Bass Customisation Project - Help appreciated

KungFuPro

I recommend giving shellac a go next time you're trying a natural finish, and if you're not happy with the results it can be used as a primer/sealer for a better coat.

I borrowed an electric spray gun off my dad once (the type for covering garden fences, noisy as a jackhammer), tried doing a tinted finish but it didn't go too well. I think that's what put my off spraying, next time I think I'll invest in a proper spray gun & compressor. I wouldn't mind having a go at airbrushing, something like the guy 'Svee' on YouTube does would be sweet .  

Nice bass man, I like a sanded bare neck and just rub it down with beeswax. I've tried truoil before, looks fantastic & builds up to a glass finish but I didn't like the feel. Teak oil & wax is quite nice too, it doesn't build up like lacquer and I never get that feeling of my hand sticking to the neck.

jsniper

Cheers dude. I love it but just wanna change it up a bit.

I took the front and back off today and still need to do the sides. So far so good though.

Miss Mandy

So how's the project going? Made any more progress yet?

jsniper

Not yet no I'm afraid. It's at my mums as she has the garden space to use the heat gun. Hoping to get down next week as I'm away from tomorrow for the weekend. I'll get some pics of the current state next week too.

Sami

Just been reading through this thread - any update on the bass yet mate?

jsniper

Not really! I got it stripped and that is it unfortunately. I got somewhat overwhelmed with uni work, work and then relocating and that is something that got left behind at my mums. I keep meaning to get it but i need to get down there again to grab it.

Sami

Ah shame!  I would have loved to have seen the end result...

KungFuPro

Yeah man, hope you get the time to finish it, I'd like to see what the comic book finish looks like.

I thought about doing something similar, was going to ask around garages that do car decals to make me an Iron Maiden album cover to fit a guitar, something like the ESP LTD Reign in Blood guitar. Thought about buying some decal paper myself and printing it off it parts, but I'm not sure how well that would work.

I tarted up my bass during the summer with zebrano veneer and a blackburst finish, not exactly a professional job but it doesn't look too bad from far away .

Sami

Nice one mate, that's pretty bloody good for a first attempt!

KungFuPro

Thanks, this is my 2nd (or 3rd if you count practicing on the back ) attempt at veneering though, here's a video of my first attempt
                               
It didn't turn out too bad, but I applied too much pressure on the back and it warped/split the veneer, same as the front and I had to redo it. It's a learning process though and if I had to veneer a guitar again I think I could do a better job now.