Finished Pics! A quick 'lighten and veneer' job

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Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3127
edited January 2017 in Making & Modding
It's another bass, I'm afraid, but this sort of thing can be done with many overweight electrics just as well.

I've lightened a few guitars in my time, usually by routing a 'false' control chamber on the back.  The trouble is, it saves a surprisingly small amount of weight.  So what if you want some more out?  

I got a call from a chap with a sore shoulder from the Basschat forum who asked if there was anything that could be done with this quite pretty Harley Benton bass:


Looks nice, plays nice, weighs nearly 11lb

There's plenty of wood could come out from under the pickguard but experience told me it would not be enough to get down to the 9lbs - 9 1/2lb target.  I could also have gone from the back and had multiple faux control chambers

He was also interested in some of the veneer jobs I do, so we came up with a plan - rout from the top and veneer it.

Briefly up to present time:

Trying to keep the balance OK, I avoided taking too much wood out below the bridge.  Everything else was fair game  By the way - like many of us, I'm a fan of Harley Bentons and this is a nice bass and made from...not ply (despite the weight) but solid Ash!

Anyway - cue forstners chisels and router:


This, including the addition of some thin basswood to cover the chambers, took out 1 lb 12oz.

On went the covers and off came the finish:
  


Then on went the veneer (which I'm sure you've all seen before ad nauseam):


..and today, bringing this up to present, the - yes, you guessed it - red ink:

 
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Comments

  • SporkySporky Frets: 27569
    Very nice work as always.
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3127
    Sporky said:
    Very nice work as always.
    Thanks, Sporky.  I'm an avid watcher of your workshop thread, by the way.  I hope the mods think to pin it!!!
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  • DeadmanDeadman Frets: 3851
    Yum! Lacquer will make it pop even more no doubt (if that's what you're planning?)
    Great skills.
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  • BigMonkaBigMonka Frets: 1763
    That looks, and will no doubt feel, like a completely different guitar!
    Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman, in which case always be Batman.
    My boss told me "dress for the job you want, not the job you have"... now I'm sat in a disciplinary meeting dressed as Batman.
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3127
    First sealing coat of varnish on:


    and headstock veneer and first stain coat on:


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  • WezVWezV Frets: 16541
    The looks excellent against the bound and blocks maple board
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3127
    WezV said:
    The looks excellent against the bound and blocks maple board
    Thanks @WezV :)

    I think this is going to look great with that contrast - I'll be doing a mock-up soon and will take a photo if there's enough light on this dull dreary day!
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  • impmannimpmann Frets: 12641
    Looks great Andy but I think I would have rounded that top bit of the headstock so it looked more 'classic'.


    Never Ever Bloody Anything Ever.

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  • usedtobeusedtobe Frets: 3841
    Nice one!
     so if you fancy a reissue of a guitar they never made in a colour they never used then it probably isn't too overpriced.

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  • alcxamalcxam Frets: 112
    Smashing stuff! How much will you be charging for this work? (hope you don't mind me asking...)
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3127
    impmann said:
    Looks great Andy but I think I would have rounded that top bit of the headstock so it looked more 'classic'.


    The owner specifically wanted it left with the sharp bit.  I did offer....  ;)
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3127
    alcxam said:
    Smashing stuff! How much will you be charging for this work? (hope you don't mind me asking...)
    I'll PM you :)

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  • BridgehouseBridgehouse Frets: 24578
    That must be the nicest Harley Benson in existence now...
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3127
    That must be the nicest Harley Benson in existence now...
    Pity I didn't do the challenge last year ;)
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  • BridgehouseBridgehouse Frets: 24578
    That must be the nicest Harley Benson in existence now...
    Pity I didn't do the challenge last year ;)
    Probably the first HB I've actually lusted after a bit ;)
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3127
    That must be the nicest Harley Benson in existence now...
    Pity I didn't do the challenge last year ;)
    Probably the first HB I've actually lusted after a bit ;)
    Wait til you see it tomorrow ;)
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  • BridgehouseBridgehouse Frets: 24578
    That must be the nicest Harley Benson in existence now...
    Pity I didn't do the challenge last year ;)
    Probably the first HB I've actually lusted after a bit ;)
    Wait til you see it tomorrow ;)
    Enough. I've bought two basses in the last month already..... 

    ;)
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  • impmannimpmann Frets: 12641
    impmann said:
    Looks great Andy but I think I would have rounded that top bit of the headstock so it looked more 'classic'.


    The owner specifically wanted it left with the sharp bit.  I did offer....  ;)
    Fair play, mate.

    It still looks ace
    Never Ever Bloody Anything Ever.

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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3127
    That must be the nicest Harley Benson in existence now...
    Actually, modesty aside, I have to concur ;)



    The little sunflower emblem was a personal request by the owner - it will press into an exact fit hole that it's presently just resting on:


     
    I'm going to recommend dispensing with the pickguard, but the neck pickup rout is oversize and will need some form of ring or cover.  I have been able to get hold of Jazz pickup rings in the past but they don't seem to exist any more - anyone seen any?  I can always make one, I suppose.



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  • Wow, that looks really great. Always enjoy your work. 

    Surprised someone is prepared to pay you to do that to a Harley Benton though. They're decent enough instruments but still... 


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