A venture into the unknown...

[ChrizK]

It is surprisingly easy (if you are careful) and looks amazing afterwards. The fretboard has now been olied and looks exactly as I hoped, ebony black with the merest hint of variation in colout that makes it look like real ebony. I will post photos once I have finished oiling the neck and fiddling with the headstock.

[FrankenWashie]

Can we get a post oiling shot? Very intrigued by this.

[ChrizK]

Day ? (well I've spent most evenings working on this so let's call it Week 2!)

I couldn't wait so started oiling the neck (never did have any patience...). It is coming up very well. I put on 2-3 coats of BLO and then knock it back and start again. The wood of the neck was SO thirsty, I suspect that it has been kiln dried. Felt validated in my descision to oil the neck as a result.



The neck is now so slick and smooth you feel like you could shred on it (pity its for a bass). I oiled the fretboard too but not so much, I don't want this shiny but rather with just a slight sheen.



My only disappointment is that I had not realised that the neck joint would become so visible with the change in grain. However, this is mellowing in with additional coats and I am coming to terms with it - it is honest and displays the construction. There are more coats to go yet and more sanding back... so this may be less apparent at the finish but either way I'm OK with it.



Today, I start on the construction of a small spray booth/screen so that I can start spraying the body (my wife, a methodical person, tells I should have done this first but where's the fun in that?).

I have not been in a hurry because it is freezing here (Ireland), so not the weather for spraying (especially as I have to do this in my garage with the door open!).

So, a mixed week, but on balance a good one. Came up with a left-field plan for the scratchplate which I will be keen to share (if it works - if it doesn't, there may just be an ominous silence...

[ChrizK]

Week 3

So far attempts to create an headstock veneer as per the example at the beginning of this thread. Firstly, I couldn't find ebony in a large enough sheet without it being too thick (I have no thicknesser). So... I tried fibreboard (a la Gibson). This was thin enough and available in the right size but is evil stuff to work with! I now have the beginnings of a headstock veneer but I don't like it.



Once finished, the material will still require several coats of black and clear lacquer to make it look anything like I am hoping for so it is back to the drawing board...

[Trevor Davies]

Hi Chriz,
Not sure why you don't like it!

I'm going to try a similar head stock thing with my TB-4 kit - which I pulled out the box yesterday. I'm going to try using 3 ply pick guard material. I tested the thickness and should still be able to fit the tuners properly. I briefly contemplated routing the headstock pattern on using a template guide (still a possible backup).

FWIW I had success with 1-ply pick guard material on the headstock of my AG-2 kit.

[ChrizK]

I have found it very dificult to shape accurately as the material is very hard and has a tendency to burr at the edges. I am to try again with a wood veneer ebonised to match the fretboard. I'll post pictures.

I like the pick-guard solution too , I would go for single ply black (the Bass is going to be 'The Blackbird' so the white in a 3-ply would stand a littel too much and detract from my headstock logo plan.

[Trevor Davies]

I have found it very dificult to shape accurately as the material is very hard and has a tendency to burr at the edges. I am to try again with a wood veneer ebonised to match the fretboard. I'll post pictures.

I like the pick-guard solution too , I would go for single ply black (the Bass is going to be 'The Blackbird' so the white in a 3-ply would stand a littel too much and detract from my headstock logo plan.

Hi Chriz, you could get plain black pickguard in 3-ply. That may give you the thickness you are after! I found the 1-ply very thin.