How to rescue a bad relic job
Hi folks! First post here, figured I'd make it in the tinkering department.
A while back, I traded my MarkBass LM C for this poorly reliced jazz bass. There were ball-peen hammer marks all over it, the finish was scuffed up with what looked like steel wool, and I wasn't a big fan of the red tort-on-red finish. So here's what I did with it.
I got the pickguard off, and it looks like it's a mexican. I ALSO noticed that instead of having to strip the paint off or something, I could simply chip away at it and peel it off, revealing the primer undercoat (back).
After sanding a little bit off of the front of the bass, it looked as though it were one solid piece, which would have been great. However, further sanding would reveal that it is actually 6 pieces of wood (front, back).
That, coupled with the fact that I wasn't able to remove all of the paint from the ball-peen hammer marks, threw out my clear-coat idea. Oh well, on to the first coat of surf green (back,headstock).
24 coats of paint and 12 of polyurethane later, I get a pretty snazzy looking jazz bass (body, headstock). I burned myself a couple times on the soldering iron when I was putting in the pickups, but I'm just happy the thing works, seeing as how this was my first time doing anything like this before.
Nice job scuz. I really like
Nice job scuz. I really like the color. It reminds me of my Tune Bass Maniac (see my profile).
I really dislike those artificial relics. Especially the badly done ones. I don't know what people are thinking when they buy an artificially 'beat up' bass. It's not like it was really gigged by some great artist. And it's not like it would make the person a better player even if it was.
However, re-finishing a badly done relic is cool. It adds your own personal touch to it.
Welcome to BP by the way. Have you seen the BassIAB feature? Feel free to listen and comment on our posted tracks. It's always a good thing to get feedback from another player. Also feel free to record and submit a track yourself if you like. We always look forward to hearing other players.
Hey Scuz. Welcome to the
Hey Scuz. Welcome to the site!
That's a pretty sweet-looking bit of work you did on that Jazz. It ought to be a crime to take a hammer to a perfectly good Jazz Bass. But you've saved it and made it a lot nicer. How's it play? Did they decide to "relic" that as well (bow the neck, screw up the intonation)? :)
Wheat
bassplaying.com
nice job.....
and welcome to the site.....i am sure you will find some great folks here and lots of very good and helpful information
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Greg
Http://www.myspace.com/kybassmaniac
*and it harm none,do what thou will*
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Greg
http://www.youtube.com/user/BroknDreamsBand
Http://www.facebook.com/brokendreamsband
http://www.reverbnation.com/brokendreamsband
*and it harm none,do what thou will*
Now you just need a
Now you just need a replacement decal:
http://www.fender.com/support/faqs.php#q9
Probably not worth the trouble, though. You could stencil your own pretty easily (or buy a fake one). But since yours is a legit Fender, it might be something to consider.
Wheat
bassplaying.com
Those look like aftermarket
Those look like aftermarket pickups and an aftermarket bridge (BadAss II?). Are they? Pickups on my fenders have open pole pieces. And the bridges are the standard variety (i.e. without the thicker metal across the bottom.
Wheat
bassplaying.com
That's a beauty. Fantastic
That's a beauty. Fantastic job!
Bo
You don't love me, you just love my FINGERSTYLE!
Peavey T40; SX/Squier P-bass; Spector Legend 5
Roland Bass 30 Cube
Bo
You don't love me, you just love my FINGERSTYLE!
Peavey T40; SX/Squier P-bass; Spector Legend 5
Roland Bass 30 Cube