travismoore

Thanks, I will drop them a line. Hmm, maybe what I experienced is normal then? When the surface is sticky like that how do you deal with it? Do you just carry on with the finish process?

Here is the link for the Epoxy I have, there is a spec sheet there but to be honest I am not sure what I am looking for. If it is some issue with the epoxy and you have a recommendation of another one let me know. It's getting colder here all the time and I don't want to miss my window to get this finished.

So something dawned on me turning this week, I realised that the excess epoxy that I left in the pot had dried perfectly and it was only the epoxy that was on the bass that didn't dry correctly. So I am wondering if its possible I have a wrong type of epoxy? I assumed that there was only one type of epoxy, was a wrong in that assumption? It's confusing to me that it would dry in the pot but not on the wood, it does mention that its find for use on wood though on the bottle. The other thing I was wondering about is, could temperature be an issue? We are heading into winter here in the UK so whilst during the day the heating is on and its warm it can get pretty cold over night. My other question is how do you go about measuring by weight, do you need a small digital scale or something? Sorry for these possibly quite stupid questions. Cheers, Travis

Update! Ok so I've had a bit of a set back and I need a little advice. So basically the epoxy never really dried... I think the mix I did was a bit off and their wasn't enough hardener in there. So I've had to sand it right back which was painful because it was just gunging up the sand paper because it hadn't set properly. I did explore other options for stripping it back but none of them worked unfortunately. So now I am approaching it again and I've done a test piece this time around but even though I've left it to dry 48 hrs as it says its still sticky. The only thing I can assume is that I am still not being precise enough about the measurements, its kind of tricky because of the consistency of epoxy makes it hard to poor. I think I am going to get hold of some shot glass size plastic glasses so I can measure it out more precisely. I can only assume that's the issue but if you guys think I could be doing something else wrong please let me know. Cheers, Travis

Hey Protheta, Thanks for the reply, its actually been about 4 years since I got the bass (going to uni for two years mean't I had to leave it sitting). It is actually epoxy, as Demonx suggested to seal/grain fill before i prime it for painting. I am going to make sure I have some sort of hanging situation set-up for when I prime, paint and clear coat it. I would love to keep it natural but there is a rather large crack in the front of the body (you can't really see it well in that image) and as its for resale I am going paint it. It's going to be solid white with black hardware. Thanks for the tips, I will be sure to refer to them when I am doing the clear coat. Any tips on sanding the epoxy before I do the primer coat? Cheers, Travis

Hey, Just a quick update and another question. I've started with the epoxy, I unfortunately had to do the back and front separately as I don't have anywhere to hang the bass (working on sorting it for when It needs to be sprayed). I know this will probably creating some extra sanding for me but seen as this is my first time working with epoxy I knew sanding was going to have to happen anyway. As for my question(s) I am not sure how many coats I should do, is one ok? Also when it comes to sanding what grit should I use, I was thinking 600? Also should I dry sand or wet sand? I am just a little paranoid about sanding through the epoxy. Cheers, Travis

Thanks for the info guys I really appreciate it I will go for the rattle can. I am always really glad this forum exists because no matter how much you read up on things on the net someone with experience can always tell you a better way of doing it. Also thanks for the safety tips. With the can how many coats would I need approximately? I am trying to get the best finish I can really as I will be selling the bass on after its done and I want to make sure its hard wearing/professional. Don't worry Prostheta my step dad will be doing the spraying as he has experience with that sort of thing, I honestly wouldn't trust myself or at the very least I would be doing a lot of tests ha.

Thanks for the link, I was trying to find ones that I could spray using an airbrush rather than a rattle can. I did a little search for PPG but it seems I can only find 5 litres which is overkill for one bass. I will keep looking and hopefully I can find something smaller. Edit: Found some, looks like its referred to as a "Clear Coat Lacquer" in the UK......

Just ordered most of the materials to get started on this, I just have a quick question. I am having trouble finding 2-part Catalyzed Polyurethane within the UK, Can anyone direct me to a good place to get hold of some and what brand is good to go with?

Hey, Sorry for the slow reply I finally have time to look at this again. I was thinking about this a lot and when I had these pick-ups in a bass previously (some years ago) the output was definitely normal/on par with my other basses. I am plugging it into an instrument jack input which has a "guitar line in" boost switch which is on, so the input coming from the bass must be low. I have also run it through my amp and I have to push the volume to double(or more than that) to equal the same level as my other basses. You mentioned millivolts, how would I go about measuring that? Then at least I can confirm/rule out if the pick-ups are just low output. Thanks again for you help

Thanks for taking the time to give your opinion Demonx it is much appreciated. Just to double check I understand, the process would go something like this: Double check sanding - 400 Grit Wax & Greese Remover Epoxy Sealer - 1 Coat? Clear Coat - 2-part Catalyzed Polyurethane - 1 Coat? (instead of Primer) White - 2-3 Coats - Auto Air - Only sand if not smooth Hot Rod Sparkle - 2-3 Coats - Auto Air - Don't sand will mess up finish Clear Coat - 2-part Catalyzed Polyurethane - 2-3 Coats Sanding - 2000, 3000 (start from 1000 if needed) Polishing - Air Polisher - Waffle Pad - 3M Polish A couple more questions if that's ok. What clear and epoxy sealer would you recommend? When you say a tack layer, do you mean just a very thin layer of the colour?

