JB-1; Nates birthday present...

[Bass Guy]

What a way to finish a nutty week; come home to discover a PitBull package on the door! Win!

This project is not for me, but a birthday present for a young man who has just started playing bass in a proto-punk band. He is a supremely talented violinist as well. So the challenge is to provide him with a FRETLESS for his band...

I have defretted several basses in the past- my P bass kit fretless has seen hours of action- so I will be documenting this process as well. Comments/advice more than welcome.

First of all, this photo is the first assembly before drilling, finishing, etc. I notice a bit of a gap in the neck pocket, but this can easily be filled. It will just take a bit of thought.

More to follow. Just don't tell the birthday boy :) . He doesn't know this is happening....

Cheers,

Bass Guy
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/37ok0-image.jpg

[dingobass]

Quote from Bass Guy on March 15, 2013, 18:15
What a way to finish a nutty week; come home to discover a PitBull package on the door! Win!

This project is not for me, but a birthday present for a young man who has just started playing bass in a proto-punk band. He is a supremely talented violinist as well. So the challenge is to provide him with a FRETLESS for his band...

I have defretted several basses in the past- my P bass kit fretless has seen hours of action- so I will be documenting this process as well. Comments/advice more than welcome.

First of all, this photo is the first assembly before drilling, finishing, etc. I notice a bit of a gap in the neck pocket, but this can easily be filled. It will just take a bit of thought.

More to follow. Just don't tell the birthday boy :) . He doesn't know this is happening....

Cheers,

Bass Guy
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/37ok0-image.jpg

Cool1!
Great to have another Bass Head on here :D

Cant wait to see your de fretting, i have done it myself and we will be offering it as another Pit Bull service for those that want a fretless.

It is all about the bottom end! :P

[Bass Guy]

Headstock shaping is finished, fingerboard taped up, neck sanded- all ready for a darn good Wudtoning. I still have some original vintage leftover, so it will be getting The Treatment.

The headstock grain, in particular, is going to be stunning if previous results are anything to go by....
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/v1t6c-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/4qhz2-image.jpg

[dingobass]

Hey Bass Guy,

One suggestion.....
If you are going to de fret the neck, I would do it before applying the finish.... You don't want to screw up a nice neck finish job! ;)

[Bass Guy]

Quote from dingobass on March 21, 2013, 18:04
Hey Bass Guy,

One suggestion.....
If you are going to de fret the neck, I would do it before applying the finish.... You don't want to screw up a nice neck finish job! ;)

Oh yes! Salient words, DB. I did vacillate for a while there, but I am not convinced I have taken all the sanding marks out yet.

On the subject of defretting, my approach will be to fill the fret holes with Timbamate, but I've also seen people fill the holes with veneer, and even binding cut to size. What would be your preference?

Bass Guy.

[dingobass]

Quote from Bass Guy on March 21, 2013, 19:58

Quote from dingobass on March 21, 2013, 18:04
Hey Bass Guy,

One suggestion.....
If you are going to de fret the neck, I would do it before applying the finish.... You don't want to screw up a nice neck finish job! ;)

Oh yes! Salient words, DB. I did vacillate for a while there, but I am not convinced I have taken all the sanding marks out yet.

On the subject of defretting, my approach will be to fill the fret holes with Timbamate, but I've also seen people fill the holes with veneer, and even binding cut to size. What would be your preference?

Bass Guy.

Hey Bass Guy,

Defiantly not Timbermate for this job, it will crumble and fall out!

Binding trimmed down works well, but is very labour intensive.

DB's secret material is, wait for it, pot plant labels!
The plastic these are made from is flexible and just the right thickness.
Cut it to length, slip it into the slot and use Stewmac super glue and bob is your uncle :P

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/y6ie2-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/9o8o3-image.jpg

[keloooe]

Quote from dingobass on March 21, 2013, 20:44

Quote from Bass Guy on March 21, 2013, 19:58

Quote from dingobass on March 21, 2013, 18:04
Hey Bass Guy,

One suggestion.....
If you are going to de fret the neck, I would do it before applying the finish.... You don't want to screw up a nice neck finish job! ;)

Oh yes! Salient words, DB. I did vacillate for a while there, but I am not convinced I have taken all the sanding marks out yet.

On the subject of defretting, my approach will be to fill the fret holes with Timbamate, but I've also seen people fill the holes with veneer, and even binding cut to size. What would be your preference?

Bass Guy.

Hey Bass Guy,

Defiantly not Timbermate for this job, it will crumble and fall out!

Binding trimmed down works well, but is very labour intensive.

DB's secret material is, wait for it, pot plant labels!
The plastic these are made from is flexible and just the right thickness.
Cut it to length, slip it into the slot and use Stewmac super glue and bob is your uncle :P

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/y6ie2-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/9o8o3-image.jpg
Looks like a nice technique there DB!!!

[Bass Guy]

That is a genius solution, DingoBass- I will give it a try on this one.

Bass Guy

[Bass Guy]

First coat of base colour. Two parts Surfer Girl to one part White Base.

Like this already...wait for the sliver highlights... 8-) :D
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/539ff-image.jpg

[Bass Guy]

Defretting in progress. SLOWLY DOES IT,,
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/5yahb-image.jpg

[Bass Guy]

DingoBass, your fretline solution worked brilliantly! Big thanks- so easy too...
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/ib1eq-image.jpg

[Bass Guy]

Second coat of Surfer Girl base colour (2x Surfer Girl to 1x White Base) and shielding done.

I am going to redo the fretline job as I made the mistake of trying to cut them to shape whilst not glued in place. D'oh!

