2019 FV4 Build

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22-01-2019, 02:03 AM
VandoPlaysBass

4 Attachment(s)

2019 FV4 Build

Received my FV4 kit this week! I had been checking this kit out for a while. When I saw it was available in mahogany, I finally pulled the trigger.

Attachment 29778

I'll be upgrading the pots, switch and jack. The jack has a radius to it for a rounded body, not flat like the wing of a V. Not sure about the pickups yet. I'll test them first, but will likely go with ceramic humbuckers like the ones in my old Thunderbird.

Impressions out of the box:

I could have sworn I opted for the bone nut and copper shielding, but I can find no evidence I did. I can live with the plastic nut and have ordered shielding, because you just can't not shield.

There's some inconsistent routing, but nothing I can't deal with:
Attachment 29779

Here's something, though:
Attachment 29780

The channels for the pickup leads are so high, I'm going to need action of ~1.25 cm above the fretboard on the G string:
Attachment 29781

Or I will just drill new channels.
22-01-2019, 02:14 AM
VandoPlaysBass

2 Attachment(s)

For the finish, I am using Keda wood dye (www.kedadyeinc.com). It's a powdered dye, I'm using an isopropyl alcohol/distilled water mixture.

I'm testing on a few woods, as the mahogany of the body is much lighter in tone than any of the pieces I have been able to get my hands on.

Red:
Attachment 29783

Blue:
Attachment 29784

Once dyed, I will use a water-based grain filler (AquaCoat) so I will be able to get a smooth finish.

I haven't been able to locate any polymerized tung oil - which would be my first choice - because I can't get it shipped to my state. I will be testing tung oil finish (not pure tung oil), Tru oil and Danish oil. Will post pics when those tests are complete. Unfortunately, it is -6°F/-21ºC today, so that's going to be delayed a bit.
22-01-2019, 02:24 AM
FrankenWashie

Nice man, look forward to seeing how this turns out!
22-01-2019, 05:04 AM
G-Axe

Shame about the minor issues from the factory, but nothing you can't work around. Looking forward to seeing it come together.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
22-01-2019, 07:12 AM
TZK321

Looking forward to seeing this.
27-01-2019, 01:03 AM
VandoPlaysBass

1 Attachment(s)

And the winner is... Red dye with Tung oil finish.

Attachment 29845

Next up: working through the body issues. I discovered the stock pickups are somewhat unique and I can't seem to find any after market pups that fit in the cavities without adding a pickguard. If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them. Or let me know if I'm nuts because the stock pups are actually good.
28-01-2019, 01:23 AM
VandoPlaysBass

1 Attachment(s)

"Dyeing" to show my progress. Pickup lead channels routed, body sanded and application of dye has begun.

Attachment 29864
14-02-2019, 07:45 AM
VandoPlaysBass

1 Attachment(s)

10 coats Tung oil + 2 coats slurry
Upgraded pots, switch, Jack and orange drop cap
I surprised one if my bands at a show. They were blown away. It sounds as badass as it looks.

Attachment 30035
14-02-2019, 07:50 AM
VandoPlaysBass

4 Attachment(s)

More pics:

Attachment 30036
Attachment 30037
Attachment 30038
Attachment 30039
Attachment 30038
14-02-2019, 07:55 AM
G-Axe

Looks killer! Love the surprise of the blue neck and it seems like it came together really quickly for you.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
14-02-2019, 08:30 AM
VandoPlaysBass

Thank you!
14-02-2019, 09:42 AM
Bakersdozen

Quote:

Originally Posted by VandoPlaysBass

For the finish, I am using Keda wood dye (www.kedadyeinc.com). It's a powdered dye, I'm using an isopropyl alcohol/distilled water mixture.

I'm testing on a few woods, as the mahogany of the body is much lighter in tone than any of the pieces I have been able to get my hands on.

Red:
Attachment 29783

Blue:
Attachment 29784

Once dyed, I will use a water-based grain filler (AquaCoat) so I will be able to get a smooth finish.

I haven't been able to locate any polymerized tung oil - which would be my first choice - because I can't get it shipped to my state. I will be testing tung oil finish (not pure tung oil), Tru oil and Danish oil. Will post pics when those tests are complete. Unfortunately, it is -6°F/-21ºC today, so that's going to be delayed a bit.

Hi VPB, what's your ratio water to isoprop ? And what are the benefits of using this mix over straight water or isoprop? Cheers! Great looking build by the way =)
14-02-2019, 11:38 AM
VandoPlaysBass

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bakersdozen

Hi VPB, what's your ratio water to isoprop ? And what are the benefits of using this mix over straight water or isoprop? Cheers! Great looking build by the way =)

1 Tbsp warm distilled water with 1/4 tsp dye to dissolve more efficiently. Then 1/2 cup 70% isopropyl alcohol. It dries quickly and sets well. Worked like a charm. I used 1500 wet dry for the slurry. That worked like a dream.
14-02-2019, 12:00 PM
Bakersdozen

Quote:

Originally Posted by VandoPlaysBass

1 Tbsp warm distilled water with 1/4 tsp dye to dissolve more efficiently. Then 1/2 cup 70% isopropyl alcohol. It dries quickly and sets well. Worked like a charm. I used 1500 wet dry for the slurry. That worked like a dream.

Thanks mate! Slurry??
14-02-2019, 12:29 PM
VandoPlaysBass

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bakersdozen

Thanks mate! Slurry??

Wet/dry sandpaper soaked in Tung oil/Tru oil/etc.
16-02-2019, 08:51 PM
wazkelly

Looks great.
19-02-2019, 07:45 PM
VandoPlaysBass

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazkelly

Looks great.

Thank you!