Thanks Prostheta I will certainly drop him a line. Its good to be back here and to work on some of my projects that have been frustratingly sitting around. I am hoping to finally get my bass build completed as well

Hey all, I am just digging up this post because this bass has been sitting around at home while I've been at university and I finally have time to finish it. As always though I need some advice. I have done a bunch of reading up on refinishing but I definitely need some clarification before I buy all the stuff. Currently the bass is all masked up and sanded to a 400 grit, my step dad has air brushing stuff so that is covered. Before I prime the bass do I need to fill the grain first? Will the pores in the wood effect the finish? **Will be using tack cloths to clean dust etc in between coats Current Process: Double check sanding - 400 Grit Wax & Greese Remover Primer - 1k - light coat to seal - Sand to 600 Grit White - 3-4 Light Coats - Auto Air - Only sand if not smooth Hot Rod Sparkle - 3-4 Coats - Auto Air - Don't sand will mess up finish Clear Coat - 2-part Catalyzed Polyurethane - 3 Heavy Coats Sanding - 1000-1500, 3000, 5000 grit Polishing - Foam Pad - Liquid Ice 3 passes/coats - Micro Fibre Cloth This is sort of what I think the process should be from my research but any input would be massively helpful. Cheers, Travis

Ok thanks for the info, I haven't grounded to the strings or anything though just shielded. The LG/SG was actually a typo in my first post they are LJ/SJ I just need to learn to proof read stuff before I post it. Is the next port of call to test the pots are giving the full 25K as you had me do before?

Thanks for the responses guys, You where right about the hum Curtisa I sit with my bass right near my PC tower, I have tested it an if I angle the bass toward it or move it closer the noise increases. If I stand up or go anywhere else in my room there is no noise. So that's one problem solved. I have tested it with a brand new battery and it is the same. Just measured and the E string is about 2mm from the pick-ups I think any closer and the string would hit the pick-up and create issues. It originally had Seymour Duncan's in but it was like that when I bought it and I can't see a model number on them so not sure if they had a hot output. That being said my fender is now much quieter than my other basses and it used to be about the same. If I use my audio interface as an example for most of my basses I put the volume to about 12 o'clock - 2pm area before it starts clipping. Since putting the EMG's in I can put my audio interface at full volume (5pm) and no matter how hard I play it won't clip. Can't see any markings on the EMG's to indicate they are lower output they are the standard LJ & SJ set. These are the pots I got: http://www.thomann.de/gb/allparts_poti_25k.htm They came in "allparts" packaging but actually say "alpha" on the back but definitely state they are 25K I was thinking about it there is another possibility for what is causing the issue, I had some issues with the battery compartment that I put in. Only after I made the hole in the bass for it I realised that the way it was designed doesn't allow for the battery to actually clip into the battery clip when you close it. Anyway in order to get it to work I had to hack things a little .... I used two parts of a bent up paper clip to make terminals and padded the inside of the box at the back so it would push up against them. Then soldered the wires directly to the paper clip. Maybe not the most elegant solution but I had been working on the bass that day from when I woke up until around midnight so seemed like a good idea at the time. Is it possible this is restricting the flow of current? Picture:

I didn't have the insulation in their previously but added it because there was so much noise, Unfortunately there is still a lot of noise. The input is fired up as you described, I guess I will have to get out my multimeter and test the pots so see if they are working correctly

I am back again, I have finally got to putting in the new pots but I am still having some issues unfortunately. I ended up replacing all three pots because I was having a lot of issues finding pots to match the EMG ones. Anyway while I am getting sound and the tone pot etc is working fine the output volume seems to be greatly reduced. I would say its 3/4-1/2 what it used to be with the original passive pick-ups. Seems a bit strange as surely an active bass should have a louder output? I can only assume that maybe when the volume pots are at full they aren't at 25K as they should be? I am going to test them but I wanted to get an opinion first just in case it is actually something else? Current Wiring: I also have another issue, I have shielded the bass with copper tape but I think I may have done something incorrectly as I am still getting a large amount of noise. I insulted the control cavity, cavity cover, pick-up cavitys and then ran wires between them. Only thing I didn't insulate is the batter compartment, I thought that would be ok as its a plastic container? Here is a picture:

Ok sure thing I will replace the pot and insulate the cavity. Thanks so much again for your help, it is much appreciated.

