Brendan's GPB-4B

[Brendan]

So...
Having finished a few builds lately - have decided to go back to a first love - P Basses - from a bass that I thought I couldn't love - to being my favourite style. Having built two so far - one (now) fretless , the other an old style - the VP (Vintage P Bass) - I have been keeping an eye on the new ash and zebrawood basses coming through and thinking - one day...

Well - one day is here... Circumstances worked out and I have scored a nice GPB-4B... Now - first world problems - how do you think I should finish it?

Original plans were to go black - but looking at the body - I think that would be criminal...

Now I've done red and nude (see above). Any other brave ideas?

[FrankenWashie]

You could do a Naim and Shou Sugi Ban?

[Bakersdozen]

Looks like a lovely candidate Brendan. If you do shou sugi ban, please film yourself doing it for us all to see

[Brendan]

Not sure I could pull it off - not really my thing. Looking at Ozzbike's GPB-4, maybe have to go nude again - that grain pattern (and flame!!!) is too nice to hide.

BTW - these GPB's - from what I've seen - need a good sand - not because there are tool marks, but because they have been sanded so smooth that I think the stain won't take! They are beautiful pieces of wood!

[Rossc0]

could do a nice 60's sunburst, with a translucent nitro, would leave most of the grain visible

[Fretworn]

Japan Black stain to get the black you want but keep the grain?

[ozzbike]

Not sure I could pull it off - not really my thing. Looking at Ozzbike's GPB-4, maybe have to go nude again - that grain pattern (and flame!!!) is too nice to hide.

BTW - these GPB's - from what I've seen - need a good sand - not because there are tool marks, but because they have been sanded so smooth that I think the stain won't take! They are beautiful pieces of wood!

Brendan,

The wood is not super smooth...but how much sanding will be determined by if you a using timber mate....and in a big way the finish you intend to use....and the nature of the finish you seek....gloss with no grain...gloss with grain...semi gloss etc.

I found that the use of the steel wool to apply the Feast Watson Buffing Oil with 0000 grade steel wool and the Cabinetmakers wax with the same take the edge off the roughness as well.

Good luck with your choices....so many options the creative people of this place are coming up with.

OOOh...watch the Entwistle pickups section of the PBG site. I can highly recommend the PBXN (Neodymium) P Bass pickups. Great sound at a wonderful price.

[Brendan]

Thanks guys - still torn - but may go with a modern take on the VP - loving the look of the Sandbergs and have some individual bridges in black.

Thoughts - stagger the bridges - black pickguard and hardware - Sandberg styling on the pickguard. Add a thumb rest in black and may have a deal.

Ozz - love the idea of the Entwistles - have some ToneRiders in the VP - would be good to get something hot for the new build.

[wazkelly]

Could look good with a Chemical Wash stain like I did on my Swampy Tele.

[FrankenWashie]

Thanks guys - still torn - but may go with a modern take on the VP - loving the look of the Sandbergs and have some individual bridges in black.

Thoughts - stagger the bridges - black pickguard and hardware - Sandberg styling on the pickguard. Add a thumb rest in black and may have a deal.

Ozz - love the idea of the Entwistles - have some ToneRiders in the VP - would be good to get something hot for the new build.

I want to do Babich individual bridges in black on my IB-5, but at $80.00 a pop I have to save my pennies for a bit!