JB4 - First kit

[emuflats]

Thanks a ton Dark, was worried about using water / getting into the bridge holes etc but I will be very careful. If you & Waz are using this method - I am on board with that!
I have seen some using TO as the "wet" & thought I would be wasting a lot.

[wazkelly]

Hi mate, you can use TO as the lube for a wet sanding application, best with 1200 or 1500 grit but I have gone full circle and reckon that method should only be done probably once after 8 - 12 full strength coats. Wet sanding the TO slurry back in on itself can produce an uneven layering effect that shows up later when doing the finer grit sandings as you get nearer to final polish.
These days i would suggest adding a couple of drops of turps to TO about to be applied from coats 10 or 12 and above as the full strength thick ones should have already done their grain filling job by now and you are then concentrating on adding more smooth layers which end up being sacrificed in the final polish session.
The reason you need 20 or more coats is that you may lose half of them through the various wet sanding stages.
If you are worried about too much water on finished surface i usually have an old hand towel that is used to wipe off excess. Also best to check everything after a few passes of the sanding block and before it dries out as that can then start dragging crud all over the surface and introduce scratches.
Sounds complicated but quite easy. Just remember to check the paper after a few passes to see if build up needs to be washed off by dipping in the water and detergent solution.
Cheers, Waz

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[emuflats]

Mate, thankyou so much - that helps a lot. Great advice that I will give a good crack!

[emuflats]

Ok, headstock done & so far 5 coats of TO.



After removing the yellow "Frog tape" that I used to cover the fretboard, I am left with some stains... they are not tacky to the touch, or have left visible residue - it looks more like a type of grease stain. Will the lemon oil hide this?



Any suggestions to clean this up are much appreciated.

[emuflats]

[FrankenWashie]

The lemon oil should lift that off. Dab some onto a lint free cloth and give the stains a good rub, then treat the board with it. I think it should come good from there.

[emuflats]

Cheers FW, will give it a go on the weekend

[Glowbot]

That orange color is pretty sweet! That's going to be a sharp looking instrument!

[emuflats]

Well gang, she is finally finished. For my first build I am pretty damn proud of myself. I only started learning bass at the start of the year on my acoustic Taylor Mini Bass, & am totally hooked.

This whole process was a massive learning curve for me, sanding wood, staining, oiling & soldering was completely new to me. I have all your awesome brains/forum posts & youtube to thank for all things related to assembly & setup.

Thoroughly enjoyed everything involved, & feel the satisfaction of job completion. Now I just have to practice....Oh, & get started on my new kit....

Will take some better photos when the sun shines.

[robin]

Nice looking bass Emu. You can be proud of that.