(We now join this RM 1999 restoration already in progress)

[walker]

In measuring the top wing on other 4001s/1999s, I noticed what appeared to be an evolution of sorts in the distance from the bottom of the piece to the apex of the top. A '64 RM measured 5⅛", my '68 measured a solid 5", and a '73 measured 4&15/16". I thought a pattern of diminishing size was established there, but then I measured my '79 4001 JG and it was back up to 5⅛", so there you go.

[teeder]

That's interesting. I like the looks of the high shoulder.

My '93 V63 is 5-3/16

Oh, and I like plan "A" wood.

[s4001]

Fine! You big babies!!! ...

..and your point is?

[walker]

I like the looks of the high shoulder.

It's currently cut to 5½". I gave it a little overage so I could finess it a little when I decide on the measurement to go with. I think I'll go 5⅛" since that's where my original wing was at.

[cassius987]

What plugin am I missing that I can't see the pics? Weird.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

remember the center sections were tapered on the old basses until the skunk came out.

[johnallg]

"Seam?"

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5397/b ... topmed.jpg

Looked like a seam.....

[walker]

Oh! I see what you mean. That's not a seam; that's a ridge left behind by the blade that cut the piece.

I took both bird's eye planks to a guy in the city that did a real nice job prepping the wood for me - making sure they were level & true, 90˚ angles and whatnot. And speaking of new kitchens & interiors and whatnot, this guy (Greg Gurfein) does some really nice work:

Gurfein Woodwork.com

[jps]

Nice work. IIRC, our own Ben Brown does some nice cabinetry, too.

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

those darned planer blades getting chipped by nails, minerals or exploding birdseye maple !!! been there, done that !!!

[Colonel Sanders]

A very interesting project.

But did you consider keeping the original wings, plug the holes and go for a solid color? Jetglo or "Creamglo" as per CS?

There will be very little left of the original RM1999 the way it is going!

Not that there is anything wrong with that!

[walker]

I did consider those options, even the "actual CS bass duplicate", but overall I knew I wanted to return this RM 1999 to it's original glory. I believe George Washington said it best when he remarked to his troops: "I'm on a MISSION, muthahfuckahs!!!"

The parts of the bass I'm replacing are so badly damaged that not only would the bass look sort of messed up if I kept it "as is", it wouldn't play properly or for very long with the body wings separating from the neck wood as they were. I intend to play this bass - a LOT. It would be pointless (for me, at least) to own an instrument just to keep it in a display case somewhere. The percentage of new wood going into the bass isn't a factor that I feel compromises the bass' integrity or validity as being an RM 1999. And once I'm done, it will be more whole and closer to it's original state than it was before I replaced the damaged areas.

On that note, here's how body wing A is looking now that it's been contoured all nicey-nice like.
I also brought the back end height down to 5⅛".

[Kopfjaeger]

Nice job Mark!! Looking great!! Once again, I applaud you on the huge undertaking you have embarked on to bring this fine instrument back to life! Keep the fotos coming please!!

Sepp

[jps]

...The percentage of new wood going into the bass isn't a factor that I feel compromises the bass' integrity or validity as being an RM 1999. And once I'm done, it will be more whole and closer to it's original state than it was before I replaced the damaged areas.

This is common practice with some of the most desirable cars in the world so it shouldn't it be an issue with a bass guitar.

[s4001]

Awesome.
Also true story about George Washington. I was there, I heard it.