Michael's 1st build HB-4S

Very nice progress Michael, the stain choices are really doing great things with that spalt!

Yes, I agree with FW. It's looking great. And that superglue veneer fix you highlighted earlier isn't obviously visible in the photo. Good luck with the pup surrounds and cover plates.

its looking really nice, I like your ideas for the control plates etc, very classy

That spalt is awesome!

Nice work and like the warmth shellac has given the front


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Like what you have done as it has given the Bass an antique almost violin appearance.

Thanks folks - I am pleased with the colouring so far.

So - the top has had 2 layers of shellac, and about 4 coats (maybe 5) tru oil. Sanded lightly with 400 grit after 2 layers of oil. I am starting to really notice the dips and troughs in the wood (appear to have become more pronounced). Is this because I am not sanding enough, laying oil on too thick, simply the nature of the wood with oil finish, or do I just keep going and hope it will fill up a little more as I hit coat 12+???? Really nervous about sanding the veneer too much. Advice and assurance please!
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I would imagine it's just the finish still sinking in. People here would on average probably put on around 20 coats of TO in total, and probably sand with something finer than 400, maybe every 5 coats. A layer of TO isn't very thick at all, so sanding, whilst important for a smooth finish, can quickly wear away at the coats. I'd be tempted to put on quite a few more layers of TO before sanding again - and wet sand with maybe 1000 grit, using white spirit or turps rather than water in case there's still an absorbent bit of wood or veneer - you don't want it swelling up at this point. Use sandpaper on a block where possible to do so as you want to get the surface as flat as you can.

Thank you Simon

I have noticed that some people do put quite a few coats on per day as each one only normally takes around an hour to dry. So you could probably put one on in the morning and at least two, if not three in the evening, depending on how busy you are.