A TB-4 Build whilst a BG-46 dries.

[wazkelly]

Wow, I know 1200 is quite savage and also very wary when using 1500 too. Sounds like the level of finish thickness couldn't take much wet sanding?

I only bought the Micro Mesh Guitar Kit set that starts at 4000 and on the Swampy Tele alternated between it and if not cutting enough reverted back to 2000 (can be bought at Autobarn and maybe Supercheap too).

On the current MMB-4 build it has had a couple of 1200 wet sanding sessions done after every 2nd coat and just did a 1500 session earlier tonight. Still plenty of finish and no bare timber which surprised me as the last few coats were a 50;50 blend with turps? Maybe the poly is softer than Tru Oil? Agree it would have added too much green tinge on the beast. Makes you wonder if rattle can white knight clear acrylic would be any better?

[ozzbike]

Waz....yeah I was surprised too. I had done 9 coats of poly and 6 coats of tru oil respectively.

Today after a restain where needed.... done yesterday....and the required sand to 240 grit.....first soak coat of Tru Oil reapplied.....wiped as much into it in the bare places and then wiped any excess off. Final strokes with the grain. I am liking the shine at the first coat.

[Kick]

I am liking it to Ozz!

[ozzbike]

I am liking it to Ozz!

Why thank you good sir. 😎

I have to say the kit itself is the best standard of finish of any PBG kit I have had so far. So much credit to Adam for sourcing such a great kit.

Really nice build....get yourselves one. 😎

[ozzbike]

Many things have been occurring...job hunting...still.

When you can't sleep and it is 0300 am what do you do? You get out of bed...do a fret levelling....neck to body fit and string your bass.

This "Thunderbird" style kit ( ) has been so much fun to build and was the best quality starting point of any PBG kit I have made so far. Well done to Ads for sourcing them...and well done to the factory for making some good stuff.

I do have a router...Aldi one....but I have not had any practice yet....so the control cavity turned out to be too tiny for four great big GOTOH pots......so I made a new wiring harness using all the original bits...even the green capacitor. (Oh...the kit had 2 x B capacitors and 1 x A capacitor...so I swapped one B out so I had 2 x A for the volumes and the single B for the Tone.)

The control cavity cover was cut, drilled and countersunk in mirror image....so no shiny side out....but it is against my tubby belly so who cares. Yes...fully shielded of course and so is the nice shiny front side of the control cavity cover that is now facing inwards.

The three point bridge is so hard to set the string height on. I have the neck now wedged with 2 x pieces of business card under the front of the neck lifting the headstock and lowering the strings down. Works and the string height is spot on.

The pickups come wired for splitting with red and black, silver and green wires in them. I soldered them in pairs and just used them as a single humbucker. Whilst not as thumping as active pickups these sound nice for chinese ones. I may chase some Seymour Duncan Soapbar Basslines I think.

Left to do is the fitting of PABLOPEPPERS great truss rod cover...thanks again.

And the printing and sticking of this Guitars Logo on the pickguard...."The Downunder Bird"....an Emu...slightly stylized of course.

Love making this one and need to drift back to the BG-46 and finish her off now.

Changed....control knobs to Bell type ones and nut to a graphite nut...input jack to switchcraft....jack socket to recessed Tele style one....sorry WAZKELLY I left it with the lip on the surface and did not recess it right in. Love the look though. I have straplock connectors to go on....black to match the other metal.

[FrankenWashie]

Slick work Ozz! Very Nice!

[ozzbike]

Thanks Frank....I like it.

[billb]

Lovely work!
It really is the right shape for a bass

[ozzbike]

Pretty comfy....bit top heavy...maybe fit the straplock buttons and strap her on.

[wazkelly]

Looks great Ozzie. Love the colour scheme.

Best position for the front strap button is the top forward most neck bolt hole or drill a hole dead centre of the neck plate and mount it there. The sloping top edge is similar to that on an Explorer and does not help with holding it's head up off the ground or keeping a strap attached either which forces you to installing strap locks.

Cheers, Waz