51 P Bass Semi-acoustic: The Bass Fender Forgot to Make

Bridgehouse

It’s had a good dry out and harden, and so I’ve given it a going over with the 1200 grit wet and dry with water this time. Silky smooth. Really pleased with the finish - it’s actually better than I thought Danish Oil would be - and I highly recommend it for an easy to do finish that looks great.

I will let it harden properly overnight and give it another smoothing off. 

So far:

Bridgehouse

Had a quick trial fit of the electrics and the knobs just to make sure they looked okay



Yeah - they look ok...

John_P

That’s going to look awesome when it’s finished.    Tempted to have a go at one myself but I’d have use a reverse headstock.  
I’m impressed with the oil finish - did you need to use grain filler or just straight onto the wood?

Bridgehouse

John_P said:

That’s going to look awesome when it’s finished.    Tempted to have a go at one myself but I’d have use a reverse headstock.  
I’m impressed with the oil finish - did you need to use grain filler or just straight onto the wood?

Nice and traditional on the headstock - I find it easier to reach the tuners with my stub arms like this

No grain filling - straight on to the wood. I bought some proper decent cloths and decanted the oil into a plastic tub for easy application. If you have applied an oil to anything before then it's as simple as it gets - otherwise, just go easy and build up coats slowly - it really is about the most simple finish you can do.

I used the wet sand slurry technique - basically sanding with wet and dry paper (600 then 1200 grit) with oil to lubricate rather than water - nice smooth motions up and down the grain. It's left it really smooth back and front - sides will always be less so without grain filler but they are fine. All up it's taken a day and a half to do the finish - and I have put Tru Oil on the neck in the meantime during drying. 

WezV

You may find the Danish oil continues to soak in for a while.  Sometimes the wood can start to look dry.  An occasional re-oil will sort it, or wax it now to keep it nice for longer

Bridgehouse

WezV said:

You may find the Danish oil continues to soak in for a while.  Sometimes the wood can start to look dry.  An occasional re-oil will sort it, or wax it now to keep it nice for longer

Any particular wax?

WezV

Natural briwax for me

Bridgehouse

WezV said:

Natural briwax for me

Thanks!

Funkfingers

Bridgehouse said:

I will let it harden properly overnight and give it another smoothing off. 

How did that get past the censor? 

WezV

Bridgehouse said:

WezV said:

Natural briwax for me

Thanks!

The thing I will say is to avoid Colron.  Their was is a weird paste, not like actual wax at all.   But it is easier to find and I am sure most would assume it was a comparable product

bandmaster188

 That looks superb fella. Can't wait to see the finished job.

Bridgehouse

Following @WezV ‘s advice I’ve applied an initial coat of wax. I’ll leave it to dry, then do another coat, then buff. I’m using some posh stuff the missus has for her furniture restoration - it’s just clear natural but it does give a nice lustrous depth to it. 

Pics in shade and one in direct sunlight so you can see the colour depth:

Bridgehouse

If I’ve learned anything since doing these projects on here it’s this: when a real expert like @WezV suggests something, do it.

I started this project hoping for an adequate finish that wouldn’t look rubbish and would be passable for a gigging bass. I’ve ended up with probably the best natural finish I’ve ever done.

Two coats of wax and a good buffing later (took an hour tops) and it’s taken on a lovely satin sheen.. it’s silky smooth and feels lovely to the touch. Well pleased.

Bridgehouse

Right. First job today was to do the tuners. 

I got some “licenced by” tuners rather than the expensive Hipshot ones. 


Don’t seem too bad inside the box:

Bridgehouse

Turns out “licenced by” screws means “cheese”





Cue up a good hour of cursing swearing and plier action. Sheesh. And I had to find another screw...

Bridgehouse

Anyway, fitted:

Bridgehouse

Next job was the strap buttons. I’m fitting Dunlop’s as I have them on my mono strap, and I like them.

Usual job of masking tape, and soap on the screws..

Bridgehouse

Not looking bad as it stands..

JonHosker

Great job ... well done!

Bridgehouse

Finally screwed neck and body together - it’s actually a bass now!