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/km7h8-image.jpg

[Bass Guy]

Looks like this is going to work... Yay!
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/51w56-image.jpg

[keloooe]

Looking awesome Bass Guy!!!

[Bass Guy]

Thanks! Inam waiting on a white pearloid scratchplate to arrive. That should set it off juuuuuust fine...

[Bass Guy]

Thanks! I am waiting on a white pearloid scratchplate to arrive. That should set it off juuuuuust fine...

[keloooe]

Oh yes, white pearloid will really set this thing off!!!

[dingobass]

Quote from Bass Guy on March 23, 2013, 16:51
DingoBass, your fretline solution worked brilliantly! Big thanks- so easy

Glad it worked out for you :D

[Bass Guy]

I have changed the supplied scratchplate for a white pearloid "mother of toilet seat" one off ebay. I think it sets off the surfer punk vibe beautifully. What say you guys???
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/jvm53-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/rz6nb-image.jpg

[Gavin1393]

If the scratch plates off ebay are like mine they are probably Grandmother of pearl they are so wrinkled.... But not too bad at the price. It looks good although expect DB to suggest the tortoise shell red.....there is just something about that blue and red combo.....

[dingobass]

Normally I would concur with the Gavmeisters remark about red pearloid, but this time I think that you have nailed it with the dunny seat pearloid plate :D

[Bass Guy]

I did originally hanker for a proper tortoise shell look, but I saw a Sandberg bass in Surfer Girl type colour with the white scratchplate, which convinced me otherwise.

[Bass Guy]

Added silver highlights to the front and sides.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/l0i09-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/kl9mr-image.jpg

[keloooe]

Wow, the grain highlights look amazing!!!

[Bass Guy]

I may have engaged in an act of heresy here...

All through this build I have been very impressed with the way the Wudtone has accentuated the grain on the face of this bass. It's almost a zebrawood effect.

The same however could not be said for the back. As I had not sanded the glue spots and filler spots effectively the Wudtone struggled to take, and each subsequent coat only served to highlight the fact that the spots were there.

So after a week or two of moral dilemma, I decided upon blasphemy. I would spray the back of the body with a close matching enamel paint, thus covering up the spots.

I have also chosen to use the fullstrength Wudtone tint on these edges to make the blend a little less jarring. The next phase will be mixing the enamel witht the white base to even the colour distributiin. I hope.

If Callum is known as Pest, does this make me known as Heretic?

:D
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/r0f4e-image.jpg

[keloooe]

Uh oh!!! Yep, that's what happens when you haven't sanded the body properly...
And yep, you could probably have a nickname if you keep that up!!! DB will give the final answer! Good luck with the spraying!

[pablopepper]

Hey man, you gotta do what you gotta do. It would have been a great shame if you had to do the front too, because that looks great, but it's YOUR guitar. If you're happy with it, that is what matters.

[dingobass]

BURN HIM!, BURN HIM!, HE'S A WITCH! :D

Oh well, lesson learned. Sand, sand some more and then sand again. Then when you think you have got it, SAND AGAIN... :D

General note to every one.
If you experience any problems with filler etc, please send me an email, I am here to help you guys to get the very best out of your builds.

[Bass Guy]

:D

Yep, as with both my builds the learning curve has been revelatory. Which is why I enjoy this so much.

I will be a good boy from now on.... ;)

[Bass Guy]

Been quite a while between postings, but this is where we are up to now. All we need is to fit the bridge and string it up.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/sk62y-image.jpg

[dingobass]

Looking good Bassguy,
I am almost ready to forgive you for putting ni....ni....ni... nope, just can't bring myself to say the word! :P

[Bass Guy]

Fear not, DB... Not a drop of the cellulose-type finishing stuff anywhere near this one.... Although the back is sprayed with acrylic, the front and sides are pure Wudtone.

[dingobass]

Sorry, my bad... but still, ac... ac... Same reaction! :D

[Bass Guy]

Et voilá- c'est fini!
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/9xj5u-image.jpg

[Brendan]

Nice job - how does it play?

[keloooe]

Wow El, just wow... If a guitar player who prefers the P Bass Deluxe over most other basses says wow to that, then it is one AWESOME job there!!! Nate will be so happy!!!

BTW, Je parle francais aussi!! My French isn't perfect :P

[Bass Guy]

@Brendan- not wishing to blow my own trumpet but it plays like a dream! :D But I am willing to put this down to the quality of the materials rather than any brilliant workmanship on my part...

[Brendan]

Just what I wanted to hear - planned build #2 once I have made most (all right some) of the total newbie mistakes on my current one...
:-)

[dingobass]

Very nice!
Well done Bassguy :)

[adam]

Looks great Bassguy. I hope this is going to be our first Bass entry into Guitar of the Month. We just need four photos (one of the whole guitar; you've got that covered, a close up of the body, close up of headstock and a shot of the back). Post them here or email to me (adam@pitbullguitars.com) and we'll send them to our special guest judge, Phil Manning, at the end of the month.

[Bass Guy]

Final photos
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/3cg3n-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/a3309-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/8342e-image.jpg

[Bass Guy]

Last three
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/h1tm3-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/8yvpk-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/106sv-image.jpg

[keloooe]

WOW WOW WOW!!!! I love P bass Deluxe's over any Fender basses, and that looks so sexy!!!!!

[Brendan]

Nice job Bass Guy! All come together nicely...

[dingobass]

Schweet!

[keloooe]

Hurry up and give it to Nate before DB steals it!!!!