Author Topic: Painting pickups? (Read 204 times)

neurotictim · « **on:** January 13, 2008, 06:53:26 PM »

Hey all, I've been perusing the pics around here a lot, and I'd like to fill the Alembic logos on my Epic 5 with gold paint... Maybe fill is the wrong word, highlight is probably better, a thin coat of gold model paint, maybe?

Anyone know of a reason not to do this? Any particular kind of paint I should use to avoid interference?

Thanks.

terryc · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2008, 12:40:46 AM »

Don't think it would interfere with the input signal..what about going to a art/craft shop and using gold leaf..would look much better.

neurotictim · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2008, 02:40:30 AM »

Good point. I actually have the stuff to do silver leaf, all I'd need to do is pick up the gold paper.

....I'll post pics...

terryc · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2008, 03:47:14 AM »

Please do, the 'Alembic' has worn off my pu's on my MK signature so I may re do with the same

neurotictim · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2008, 04:08:57 AM »

Will do. Gotta do some heavy-duty cleaning this afternoon, get all the dust off, so I'll probably do it then.

neurotictim · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2008, 03:57:22 PM »

Allocating my day tomorrow to set-up, gold-leafing and cleaning... Going to give Dean cryogenics a try - I like them pretty well on my P-bass, we'll see what happens.

And I'll be sure to take pics for you guys...

neurotictim · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2008, 02:48:25 AM »

Spent three hours yesterday cleaning, leafing, and setting up... I've got a bunch of pics, they were very handy with putting the bridge back together, and I still managed to do it wrong twice.

I'll post pics when I get home from work.

tbrannon · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2008, 05:35:08 AM »

Cool- Looking forward to the pictures~

neurotictim · « **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2008, 03:23:40 PM »

Yay for getting this done. This is the stuff I used:

In the process, I found a couple of nice touches along the way...

...Nifty...

The sizing (glue) didn't want to work with me, no matter how long I let it set. When I was finally happy with it, after three tries that is, I tried to use the sealer and ended up making a big mess, which I then had to clean up.

That took some of the leaf out, but it's mostly leaf, with a little gold spray paint that I sprayed into the lid - much more realistic than the gold model paint.

It wasn't all that hard, but in the end, I had to fill in some places with gold paint. End result is something I'm very happy with. It even looks good up close.

I'll get a better pic of the finished product when I'm happy with the setup. Currently I'm letting the truss rod adjustments settle for a few minutes, but I think I've got a problem... (Message edited by neurotictim on January 17, 2008)

tbrannon · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2008, 04:17:52 PM »

Nice job on the gold leaf- what's the deal with the truss rods?

neurotictim · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2008, 05:38:46 PM »

I wasn't quite done with the setup when I took the pics, and I've never adjusted dual truss rods before... I've done some wandering around here and found out about them, basically treating them like a single truss rod, adjusting them the same amount at the same time, and all that, but I don't know why you can see the threads on the G string side and not on the B side.

Either way, I'm pretty happy with the setup, I've got to let it sit for the night to settle in, then I'll put the cover back on.

adriaan · « **Reply #11 on:** January 18, 2008, 02:38:46 AM »

If I remember correctly, this version of the pickup is originally without the gold-leaf. But why not - it looks real nice!

terryc · « **Reply #12 on:** January 18, 2008, 07:26:13 AM »

Looks very good, the slightly ruffled gold leaf makes it look 'antique' neurotictim..you have definitely gave me the push to do the same on mine now

neurotictim · « **Reply #13 on:** January 18, 2008, 11:38:36 AM »

Thanks.

I would recommend getting the gold leaf paper, as opposed to the shreddings I got... Much easier to keep your work area clean when there's no gold leaf floating around.

FWIW, I got everything I needed at Michael's hobby shop, for roughly $30.

I also didn't mention it, but I replaced the SS pickup screws with brass ones from Lowes. Matches better with the rest of the hardware, and it's also non-magnetic, so it's a win-win. 6-32 round slotted, 3/4 for the neck and 1 for the bridge. I even made sure not to tighten them too much.

Also added gold Proline strap locks.

rockbassist · « **Reply #14 on:** February 29, 2008, 02:27:27 PM »

Looks Great! I was considering doing the same to my Epic but I was afraid to screw it up. I think I am going to give it a try