Onto my 4th build

Hi I'm Rob - here in NZ. I bought my 1st PB kit in 2020 - a Tele custom - made a few mistakes, painted it and never happy. Its stripped and ready for something new - 2nd build the LP jun single p/up beast. Sprayed the back with mudguard underseal - I use it on my speaker bins - I routed another p/up slot at the neck and installed a Guitar workshop P90 - it has the wraparound bridge which I didnt really like. My buddy bought it off me and loves it - I used a Epiphone 3 way switch on it sitting on a 1959 NZ penny ('59 being my birth year) my 3rd build is the semi hollow bass - still having problems with the set neck - I suspect a bad build as the neck is the wrong angle and the strings actually bend where they contact the neck at the body end - its stripped and the neck is being 'adjusted' to suit the pocket better. That one is Liberron victorian mahogany stain on the back andLibberon gold pine on the front. Actually I call it 'dried blood' and 'tobacco' as I wanted it to look battered and bruised, been in a few bar fights - the last build is here on the lounge floor a IB bass - was supposed to be the fretless but had to go fretted as there were no necks left - I stained it Peacock Blue - Libberon again - and it looks great - I tried polyurethane on the body and neck and some little pieces have flaked near the bridge p/up cavity. I've never used poly before and probably wont again. I've been playing music since I was 10, been in heaps of bands, and solo stuff - recorded a couple of original albums, and presently have a duo outfit with a lady friend, a couple of jam bands, play bass in the local C&W club band - a lot of fun - and teach bass, guitar and singing.

Hi Rob.

How close to the pickup cavity did the poly flake? Finish is more prone to lifting if it's stopped at a sharp edge such as a pickup cavity. It need to be run over the edge by a few mm to help it grip.

Otherwise it probably didn't like the surface underneath. What Liberon product was it, a sthey do quite a range, some are just dyes (spirit or water based) but some of their stains are mixed in with an acrylic varnish, and their may be other types as well.

And what sort of poly did you use? Was it a spray, or a water or solvent based wipe-on etc?

Hi Simon - yes, the poly flaked by a p/up cavity - its Miniwax oil based satin and it was after lifting a piece of painters tape. I wiped a small amount over the flaked part and its looking good. I finished the IB 4 bass last nite, I was too excited (impatient as my music partner says) and spent all day/evg on the guitar but looking at it in the cold light of a Spring day its bloody awesome. Sounds great, plays nice, lovely action and intonates perfectly. I reckon its a go for guitar of the month. I had a go at the set neck heel on the other bass with a 1/2 inch chisel and sand paper and am pleased with that too. The neck sits parralel with the strings, the bridge is flat to the body and there's plenty of play with the string height. I've been thinking of painting the bass face - what do you think of enamel rattle can paint? I've usually used acrylic car paint.