Dswain81

Yeah, I used two-part epoxy as a grainfiller/sealer. I wrote about it on the blog. Just scroll down on the page and you can read about it. FYI: I probably won't be using epoxy as a grainfiller again. It was a lot of work, but the results are really good.

The telecaster is finally done. Progress and finished pics are at my blog: http://telecasterbuild.blogspot.com/ I have another tele in the works; Nashville style (with two chrome neck pickups) and a strat style neck. I'll keep you posted.

The epoxy I used is called "Loctite extra time epoxy." I bought it at Target for 2-3 dollars. It already had the yellow tint to it. It was fairly easy to apply and sand after application. Not to mention, it filled the ashes' grain very well. Thanks for all the comments guys. PS: The control plate is not crooked, must be the picture. Also, I did not build the neck (the neck is from ebay-fender neck for $50). I am going to put my own personallized decal on it, eventually.

Here is a link to a blog that I started that shows the progress of my tele being built. Make sure you start at the bottom of the blog (those are the oldest posts).Right now, I am at the finishing stage, spraying Deft. Feel free to list any likes or dislikes. I am going for a semi-relic look...meaning, I want it to look played, but not necessarily 40 years old. You'll see when I am done. http://telecasterbuild.blogspot.com/

You could always try the "remote control trick." Take a remote control and press the buttons on the remote (while pointing at the pickup). An active pickup will transmit a ringing noise through your amp. However, I would test it with the meter...the remote trick is more for fun.

Hello All, I just won this SG body: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 I was wondering what my neck options are for this body? The dimensions given are: 3" x 2 3/16" x 5/8" . I basically want to use a bolt on neck, but I am not sure which pre-fabbed necks will fit. Will an Epiphone neck (LP or SG) fit? I have used the search button here and Google, but I cannot find the dimensions of the neck pocket for a bolt on SG or LP body. Thanks for any help/info.

Thanks for the feedback guys. All this hard work has really payed off. As far as the bass is concerned, I am going to leave the headstock maple, otherwise, it would probably just look like a big brown blob....it helps break up the color scheme a little bit. I am thinking about sanding off the "Fender" logo and putting on something more original, but in the same style as the 70s p-basses (you know, the curvy words). As far as the finish goes...I am not sure about the oil finishes. I want something with a little more protection and glass-like shine. Plus, I am not sure if the oil finishes will go over the black paint? I like the black sides...gives it kind of a unique look....not to mention the sides are in awful shape...beyond my finishing abilities I'm afraid. I'll post a sample of the Barts in the next few days. Man, they sound soooo good. My crappy little project bass plays and sounds better most basses I've ever played (including old Ricks and the like). The action is super low with no buzz and the tone from those pickups is so warm and deep...and with the treble boost they turn into some serious slappin' tone. I have definetly gotten $300 worth here, thanks to the search button here at PGF!

Holy crap, that is looking awesome! I am not usually a fan of flames painted on anything, but that looks really good. Keep us posted on the progress.

This is my first long post...so I hope you enjoy. My name is David (23) and I have been playing guitar for around 10 years. This P-bass is my first attempt at changing anything on any of my guitars. I have learned a lot by reading this forum/tutorials and I hope I can get enough knowledge to actually contribute to all of the threads that I read on a daily basis. Okay, now to the good stuff... I have been remodeling an old Memphis p-bass that my buddy gave me a few months ago. It played like you would expect a Memphis to play, so I decided I would customize it. It is not done, I just wanted to show my progress so far. I basically wanted to make it look like an old 70s precision bass in good condition. Mods: -ACTIVE Bartolini 8TC pickups with treble boost and cut (and they sound awesome!) $55 -new fender neck (had to re-route neck pocket) $100 -new mighty might pickguard (had to be severely modified) $15 -old school pickup and bridge chrome covers $30 -new chrome knobs/screws/neckplate/pots/jack/(thumbrest not on yet) $45 -new tuners for neck $32 -new string tree $4.50 The original finish was a hideous clown nose red...that had to go. I knew the body was solid wood, but I wasn't sure what was hiding under the paint. I am still not completely sure what kind of wood it is...looks like basswood. Pic before any mods: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y240/dswa...ssbeforepic.jpg Originally I tried to paint the bass a dark red color, but it turned out like crap (I had not discovered this site or ReRanch yet). So, I started sanding. Pic after sanding (you can kind of see some of the darker red paint on the edges of the bass: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y240/dswa...sssandedpic.jpg After it was sanded, I stained the body using some water-based walnut stain and it turned out great. I attempted a black burst that looked awful (I used the "poor man's burst tutorial", but I live near Chicago and had to do it outside, so the wind really messed me up). After sanding off the crappy burst, I decided that I liked the way the walnut top and bottom looked with the black edges. I haven't sprayed the clear yet (have some Deft, as recommended by Maiden in several posts over the past few months). I will probably start that this week. Here are more pics of the precision bass without clearcoat: http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y240/dswa...asspic2copy.jpg http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y240/dswa...asspic6copy.jpg http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y240/dswa...asspic4copy.jpg I am so glad I found this site...I am addicted...can't wait for my first actual build. Updates on the bass coming soon.

This is probably the funniest thread I have ever read here at the PGF. Seriously though, just keep at it until you find the design that you really like and one that will be functional too. Good luck.