The search for enlightenment....
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sloop_john_b
- Rick-a-holic
- Posts: 13843
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:00 am
Ted, thanks again for making my one and only Ric incredibly playable and gorgeous. It was only one project for you, but to me it's a daily joy. I know how all too often, things end up taking much longer to complete than they should, especially when you have a passion for perfection. It can be exhaustive mentally and physically. This is the unseen fruits of your labor, and I for one understand and appreciate it.
If it ain't broke, break it, then fix it.
Here is a little more background about the bass. Based on the damage I found inside the neck, it appears that the bass was dropped and the G side of the headstock hit the floor first. Maybe the strap came off the horn. The impact was bad enough to break the neck and probably the fingerboard, hence the ebony replacement. What was not apparent at first was the neck break. I used heat to remove the fingerboard. All of the laminations were loosened as a result. That included a hidden lamination in the form of a repair on the G side of the neck.
Once it is cleaned up a bit and finished over it won't be noticeable. The break is very clean an only affected the lower section of maple. The walnut stripe stopped the break right at the lamination. The repair will be quite strong because so much of the width of the neck escaped damage. There is something to be said for the strength of laminated necks.
Once it is cleaned up a bit and finished over it won't be noticeable. The break is very clean an only affected the lower section of maple. The walnut stripe stopped the break right at the lamination. The repair will be quite strong because so much of the width of the neck escaped damage. There is something to be said for the strength of laminated necks.
It is funny you should mention re-fins. Also apparent on the body is an attempt to remove the neck from the body using heat. Look here...
Notice the marks that appear to be abrasions? They are actually tiny bubbles in the finish that are perfectly aligned with the grain of the wood. When the wood was heated, the moisture inside boiled off as steam and traveled down the grain which is actually tiny bundles of tubules. When the steam reached the surface it was stopped by the finish which softened and bubbled under the heat and pressure. This wood grain pattern was the result.
Notice the marks that appear to be abrasions? They are actually tiny bubbles in the finish that are perfectly aligned with the grain of the wood. When the wood was heated, the moisture inside boiled off as steam and traveled down the grain which is actually tiny bundles of tubules. When the steam reached the surface it was stopped by the finish which softened and bubbled under the heat and pressure. This wood grain pattern was the result.
I think it can be finished in a transparent color as well. The wood is really in pretty good shape. Dale can make it beautiful again.
Here are some other details. The wood on the face of the neck was damaged and crudely filled in. I applied a thin piece of maple here to repair this very visible area.
A much smaller one had to be applied here. It still needs to be sanded flat.
Here are some other details. The wood on the face of the neck was damaged and crudely filled in. I applied a thin piece of maple here to repair this very visible area.
A much smaller one had to be applied here. It still needs to be sanded flat.