Kerries Electric Blue JB-4

With the last build, my cherished ES, all but completed, it's now time start documenting the next. We've actually been working on Kerrie's JB-4 for a while now but haven't taken that many photos, something I will try to remedy. This shot is halfway through the first coat of electric blue water-based enamel. The intention is to put down about three, maybe four, coats and then clear gloss top-coat over that. If we get the final colour coat right, it should look spectacular!

http://i40.tinypic.com/2iw0unl.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/213g5m8.jpg

This pic was taken after the third coat. We're finding the paint very tricky to work with. Every wipe leaves its' mark! I will allow this coat to cure, then sand down lightly to bring back to smooth before applying the final colour coat. The patches you can see around the middle are where Kerrie has tried to correct streaks or other imperfections and the marks are left where the cloth has first come into contact with the guitar. The final coats will have to be a very wide applicator and the the final stroke will have to be across the entire face in one pass.

http://i42.tinypic.com/210nf55.jpg

The thing is that this paint is marketed toward people that want to achieve a metallic cross-hatch pattern. The manufacturers know it's practically impossible to achieve the look we're going for, so the instructions on the can recommend against going for a uniform finish. Screw that! We're going for gold!

Here's the final colour coat on the front. Still have the sides and back to go, so we'll see how we go with blending. Frankly I'm concerned that it's going to be very tricky, but we'll see. The front came up very nicely though. Sorry about the lousy pic.

http://i40.tinypic.com/w2niwh.jpg

looking sweet SKF, looks like you are pulling off the finish that is hard to get, whats the brand of the enamel electric blue paint you are using ? Might try it out on a spare strat body I have lying around

That's going to be stunning!

You going to upgrade any of the hardware? Can't help thinking a "white pearloid" pick guard would be amazing on it...

That looks great. A 3 inch wide foam paint aplicator would work well with that paint.

looking great guys. the front looks streak free! can't wait to see the finish in all its metallic beauty. i would also like to know the paint brand, as the last few metallic enamels i have used have been rather dissapointing in the glitter department.

cheers,
Gavin.

Thank's for all your comments, guys. I'm pretty stoked about the results so far too, but I think it's really going to come alive under a few clear gloss top-coats! :) The paint is Dulux Metal Effects, and it's damn tricky to work with. Took us a few goes to get the hang of it. Extremely unforgiving! And you can't dawdle with it because it's a fast drier that goes pasty quickly.

Bass Guy, I think that's a great idea about the pearloid pick guard. We mock assembled it last night and I couldn't help but think something was missing, so you may have it there. I will run it past Kerrie and see what she thinks.

Anyway, here's the latest pic, did the final colour coat down the sides last night, which leaves just the back to go in a day or so.

http://i43.tinypic.com/mjv53k.jpg

Wow Scott AND Kerrie, that looks excellent. Didn't think you could get such a good finish with a hand applied Metalic paint.

rob

Thanks Rob. Fingers crossed, we'll get it over the line :)

wow, looking good for a paint job as opposed to stains etc, nice colour

Amazing work guys - looks fantastic. I can't believe you wiped that paint on and achieved such a uniform finish. Can't wait to see it under the clear coats.

cheers,
Gavin.

Here's Kerrie cutting out the headstock
http://i39.tinypic.com/5btms7.jpg

A mock build. Have learnt from experience to do this a couple of times to make sure everything sits where it's meant to :)
http://i40.tinypic.com/2sbnzwo.jpg

Moments after the final assembly. Note the multitude of tools. It's definitely my favourite part of the process! :)
http://i41.tinypic.com/jhyh6t.jpg

And here's the final product!

http://i44.tinypic.com/116jabq.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/id7w3m.jpg

Looks awesome ,with the scratch plate did you cut one out and overlay onto another. Looks great

Yep, exactly. Underneath the scratch plate is a light-gauge steel, back powder-coated cutout. It just didn't look right without some contrast behind it. If we could change one thing, we would have painted the headstock black too before applying the silver leaf. I guess we still could :)

looks great guys, well done!

I like it. very effective

Well done Scott and Kerie, although by looking at your photos I should probably say Kerrie and Scott.

A beautiful and unique guitar, and it's great to see a joint effort. Love seeing a family work on a project together.

rob

Quite right, Rob. Let there be no mistake about it; this was Kerrie's build. I was just there for the electronics and screwdriver skills :)

That's stunning! Very impressive!

That nacreous light blue effect is simply magic, but the pick guard knocks my socks off.
Basses don't always blow my skirt up, but this one sure does.

Beautiful job Kerrie and Scott. Beautiful bass - nice attention to detail and fantastic work on the pickguard.

Quote:

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from sfkhooper on October 27, 2013, 18:57
Quite right, Rob. Let there be no mistake about it; this was Kerrie's build. I was just there for the electronics and screwdriver skills :)

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I thought as much, the look on Kerrie's face says it all.

Well done guys.

rob

Great job.

Thanks guys, for the encouragement. Kerrie is stalking this page, lapping up all the comments. Robin, you're dead right, she's really happy with the whole experience and obviously the results too. This is the first bass in the house and she's just learning, but it heralds a time when we can start playing together, which we're both pretty happy about.

In fact we've plugged into Rocksmith (XBox) and she's already kicking my ass!! Personally, I think Rocksmith is a terrible way for anyone to learn guitar, but it has her playing which is the main thing. :)

Nice job

Amazing job guys. Your custom scratch plate is just icing on the cake! Awesome result. You must be stoked.

cheers,
Gavin.

Very nice - Unorthodox approach, and a great effect. There are some ideas going around here that I'm filing away, and this is one of them!

Scott / Kerrie - check out Scott's bass lessons: http://scottsbasslessons.com/ - heaps of free online bass lessons. Most of all - Kerrie - you've started with the right instrument - none of this 6 string rubbish :).

8O ... "6-string rubbish"! ... bah humbug!

Bass players! - what would we do without 'em? (what are we going to do with 'em?) :D

Great work you guys! As everyone has already said, that pickguard detail is fantastic!