So this is my first build. A YB-4
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So this is my first build. A YB-4
So I'm building a YB-4 as my first build. I'm going to post up a mock up tonight but I did a quick one yesterday. Looks good and I'm really keen to get it going. I'm going to stain it using DT bushfire sunrise and mission beach. Because this is my first build I'll probably have a few questions for the forum and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Segway welcome to the forum. Great kit to start on.
Ask as many questions as you like there's plenty of good help here
best of luck and take your time and you will end up with a cool looking and sounding bass
Welcome Segway. YB-4 seem to be coming back into fashion again. Had seen any builds for a while, and then there seems to be a few people saying they are building them.
So i did a mock up build. looks good. only one issue. the fingerboard sits a couple mm above the body. how should i go about fixing this?
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There's nothing to fix, that's actually how it's supposed to sit (to give sufficient clearance for the height of the bridge). The important thing is how the neck sits relative to the bridge/saddle height, and therefore how the string height (action) will be.
If you clamp the neck in place and then sit the bridge on the body and run a string/fishing line from a nut slot to to the corresponding bridge saddle it should give you an idea if the neck is sitting correctly. Are you using the stock bridge?
Thanks heaps WeirdBits. I'm probably going to use the stock brigde. just tested and compared to my brother's G&L bass and it looked fairly similar. I'm going to start sanding tonight and hopefully get the first stain coat of bushfire sunrise on tomorrow.
I did a YB-4 build not long ago. It has a few mods and an aftermarket bridge but there may be some info in there that's of use to you.
So Today i sanded and put the first stain coats of mission beach and Bushfire sunrise. The mission beach was more yellow than i anticipated but i thinks it'll still be good.:D
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You could always add a small bit of Bushfire sunrise into then next coat of mission beach to make it slightly darker and less yellow. Best to play around with samples on scrap timber but reckon about no less than 5:1 and no higher than 10:1 where the higher number is mission beach.
With the Fret board level they always look to be sitting a bit high but when you consider that bass bridge saddle at their lowest point sit about 15mm above the deck hopefully that provides some perspective to how it should end up.
Cheers, Waz
So did another coat of bushfire sunrise on the body and a cot of 5:1 mission beach to bush-fire on the neck. i think it's looking pretty much exactly like what i had picture (maybe a bit deeper on the body but this will be accomplished by the intensifying coat).
Pics aren't great quality but show more or less the color.Attachment 18432
So on Saturday I put the first coast of intensifying and I think it's just about where i want it. Any tips for finishing (especially regarding the neck)?
Pics to follow
Hey SWAM, looking good. If you are happy with the depth of colour, let the last coat fully cure, give it a light rub with super fine steel wool and start your final coats.
Thanks Wokka for the quick respond, I didn't even have time to get the pictures. Anyway I'm very Happy with this depth. Is there anything i should be concerned with as far as weather goes? it's been raining here in Wollongong, does this matter? Well here's a pic as promised. Bush-fire sunrise 2 coats stain 1 coat intensifying for reference
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Actually looks a bit darker in person
looking good Segway. If the humidity is over about 60% then wait for it to drop, otherwise the DT won't cure very well. DB recommends you allow at least 3 days curing between coats and if it's cooler weather add an extra day or two. You may find that the DT gets a bit darker as it cures
Looks really good, colour looks great
So today I was going to start with the final coat on the body and noticed some small bumps and particles in the finish (see photo). any recommendations on what I should do? thanks in advance.
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I'd do some careful wet sanding with say 1500 grit paper. Light strokes as you want to level it, not break through the finish.
Put first final coat on body and 2nd final coat on neck. Manage to work out the kinks with the body with some sandpaper, steel-wool and elbow grease. Pics to follow
I know it;s been a while since the last post so here's an update:
- I've finished the staining and finishing (body 2 stain, 2 intensifying, 2 final all bushfire sunrise. Neck 2 stain, 2 final)
- I've done all the wiring and shielding
- Installed pickups and output jack
- Installed back cover
- Installed tuners
I am getting the back plate (the one that's used for screwing in the neck) engraved and will put that the bridge on soon.
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Looking really nice. Can I take it that the black 1/4 circle line on the far left isn't a mark on the body?
Good pick Simon - looks like an earthing wire for the bridge when it's installed.
Oh, of course, yes! I should have put 2+2 together. It simply didn't register that there was no bridge on it at all as it looked so complete. D'oh!
Engraving place closed till Wednesday :(
That's a pitty :(
Done.
Attached the neck fitted the bridge and re-did on of the solders and now it's basically done. Just gonna sort out the intonation and action on Monday w my guitar teacher. Here's the final specs
- Stock pickups and electrionics
- Stcok machine heads
- aftermarket bridge
- sandblasted neck plate
- dingo ton bushfire sunrise body (2 coats of each coat)
- Mission beach neck (1 coat mission then on mission beach bs mix then two final coats)
- Da'adario semi-flat strings
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Very nice, the neck plate looks great too.
Nicely done - worth entering the GOTM comp! No prizes only glory! http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...391#post137391
Great looking bass, that neck plate came up well