Author Topic: Refinish (Read 213 times)

mike1762 · « **on:** June 07, 2011, 04:18:48 PM »

I'm not finding any local takers for my Orion 4. I had issues with my last long distance sale; therefore, I'm not willing to sell the bass sight unseen. As such, I'm considering refinishing the bass myself (it has a beautiful Bird's Eye Maple top). Anybody have any experience/advice? Are there some Dummy Guides to Refinishing Guitars websites out there??? I was thinking about a Cherry Sunbust finish and replacing all the hardware with chrome.

precarius · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2011, 04:24:35 PM »

Here you go:
http://www.stewmac.com/

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2011, 05:01:32 PM »

My advice would be to tread lightly. I've almost never seen anyone do a home refinishing well, and finishing is an art. Most modern methods require some serious equipment. Old fashioned methods require lots of labor, and a few years of experience doesn't hurt in either case. I don't know how much time and money you are willing to spend, but in most cases I think folks are better off selling the instrument as is, rather than trying to restore it to a condition that most people won't esteem as much as a factory job. If you proceed, I would love to see photos and a narrative.

mike1762 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2011, 05:03:33 PM »

Cool... I'm thinking a burst of Lemon Yellow to Cerry Red to Black on the Maple and Black on the body and the neck.

pace · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2011, 05:10:14 PM »

?

why

mike1762 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2011, 05:21:05 PM »

Hey Kevin

I was typing as you hit the Enter button!!! Your advice is well taken. I don't have that much in the bass; therefore, it wouldn't be that big of a deal if it didn't go well. I wouldn't be in any rush to complete the job; so I think I could proceed slowly and meticulously and maybe it would work out. If it didn't, I could claim it was destroyed in a freak paint explosion.

pace · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2011, 06:14:18 PM »

If you list your Orion for sale at a fair price and describe it accurately, I don't see how even the worst case scenario could out-weigh the risk of a newbie finish job, and the number of potential buyers turned off by the choice~ even if it did turn out to be exceptional.

Case and point would be Todd Harris's 74 SI. It is a beautiful bass, refinished by a pro, but the serial # stamp got lost in translation. Everything else about the job was flawless.... Thus a lot of people didn't even bother putting an offer in....

Just sayin'....

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #7 on:** June 07, 2011, 06:46:32 PM »

If I might offer one piece of additional advice, if you are committed to your cause, then don't make this instrument your first attempt. Pick up a beater bass like a Squire, or some other low end pawn shop instrument. You'll probably learn something from a first attempt that could save heartache on a boutique instrument. $100 for an import knock off is less than you stand to lose, and there is much to be gained. I think that Mike makes a good point that there may be hidden perils that are worth considering. I would also mention that the burst pattern you mention doesn't sound terribly easy. People struggle to recreate classic sunbursts. All that being said, you never know what sort of talents you might possess. Just be prepared for seemingly simple tasks like stripping and sanding to be full of hidden pitfalls. I would say otherwise, but so many folks seem to get hung up in the first stages of the process. Good luck, and best wishes.

briant · « **Reply #8 on:** June 07, 2011, 06:50:50 PM »

Pick up a beater bass like a Squire, or some other low end pawn shop instrument. You'll probably learn something from a first attempt that could save heartache on a boutique instrument. $100 for an import knock off is less than you stand to lose, and there is much to be gained

Yes. Very much that.

terryc · « **Reply #9 on:** June 08, 2011, 02:56:55 AM »

mike1762 to refinish a bass, car, furniture you need to have some very good equipment and be prepared to spend a lot of time and effort.
Using chemical strippers requires some research as not to damage the underlying wood and you need personal protective clothing.
Sandpaper in various grades plus the power tools to attach it to, rotary sanders, recipricating sanders, fine grinding pastes etc.
Then there is the finish itself, if you were to hand wax it then that would be easier but to spray the bass you would need thinners, the finish, an airless spray system, somewhere to spray it AND all the protective clothing and positive pressure air breathing hoods. The place to spray is not your garage but preferably an warm room with dust/fume extraction.
It maybe cheaper to get someone to do it for you rather the massive expense of buying all the gear to do it.

bigredbass · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2011, 11:20:46 PM »

I would also suggest farming this out unless you're very sure of your disassembly skills (EVERYTHING metal and electronic will have to come off, and be reinstalled correctly later) and your stripping/refinishing skills: Eventually you'll want to move this bass for something else, and any prospective buyer is gonna expect Alembic quality.

I don't know where you are in Tennessee, but in Nashville I use Greg at his shop The Classic Ax (www.classicax.com) down on 16th in Music Row. As well as being a highly qualified tech, he shoots finishes as well. I can recommend him without reservation, and have no qualms leaving my Alembics in his care. A fussy, particular kind of guy, just what I like.

J o e y