Benj and his PBG-1

[Benj]

OK so I'm home alone with the new toy. Pics below of the unveiling. Looks awesome, a couple of tiny little filler holes (i think) both of which look like they go straight through the body, but are hardly noticeable as they are around 1mm in diameter. not sure if you can see on the photos but they are just to the top right of the bridge pickup and just below-right of the bottom left bridge hole.

I'm not overly fussed about them and I'll see how they show after sanding. Now I need some guidance on a) where to put the strap button holes and how to line up the tuning pegs, as the video I watched had a straight line to gauge from. Gonna get started on sanding now, might be awhile...

[pablopepper]

For the strap button, check the picture. I assume the forward most area would work best, but if you're doing a test build you can check the balance with a strap. Or, you could use straplocks.

As for tuners, put them in the holes and do the nut up finger tight and then play with them until they look just right. Then all you gotta do is mark where the screws go with a pencil or a marker. They don't have to be perfectly straight up and down, as long as they don't interfere with each other you're golden.

[Benj]

OK so after a boatload of sanding, drilling and test fitting over the weekend, I am ready to roll.

Really happy with the fit of the neck and the looks of the body. Some of the grain is just awesome, especially for Basswood.

I received the Wudtone today, cant wait to get cracking on it, but I just wanted to know, if I am doing a colourless neck finish but I want the face of my headstock to be white, whats the best way to do this?

Do I do the face first, then the neck? The other way round? Both at the same time?

Love to hear your thoughts, cheers in advance!

[Gavin1393]

Lightest transparent colours first....always!
This helps you cover up the mistakes with the darker solid colours!

[Benj]

Thanks Gav, much appreciated. So best to do the neck until I’m happy with it, maybe allow a few extra days after to let it really set, then mask off the sides of the headstock (with blue painters tape of course) and go at it with the Olympic girl as I would do with the body?

[Gavin1393]

Yes! Reckon DB will concur....since it was he who taught me that rule in the first place!

[Benj]

Managed to get the empty office unit next to my work to use as a dust-free wudtone working area! Put on the first layer of neck finish as well as one coat of body finish (Olympic Girl). The neck looks beautiful, still sticky but its only been 5 hours. The body literally just looks like ive wet it, it hasnt gone white at all, but I'm sure that will build up with multiple coats over the next week or so.
Quick Q, Im in an office block, so its insulated, but the place where I'm storing them isnt heated/air-conned, how long should they take between coats?
Cheers
EDIT: And I'm in North Perth, so it's bloody cold, as im sure that makes a difference.

[Brendan]

Benj - my bass is outside in a tin shed out Hillarys way and 2 days break between coats seems to be fine. Shouldn't be any colder in North Perth in an insulated office block, but I'd still go the 2 days...

[Benj]

I have got 2 coats on the neck, looking fab. Also got 2 coats on the body, however…….. before I go any further, (and I really hope I haven’t balls’d this up), I was given 2 bottles of white, looking very similar, one labelled ‘Coloured Base Olympic’ and the other labelled ‘White Base’.

Is there an order to these two? I really hope I haven’t corked it up…