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sanded through binding

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 9:28 am
by radapaw
I've just picked up a 4001 in pretty rough shape for a great price. In addition to trying to turn it into an 8-string at some point (now poorly filled, but stable), mr.thelastguy also found the binding uncomfortable and sanded it off....

so if you all were in my shoes, what would you do? (other suggestions are welcome)

-route binding ledges for oversized maple 'binding' to replace the missing maple and shape to 4001s
-use wood filler (suggestions welcome) and build up the missing wood, and again convert to S
-sand more and scale down the body (be it bound or unbound)
-filler touchups and sanding and get closer to a c64s
-leave it, stop sanding, and play more... :lol: yeah right, who am I kidding.

Re: sanded through binding

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 10:46 am
by collin
Best option at that point is remove & replace the body wings. Is that too big an undertaking?

Most of those options are bodges, in my opinion. Best of them would be routing for maple binding, and convert to ā€œSā€ model. But as a 4001, I assume your bass has deluxe inlays?

Re: sanded through binding

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 11:27 am
by wim
If it's a good player and the sound is good, leave it
You'll never have to worry about scratches etc

Re: sanded through binding

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 4:57 pm
by radapaw
Considering the major 'work' done on the headstock as well, I don't think I can justify new wings in this case. I didn't pay much, and it isn't ever going to be worth much.... which is a great excuse to go a little 'modded' I figure. I agree these are bodged solutions, personally I'm leaning towards a c64s type body because I'd like to avoid a bondobacker (although I keep wondering if I'd forget if it was covered in British racing green :mrgreen: ). While drooling over some 4004's I was toying with the idea of adding droptops/backs to the wings as well.

ehhhhhh it's an ok player and the sound is no better than my stock 4001's..... although it is VERY comfortable.

Re: sanded through binding

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 5:30 pm
by aceonbass
I don't think any 4001 neck will handle the tension of four additional strings. This project will be time and money wasted. A 4003 with the the newer truss rod system is a much better candidate for multi string conversions.

Re: sanded through binding

Posted: Thu Mar 21, 2019 5:48 pm
by collin
aceonbass wrote:I don't think any 4001 neck will handle the tension of four additional strings. This project will be time and money wasted. A 4003 with the the newer truss rod system is a much better candidate for multi string conversions.
Weren't the 4005-8 models built with the old style truss rods? Not saying it wouldn't work, but I believe there is a precedent for adding strings with the old style truss rod.

Re: sanded through binding

Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2019 8:13 am
by radapaw
aceonbass wrote:I don't think any 4001 neck will handle the tension of four additional strings.
The previous owner appears to have tried, failed, and filled the holes before I got here... I have no intention of returning it to a hairpin 8-string.

Re: sanded through binding

Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 11:56 am
by cassius987
wim wrote:If it's a good player and the sound is good, leave it
You'll never have to worry about scratches etc
+1

Find a way to make it comfortable for you and play the heck out of it.

Re: sanded through binding

Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 9:30 am
by radapaw
hmmm I didn't realize the modern 4003 body had shrunk so much.....hmmmmm..... https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ricken ... s.1016471/ . Even with the binding sanded off this project looks particularity fat-winged.

Re: sanded through binding

Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 8:46 am
by iiipopes
cassius987 wrote:
wim wrote:If it's a good player and the sound is good, leave it
You'll never have to worry about scratches etc
+1

Find a way to make it comfortable for you and play the heck out of it.
+1

Re: sanded through binding

Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 9:22 am
by jps
What finish is on the bass, currently? If MG is the body figuring nice enough to keep the bass MG? If so, a nice, contrasting wood binding would look nice, such as walnut, or flame koa. Just an idea to "ramp up" the eye-appeal.