AGB-30 First Build

[Roam]

I plan on starting my AGB-30 build this evening. This will be my first instrument build. I can't actually play bass but I figure that isn't a good reason not to build one. I've been abusing ukuleles for a couple years and I figure a Bass has four strings too so how hard could it be ! Actually I owned a Yamaha 504 for a couple of weeks and it was very hard. It also felt like I was hugging an anvil and it made my elbow ache so I returned it and started looking for a short scale bass.

The kit was very well packaged and I've very pleased with the way they tried to match the grain of the two pieces of the body. I really don't like the look of the head stock and wanted to change it but yesterday I realized that the AGB-30 is based on the Epiphone/Gibson EB-0/EB-3 so I'm just going to leave it as it is.

During the mock build I found that the holes for the threaded inserts for the bridge are too large. Also the surround for the front pickup is interfering with the seating of the neck but that shouldn't be too hard to fix.

The fanciest thing I plan on doing for the build is bit more contouring to make it more comfortable and using some black dye for black/bright finish. I would like to use tru-oil for the finish so I'll have to test to see how it reacts to the alchohol based dye (Solar-Lux NGR Dye Stain).

Here's a link to my gallery. I'll try to figure out how to get the photos to post inline later.
https://1drv.ms/a/s!AnXWCJ4NsjaiioQedzY8Z-tTeuQYGQ

-Hugh

[Roam]

The initial dyeing.


dyeing the front of the neck pocket was a mistake but easily sanded off


After sanding with 120, 220, and 320 I started applying spray on satin varnish. Using a rub on oil would of just smeared the dye everywehere.


After 4 coats of varnish I decided I could do a better job of cleaning up the edges of the dye. Particularly in the upper hook area which is at the bottom left of the image (does this have a name?). So I stopped spraying and will do more sanding.


The back.

[Roam]

So I cleaned up the edges and started varnishing again. Unfortunately after the 5th coat the varnish started turning white!


Luckily the hardware store is close so I bought a lot more sandpaper. While I was sanding off all the old varnish and dye I decided I liked the look of the having the edges stained and the rest of the body bright.


So after sanding off all the old dye and varnish I stained the edges with ebony min-wax stain. I've since applied about 6 coats of Danish Oil and sanded it down to 2000 grit. I'm still not 100% satisfied with the stain on the edges but it's getting closer. I've also ordered some mahogany laminate so the headstock will match the body.






fun-fun-fun!

[Sonic Mountain]

The natural top and black sides look pretty good really!

That milkyness in the varnish is mostly likely due to either too much humidity when applying or too cold a temperature. Given you are in the states I'm going with too cold. If you notice it happening while the finish is still wet a gentle application with a hair dryer can get it out.

[Roam]

Thanks Sonic. I think you'r right about the varnish being too cold. I had started varnishing early in the afternoon and should have quit after the sun went down and the temperature dropped.

[Andyxlh]

That does look nice! I like the black edges too

[Roam]

Thanks Andy.

My mahogany veneer came in.


Took two tries to get it on correctly but in the end ...





I think it has potential.

While everything is very smooth now I would like to apply something on top of the of the danish oil. I'm thinking either war or shelac. Would there be any issues with applying eirther of these finishes over danish oil?

thanks,
Hugh

[JohnH]

Looks great; I really like the way the stain has ended up

[FrankenWashie]

I’m not sure you should apply war over the oil?

[DarkMark]

I’m not sure you should apply war over the oil?

This could get political.