Hi
Pete, our old-gits-band's bassist gave me his entry-level Yamaha Fretless (RBX270F) when I made him the Warwick Thumb tribute to 'do whatever I liked with'.
This weekend I got round to doing something with it - started a quick pimp-up by doing a veneer job. Thought some of you might like to see how easy it is to do, so I'll post this as a quick look-see and add more detail if anyone is interested in trying something similar.
First was getting off the previous coating - I used a bit of heat and a decorators scraper (sometimes it need a LOT of heat and a decorators scraper!)
Once the paint and poly was off, it revealed the thin ply covering sometimes used over multi-piece bodies to hide the cracks. I left it on on the top (because this will be veneered, but sanded it off the back to reveal the 6 (!) part body:
Now I took my piece of myrtle veneer (0.6mm) and made sure it was going to fit as one piece:
Then the little bit of magic for those who haven't seen it done before - standard white PVA (I use Evostick Wood Adhesive) can act as an iron-on glue. You put a thin coat on both surfaces, let them dry to touch-dry (about 20 minutes), then just iron it on :-)
I apply using a small foam roller - gives a very even coat. I also spray the back of the veneer with water as soon as I've applied the adhesive to stop it curling.
The great thing is that, once the PVA is on and dry, the veneer goes almost leathery and is very flexible and surprisingly tough.
After 20 mins or so, when the PVA is touch dry on both the veneer and the guitar top, you just iron it on. The PVA remelts, so if there is a bit you've missed with the iron, you can go back and flatten it down with the iron later - even after it's cooled!
Notice the arm relief bends perfectly well. Veneer applied this way struggles with compound curves but simple curves a la strat, etc, are a cynch.
I rough cut with scissors and then use a Bic disposable knife to 'saw' through the edges, using the body as the guide.
And voila - after three fairly non-intensive evenings worth from start to this stage, I have a body ready for final sand and varnish!
I should be able to post the varnishing shots at the weekend.
It'll be going on ebay. I'm thinking of putting some DiMarzio D126's or some 'Duncan-designed' pups in to give it a bit more oomph - do you think that would make it more desirable or stick with the stock pup's?
Andy
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Sorry if that's a dumb question...
I love the look of furniture guitars. So long as they are played that is a pretty spectacular transformation! Good for wood stocks around the world too, rather than an inch of the stuff doing one guitar
I'm considering refinishing my musicman sub active sterling, but the finish is that thick textured blue, and it's poplar underneath. Great tone wood, bloody horrible to look at...