RC-4 build

Hi
Been working on this for a little while so thought I should start a diary for it.
Kit had a couple of minor glue marks next to binding which were fixed fairly easily (not shown in pic).
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While looking thru pics for colour ideas, noticed there is a larger radius in the hip area on the back so thought I would try to replicate that. Used a 12mm round over router bit, first time using a router so the ends of the routing needed to be finished by hand with a file.
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Bloody fantastic idea. I love my RC, but the sharp edges do dig in after a while.

Really nice belly fix! Maybe one day add in a belly carve that is properly suited to your own gut?

As for colouring, wanted to do something a little different and tried to combine two ideas into one (may not be to everyone's taste).
Started with Fender's Antigua
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and Rick's Fireglo
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Wanted to get the grain to show through so decided to use water based dyes. The result is something that might even be too lairy for the Bay City Rollers
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Thanks Pabs and keloooe, if I made a relief big enough for my gut it would go back up to the binding, hehe.

Ordered a Rick replica bridge from allparts even though Pabs has pointed out the string spacing on bridge that comes with the kit is wider. I can live with it being a bit narrower and wanted a more authentic look (apart from the colour). mock up
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Didn't allow for the new bridge needing to be recessed into the body. Between not sealing the colour coats well enough with Tru-oil and a slip with the blade when cleaning up the binding, it was time to get the router out again for the bridge relief and get ready to sand back and start again.
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So here's where I'm up to now. Colour applied again and sealed with 3 sprayed coats of tru oil.
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Will let this cure for a few days before cleaning up the binding and hope I don't slip again.

Looks great - the RC-4s are a great kit!

Love the burst, this is coming along nicely

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

Different, I like it. :)

that is really well done! love it in green tones

love the burst Neverwas, the colours look sweet. Did you really need to sand the colours off to route the bridge recess ? seems a bit excessive. You did a great job replicating the burst second time

For second, when I was scrolling down, I though you were going to go the full Antigua paint job (which I think would have been cool). The finish you've gone with looks great though.

Thanks everyone. Wokks, the recess wasn't the only reason for sanding back. The back wasn't sealed well enough and made a few dark marks in the white while I was cleaning up the binding on the front and would've stood out even if I tried to touch them up, not to mention a careless slip with the blade on the front which put a scratch across the burst.
Fretty, the antigua scheme was the original plan but it kind of went astray a little and painting the pick guard to match may have caused one headache too many.

no worries Neverwas well it was well worth sanding back then. Looks awesome these colours, this will be a beast once its finished

I just realised the colour scheme reminds me of Malachite.
This bass is just as beautiful as that particular gemstone.
Did you use an airgun or airbrush to achieve that tremendouly smooth burst?

Thanks Wokka. Maxaxe, I used an airbrush for the burst. Just the back took all afternoon, part of the fun of using unfamiliar products and learning as you go (the products not the airbrush) and being overly cautious. Had to look up what malachite looks like and thanks for comparison, the stone looks better :)

Cleaned up the binding this arvo using an improvised tool. Used a blade from a hobby knife kit from the local cheap shop and a nylon spring clamp. Not fool proof, still need to be careful, but works OK. Funny thing is there was more binding on the ES - around the f-holes as well as the outer edge- and I got thru that without a slip. Anyway, I'm sure most of you have your preferred method for scraping binding but thought I would share this if it helps anyone.
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She's looking amazing Neverwas! That burst is just superb. She's gone be a killer bass man. Just killer.

cheers,
Gav.

Cheers Gav

Duuuuuuude that burst is awesome!

Thanks keloooe. Does this move me up the list for gav's STA?

nice scraper idea!

I keep looking at this - great colours!

Dayam!
Thats a great burst ya got going there Neverwas :)

Little request. Can you do a mockup as you did on the first page of the thread with the stock bridge. I'm trying to picture how it would look with that sort of paint scheme.

Thanks Stan and DB, appreciate it.
As per your request moody
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And here is where the headstock is at
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Looks a bit dark with the truss rod cover on, but might be OK when it's unmasked and the tuners installed. The rest of the neck will just be natural with tru oil.
DB, I know I just mentioned a banned product but can I ask if you have any plans - are working on - a white DingoTone?
There is the Wudtone one but would like to try DT and have a vague idea for a future build.

Thank you very much.

I believe I will be happy with the stock bridge. I didn't much like the idea of spending $50+ dollars on a replacement bridge just for the visual appeal which no one would notice.

I think that with chrome hardware the truss rod cover will be fine. Mock up is excellent!

You're welcome moody, thanks again Stan

That's one sweet looking bass

The color combination looks awesome.

Thanks Tim and vh. I thought the colours might be a bit too much for most but so far the response has been good, thanks all :)

After the slow process of many tru-oil coats, 10 on the body and 6 on neck, it was time for a dry fit to check string heights.
Over a couple of days I adjusted the truss rod to bring the neck straight, it had quite a bit of backbow out of the box, purely for the purpose of checking if it needed to be shimmed. Used fishing line to check string heights and with the neck clamped in and the bridge at its lowest setting the gap at the 12th fret was 2.3mm. If for any reason the strings needed to go lower there was no adjustment left so I made a shim. I got it to 1.2mm thick and this leaves enough adjustment in the bridge to raise the string height.Attachment 2695
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Nothing is glued in yet, so any opinions are welcome.

Grant

Is the bridge centred correctly? It looks like the strings are off to the bass side.

Sharp eye there moody. The pic was taken before a little tweaking of position of bridge and neck.

Neck attached
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Well done Grant. Love the look of natural neck and the cool burst. Look forward to the final stages of the build

Beautiful work mate.

Looking amazing Grant! Can't wait to see this bad boy strung up!

cheers,
Gav.

Final home stretch now!