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Just Starting Jazz Bass Kit Build
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Author:  GTS-4 [ Fri Jan 02, 2015 1:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Just Starting Jazz Bass Kit Build
Acquired a Reid & Sons Kit off ebay. Will be my first build ever and wanted to document it.
Thank you for letting me post here!
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Thanks,
Gale
Author:  Van Savage [ Fri Jan 02, 2015 7:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just Starting Jazz Bass Kit Build
Get on in there and get that bass slappin'!!!
Author:  Freeman [ Fri Jan 02, 2015 10:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just Starting Jazz Bass Kit Build
Looks like a good project. Have you decided how you want to finish?
Author:  GTS-4 [ Sat Jan 03, 2015 10:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Just Starting Jazz Bass Kit Build
Thanks for the comments!
Haven't decided for sure on the finishing yet. Considering painting the body and oiling the neck. Have lots of info and options to digest yet. Any suggestions?
Author:  Freeman [ Sat Jan 03, 2015 12:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just Starting Jazz Bass Kit Build
GTS-4 wrote:
Thanks for the comments!
Haven't decided for sure on the finishing yet. Considering painting the body and oiling the neck. Have lots of info and options to digest yet. Any suggestions?


Image

Finishing is one of the hardest parts of building for a home builder to get right. A lot will depend on (1) exactly what you want in a finish (ie color, how shiny, do you want to see the wood, all that kind of thing) and (2) what you have available (spray equipment, rattle cans, brush, hand apply) and lastly, your experience at finishing.

The Erlewine book above will guide you towards a professional looking finish applied at home using (guess what) mostly StewMac products (which are just fine). If you want to use automotive type finishes you should research that separately. I have a friend who is a professional motorcycle painter - he does some incredible paint jobs on guitars.

Gun stock oil is very popular for necks (and some people have good luck with it on bodies) - my only experience is with lacquers so I can't comment. Take your time, practice on scrap, have fun.
Author:  GTS-4 [ Sat Jan 03, 2015 7:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just Starting Jazz Bass Kit Build
Thanks Freeman for the advice & info. Appreciate it!
Wasn't happy with the nut, the way it was glued in. So took it out, modified the notch a little and sanded the bottom of the nut a little and re-glued it. Hoping once I string it up that it will be a little easier to get dialed in. Also cut and sanded the headstock shape today. Left myself a little shy on wood for the E tuner but it fits [headinwall] , just barely, yikes! Have to keep an eye on that later. Oh well, if that's the only boo boo, all will be good :lol: .
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Author:  Freeman [ Sun Jan 04, 2015 1:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just Starting Jazz Bass Kit Build
Looking good. I've never built a bass altho I just did a headstock repair on one last week. Normally when I am setting up a guitar I don't glue the nut in until the slots are exactly where I want them - I do that as part of the final setup (frets, relief, nut slots, action, intonation). I then give the nut a nice polish and very lightly glue it in with just a couple of drops of CA - I want to be able to take it out in the future.

let me suggest another book - Melvyn Hiscock's Make Your Own Electric Guitar has a section on building a bass and doing all the setup, finishing and wiring.
Author:  GTS-4 [ Thu Aug 04, 2016 5:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Just Starting Jazz Bass Kit Build
Finally got this put together after doing some carving on the body. Will be using it to take camping and such. The headstock decal didn't come out like I planned, too thick and does not adhere properly. Might try some water slide on down the road. Was a fun project!
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