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View Full Version : Mahogany Covered Barts.....

Bluzboy66
11-06-2008, 09:35 PM
Thought you guys might dig this. One of my customers asked me if I could cover his Bartolini soapbars with mahogany veneers to add the final bit of 'finish' to his custom built bass. I had to give this some thought, and I went for it. I think they turned out pretty nice......

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/ForresterKustoms/Guitar%20Repairs/Mahogany%20Covered%20Barts/S5009294.jpg?t=1226031687

By the way, I knew that a clear lacquer topcoat would quickly deteriorate under heavy use, and epoxy seemed like it would be a huge hassle in this application. My decision? I used 2 different viscosities of Hot Stuff (excellent pro-grade super glue.....I've been using it for finish drop-fills for years). I applied the water-thin Hot Stuff at first, allowing it to penetrate the mahogany veneer, followed up with the heavier viscosity Hot Stuff going one thin layer at a time, block sanded between coats, and wet sanded the final coat followed by buffing. The result is a beautiful rock hard coating, and the pickups will definitely look great in the bass. What do you guys think?

Thanks for looking,
Mike
ghoti
11-06-2008, 09:50 PM
Beautiful. Moment of truth IMO is how they match the rest of the bass.
walterw
11-07-2008, 01:53 AM
that looks damn good! how did you glue the veneers to the pickups?
fyrwyr
11-07-2008, 05:27 AM
You just might get more requests for that now!
Sir M
11-07-2008, 05:46 AM
:dude:dude
Bluzboy66
11-07-2008, 06:02 AM
Beautiful. Moment of truth IMO is how they match the rest of the bass.

The center core of the bass is natural mahogany, and it looks like these veneers were cut from the same piece of wood. Very complimentary.

Mike
Bluzboy66
11-07-2008, 06:05 AM
Thanks guys. I think my customer will be very happy with the results.

Mike
jefesq
11-08-2008, 05:22 PM
How do they SOUND? They look awesome.
Bluzboy66
11-08-2008, 06:33 PM
How do they SOUND? They look awesome.

No difference in sound. Actually, I sanded approximately 1/16" from the pickup's plastic casing before gluing on the veneer. The veneer w/coating is approximately 1/16" thick. So, in the end, the pickup performs exactly the same as it did prior to the mod.

Mike
JRenn
11-09-2008, 03:58 PM
Looks great! Care to post the "After" photos as well?
Bluzboy66
11-10-2008, 08:37 AM
Looks great! Care to post the "After" photos as well?

Sure. Here's a close-up, and another pic showing my customer, JB, giving his 'freshened-up' custom bass the seal of approval. Please keep in mind, I didn't build the bass' body. I installed the custom Warmoth neck, dressed the frets, modded the pickups, and peformed a Super Tune......

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/ForresterKustoms/Guitar%20Repairs/Mahogany%20Covered%20Barts/S5009325.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r56/ForresterKustoms/Guitar%20Repairs/Mahogany%20Covered%20Barts/S5009324.jpg

Mike
swimrunner
11-10-2008, 09:18 AM
That's awesomeness. Where'd the body come from?
Bluzboy66
11-10-2008, 10:12 AM
That's awesomeness. Where'd the body come from?

Not sure who made the body, but JB told me that it was someone in the D.C. area. The workmanship looks pretty good, but the body could benefit from a decent finish.

Mike
Bassomatic
11-10-2008, 11:19 PM
PUP covers look great, and I dig that body shape too.