, etc.
 

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TomBrokaw

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Give 'em the beans!
I've used RMC on my very, extremely basic shelf and coffee tables. I loved working with it - smells great ad applying it couldn't be easier. My only complaint is storage.

The sample size should be plenty for the bass, but the samples don't come with hardener. The next size up does but is meant to cover several hundred sf, so you'd need to store the leftovers. I found that resealing the cans wasn't feasible so I used some glass jars, but they were big enough that some air was included when sealed. It took about a year but both the oil and the hardener solidified before I was able to use it all.

If you're more productive than me, this may not be an issue, but at the price it goes for, I felt it's worth mentioning.
 

Maricopa

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Thanks Tom. I've had Tru-Oil go 'bad' too in a similar way.

I'm wanting to do more furniture projects so I wouldn't mind getting a larger container of the Rubio or similar.
 
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crazydave911

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Was planning on leaving the fretboard blank, but then I found a bag of pearl dots...lol

Whatddaya think about this?
I like it 😁, TBH anything helps a 5 string bass 🙄
Sorry, but my son had an Ernie Ball #$_& and as usual I ended up working on it (constantly). First, a 3/16" trussrod that had the neck playing spaghetti noodle. Tried every brand of string known and it DIDN'T help. Finally got to where when he'd bring it I'd just get cutters and snap the B string and walk off. Not to mention too long and too heavy lol 🤣.
I still think Fender gave up on the Swinger Bass too soon 🤪
 
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Maricopa

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3 piece neck with some mondo CF rods....I'm not expecting this one to move much (fingers crossed). It's certainly been seasoned lol.

Ended up extending it to the 1st fret and NOT messing up and putting the 24th fret markers after the 24th fret like in my initial layout :rolleyes:
 

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Maricopa

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All sanded with a wipedown of Danish Oil for color. Decided to do Tru-Oil for the final finish, but will keep the shine down to a minimum.

Still futzing with the neck shape.
 

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Maricopa

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Frets showed up today and got 'em installed, neck finish sanded and stained.
 

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Maricopa

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Sorry to hear that Dave. :confused:

Got some Tru-Oil Friday and started on the finish. Going for matt finish and will add a coat of wax when I'm done. Did about 3 coats, wiping down after a couple hours then let 'em cure a day and did the OOOO steel wool thing. Back, sides and neck are almost there, maybe 2-3 more. I'll do the top after they are done.
The overlay is naturally darker than the board, but I'll do it last and probably just a single coat.
 

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