Sorry I mean't to post a picture in my previous post I have it all wired up again like so: http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c47/travis_moore/DSC_0157_zpse260b692.jpg Used my multimeter and got the following results: Neck Volume Pot Full - Top & Centre - 24.8 - Centre & Bottom - 0.0 Neck Volume Pot Off - Top & Centre - 0.0 - Centre & Bottom - 24.9 Bridge Volume Pot Full - Top & Centre - 24.9 - Centre & Bottom - 0.0 Bridge Volume Pot Off - Top & Centre - 0.0 - Centre & Bottom - 24.8 * Tried them at various in between volumes and it seemed to be consistent or from what I could tell. 5. Did same test on tone pot and got similar results 6. Input jack also read around 25k at Min & Max volumes 7. Checked earth from input jack sleeve lug at all points including inside pick-up clip. All read 0 8. Check signal wire at all points, all read 0 9. Checked from sleeve of lead to red wire of pick-up clip and was reading the same voltage as battery (8.25 ish) After all this as everything seemed to be functioning I wired up the bass to test it and to my surprise the bridge pick-up was working so I decided to mess with the pots a bit and I realised the the neck pick-up was working but the volume pot would ramp up to a point then all volume would cut out. I also found that the volume for the bridge p/u will get loud then quite then loud as you turn it. I put some switch cleaner in all the pots because one was also a bit scratchy and that seems to have fixed the neck p/u volume issue as it is now nice and smooth. The bridge p/u volume however still has the same issue. The tone pot is also functioning just fine but I am a small amount of hum when its all the way off and a lot of hum when its all the way on. There is no grounding to the body or the bridge at the moment though so I take it that may be the issue? Should I ground to the body and bridge and if so what pots/wires should I attach them to? Here is a video of the issue: http://youtu.be/x5_GvUsiTP8 Thanks again for all the help

Finally got a chance to look at this wiring again, with my new multimeter this time. I have checked the pots and they are all "15A 25k 0240 S" and the the earth soldered to the middle volume pot is definitely soldered to the wire as well as the pot. I rewired everything and went the through with the multimeter testing. I tested both volume pots (by touching the terminals to the outer of the white wire from the pick-up and the inner one that's connected in the centre terminal). They are working fine but when I did the same to the tone (with the black earth wire and white wire) and that is where the issue seems to be. I am getting no reading what so ever, So I can only assume there is a problem with that pot or maybe the capacitor?

Ok so a little update, I put it all back together and it still doesn't work so maybe putting the clips on upside down was only one of the issues. I have soldered it all up with just the one volume pot and the tone pot now and still nothing. So far the only working configuration is with just the input jack and pick-up. The multimeter is arriving in the next few days then I can test things in a less trial and error kind of way. Current (not working) wiring:

Just wired up the braid wire to the ground and tested it and I get nothing, no sound through the amp and nothing if I touch any of the components. Does this mean that there is an issue with the input? Only sound I got was a pop when I unplugged the battery. Also just to rule it out I stripped back the white wire with the braid to see if I had melted through to the wire in the core and it was fine. I am going to order a multimeter so that will hopefully make life easier. EDIT: So I have worked out what my problem is.... and I feel totally stupid now and I can't believe it didn't dawn on me before but the clip that does clips on to the underneath of the Pick-up can in fact be put on the wrong way around....... It is now working with the single pick-up. going to wire everything up now and I have a feeling its all going to work.

Ok, so I just wired it up with only the pick-up and the battery and I am still getting nothing when playing the strings but if I touch the pick-up or anywhere in the circuit I am getting some buzzing. Not sure if that is good or not?

I did have it all working in another bass but they have been sitting in a shoebox for a couple of years since then. There are no signs of corrosion etc, So I can only assume they work, the only difference is when they where installed previously they where hooked up to a barrel jack. I can't see any shorts in the white wire. Double checked the jack - Tip is connect to tone pot, Ground to Sleeve and Battery Neg to Ring. I have connected it all up with battery and touching the wires gives no found what so ever. I assume this means the circuit is not complete? I will try your other suggestions and report back, thanks for the help. Also just to make sure I am correct, I have wired the red wires from the neck and bridge pick-up wired into the red wire from the battery. Is that correct?

I have been wiring up the bass today and as far as I can tell I have everything correct but I am getting no output from the bass at all. I would appreciate if anyone could take a look at it. The red wire that runs off to the right is going to the battery and is connected on the left to both the red wires from the pick-ups.