ArnieZ Posted May 13, 2022 Share Posted May 13, 2022 VERY IMPRESSED!! arniez 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slingblader Posted May 14, 2022 Author Share Posted May 14, 2022 Well, I didn't start polishing today as planned, but I did get the yard mowed before it rains tomorrow. So, I've got that going for me. I did, however, get my work area set up for polishing. All the components have been already been buffed on the buffing arbor, but need a final polish. For the polishing process I use a small auto detailing polisher along with 3m Perfect It polishing compounds and polishing pads. It works great and it give a really glossy, deep shine. The problem is that it's incredible messy, so I keep trying to find better ways to shield the spatter. I'm happy to say that all the time I spent in my youth building forts didn't go to waste. Welcome to the He-Man Guitar Polisher's Club. #LOOTHING 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthes Posted May 14, 2022 Share Posted May 14, 2022 I should have a pic or two to send ya within the next 24 hours or so…. 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topekatj Posted May 14, 2022 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Back to the back of the bass for a second What’s the purpose of the narrow rectangular cavity that’s visible in this photo? Thanks 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthes Posted May 14, 2022 Share Posted May 14, 2022 7 hours ago, topekatj said: Back to the back of the bass for a second What’s the purpose of the narrow rectangular cavity that’s visible in this photo? Thanks 2 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slingblader Posted May 14, 2022 Author Share Posted May 14, 2022 9 hours ago, cmatthes said: I should have a pic or two to send ya within the next 24 hours or so…. 😉 Oh goody! Is this what I think it is? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slingblader Posted May 14, 2022 Author Share Posted May 14, 2022 8 hours ago, topekatj said: Back to the back of the bass for a second What’s the purpose of the narrow rectangular cavity that’s visible in this photo? Thanks That cavity will hold 2 9v batteries if needed for active electronics. I put a passive circuit in this bass, but I used my standard control cavity template. Here is what's in it now: Here is the same cavity in another bass with an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp installed. Butt yeah, you can totally put your weed in there if need be. 6 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a.bandini Posted May 14, 2022 Share Posted May 14, 2022 You have the best workshop on the planet. And you make gorgeous guitars and basses. If I were 40 I'd ask to become your apprentice. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slingblader Posted May 15, 2022 Author Share Posted May 15, 2022 Wow, that was a long afternoon/evening/night. I got through 3 levels of polishing on the necks and bodies. I'm beat. Tomorrow, I'll do a final cleanup and wipe down and a quick coat of wax on all of them. Then it's on to assembly and setup over the next few days. Fingers crossed, it looks like I should make my deadline. Here are a few pictures at the end of the polishing. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slingblader Posted May 15, 2022 Author Share Posted May 15, 2022 6 hours ago, a.bandini said: You have the best workshop on the planet. And you make gorgeous guitars and basses. If I were 40 I'd ask to become your apprentice. Wow, thank you. I'm still learning, myself... so not sure how much you'd get out of being my apprentice. Although you could help me to find my damn pencil or ruler, or glasses, or whatever else I can't find at the moment. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topekatj Posted May 15, 2022 Share Posted May 15, 2022 You must have a shee-it load of Tele pickups and hardware tee’d up — are you recruiting locals for a mini assembly line? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slingblader Posted May 16, 2022 Author Share Posted May 16, 2022 22 hours ago, topekatj said: You must have a shee-it load of Tele pickups and hardware tee’d up — are you recruiting locals for a mini assembly line? You bet I do. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slingblader Posted May 16, 2022 Author Share Posted May 16, 2022 I made some more decent progress today. I started off by performing a very light fret level, crown and polish. The frets gleam like jewels now. I also applied a light coat of carnauba wax to the bodies and necks. After that I installed the tuners and string guides. This evening I assembled the control plates. Here are a few pictures of today's progress. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
specialk Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 Beautiful! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G Man Posted May 16, 2022 Share Posted May 16, 2022 Beautiful work! I particularly like the serial # on Dad's Buck Owens Tele, very nice touch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slingblader Posted May 16, 2022 Author Share Posted May 16, 2022 1 hour ago, G Man said: Beautiful work! I particularly like the serial # on Dad's Buck Owens Tele, very nice touch. Hey thanks! I had a slight panic attack the other day when I thought I put the wrong date on it... The date on the headstock is fine, it's the date that I posted above for my deadline that is wrong. I meant to say May 21, not 20. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slingblader Posted May 17, 2022 Author Share Posted May 17, 2022 A little more assembly progress tonight. I made sure that every hole was chamfered and redrilled to help avoid chip out with the lacquer. I also use Johnson paste wax for the ferrules and all screws. I bought one of those ferrule installation tools from Stewmac a while back. It's surprisingly helpful and does a great job on these. The other end of the tool is tapered and is perfect for installing press in tuner bushings. All done. Got bridges, pickups and strap buttons all mounted tonight as well. More soon. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew816 Posted May 17, 2022 Share Posted May 17, 2022 YIPPIE!!!! Man these look fantastic!! And the bass control cavity template with the built in battery holders is genius as well. Great work as always!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gorch Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 That looks ridiculously good! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biz Prof Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 This thread calls for a sampling of Buckeroos: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoogieMKIIA Posted May 18, 2022 Share Posted May 18, 2022 2 hours ago, Biz Prof said: This thread calls for a sampling of Buckeroos: Not quite Suffragette City. Wonder if the lyrics had the same meaning back then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slingblader Posted May 19, 2022 Author Share Posted May 19, 2022 Last night I finished the assembly and initial setup process. It feels good to bring this project to the finish line. Overall, I'm very pleased with the result. Here are a few pictures while still "on the bench". By the way, the protective plastic is still on the pickguards. I'll take some better photos today or tomorrow and get them posted. 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 2 hours ago, slingblader said: Last night I finished the assembly and initial setup process. It feels good to bring this project to the finish line. Overall, I'm very pleased with the result. Here are a few pictures while still "on the bench". By the way, the protective plastic is still on the pickguards. I'll take some better photos today or tomorrow and get them posted. Outstanding work! They really came out looking fantastic. And I bet they sound every bit as good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biz Prof Posted May 19, 2022 Share Posted May 19, 2022 2 hours ago, slingblader said: I'm realizing that I really need one of these. Seriously. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slingblader Posted May 19, 2022 Author Share Posted May 19, 2022 6 hours ago, Biz Prof said: I'm realizing that I really need one of these. Seriously. LOL, thanks. I'll tell you this much, if I do another one of these I'll likely farm out the finish work to @Stike the next time. These look good, but they were an utter PITA, especially using nitro. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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