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Finished Pics! A quick 'lighten and veneer' job

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Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3128
edited January 2017 in Making & Modding
It's another bass, I'm afraid, but this sort of thing can be done with many overweight electrics just as well.<br><br>I've lightened a few guitars in my time, usually by routing a 'false' control chamber on the back.  The trouble is, it saves a surprisingly small amount of weight.  So what if you want some more out?  <br><br>I got a call from a chap with a sore shoulder from the Basschat forum who asked if there was anything that could be done with this quite pretty Harley Benton bass:<br><img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/XqALruFl.jpg"><br><br>Looks nice, plays nice, weighs nearly 11lb<br><br>There's plenty of wood could come out from under the pickguard but experience told me it would not be enough to get down to the 9lbs - 9 1/2lb target.  I could also have gone from the back and had multiple faux control chambers<br><br>He was also interested in some of the veneer jobs I do, so we came up with a plan - rout from the top and veneer it.<br><br>Briefly up to present time:<br><br>Trying to keep the balance OK, I avoided taking too much wood out below the bridge.  Everything else was fair game <img alt="" height="18">  By the way - like many of us, I'm a fan of Harley Bentons and this is a nice bass and made from...not ply (despite the weight) but solid Ash!<br><br>Anyway - cue forstners chisels and router:<br><img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/ANbzERUl.jpg"><br><br>This, including the addition of some thin basswood to cover the chambers, took out 1 lb 12oz.<br><br>On went the covers and off came the finish:<br>  <br><img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/MhPXm5Kl.jpg"><br><br>Then on went the veneer (which I'm sure you've all seen before ad nauseam):<br><img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/4TL6i4Jl.jpg"><br><br>..and today, bringing this up to present, the - yes, you guessed it - red ink:<br><img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/7qLoYucl.jpg" title="Image: http://i.imgur.com/7qLoYucl.jpg"><br> 
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Comments

  • SporkySporky Frets: 28777
    Very nice work as always.<br>
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."<br>
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3128
    <blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/10/Sporky">Sporky</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText">Very nice work as always.<br></div> </blockquote> Thanks, Sporky.  I'm an avid watcher of your workshop thread, by the way.  I hope the mods think to pin it!!!
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  • DeadmanDeadman Frets: 3929
    Yum! Lacquer will make it pop even more no doubt (if that's what you're planning?)<br>Great skills.
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  • BigMonkaBigMonka Frets: 1783
    That looks, and will no doubt feel, like a completely different guitar!
    <span style="font-size: x-small; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">Always be yourself! Unless you can be Batman, in which case always be Batman.</span><div><span style="font-size: x-small; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">My boss told me "dress for the job you want, not the job you have"... now I'm sat in a disciplinary meeting dressed as Batman.</span></div>
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3128
    First sealing coat of varnish on:<br><img src="http://i.imgur.com/VdTVULtl.jpg " alt="" title="Image: http://i.imgur.com/VdTVULtl.jpg "><br><br>and headstock veneer and first stain coat on:<br><img src="http://i.imgur.com/8KVtl98l.jpg " alt="" title="Image: http://i.imgur.com/8KVtl98l.jpg "><br><br>
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  • WezVWezV Frets: 16809
    The looks excellent against the bound and blocks maple board
    <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.wezvenables.co.uk">Wez Venables Guitars</a><br><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/wezvenables/">Instagram</a>
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3128
    <blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/24/WezV">WezV</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText">The looks excellent against the bound and blocks maple board</div> </blockquote> Thanks @WezV :)<br><br>I think this is going to look great with that contrast - I'll be doing a mock-up soon and will take a photo if there's enough light on this dull dreary day!
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  • impmannimpmann Frets: 12684
    Looks great Andy but I think I would have rounded that top bit of the headstock so it looked more 'classic'.<br><br><br>
    <i>Never Ever Bloody Anything Ever.<br></i><br>
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  • usedtobeusedtobe Frets: 3842
    Nice one!
    <div><blockquote class="Quote" style="padding-top: 1ex; padding-right: 16px; padding-bottom: 1ex; padding-left: 16px; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.046875); border-left-width: 4px; border-left-style: solid; border-left-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976562); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><div class="QuoteAuthor" style="margin-bottom: 10px; "> so if you fancy a reissue of a guitar they never made in a colour they never used then it probably isn't too overpriced.<br></div><div class="QuoteText"><div><br></div></div></blockquote></div>
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  • alcxamalcxam Frets: 112
    Smashing stuff! How much will you be charging for this work? (hope you don't mind me asking...)<br>
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3128
    <blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/121/impmann">impmann</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText">Looks great Andy but I think I would have rounded that top bit of the headstock so it looked more 'classic'.<br><br><br></div> </blockquote> The owner specifically wanted it left with the sharp bit.  I did offer....  ;)
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3128
    <blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/12335/alcxam" title="Link: /profile/12335/alcxam">alcxam</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText">Smashing stuff! How much will you be charging for this work? (hope you don't mind me asking...)<br></div> </blockquote> I'll PM you :)<br><br>
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  • BridgehouseBridgehouse Frets: 24581
    That must be the nicest Harley Benson in existence now...
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3128
    <blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/12703/Bridgehouse">Bridgehouse</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText">That must be the nicest Harley Benson in existence now...</div> </blockquote> Pity I didn't do the challenge last year ;)
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  • BridgehouseBridgehouse Frets: 24581
    <blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/439/Andyjr1515">Andyjr1515</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText"><blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/12703/Bridgehouse">Bridgehouse</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText">That must be the nicest Harley Benson in existence now...</div> </blockquote> Pity I didn't do the challenge last year ;)</div> </blockquote> Probably the first HB I've actually lusted after a bit ;)
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3128
    <blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/12703/Bridgehouse">Bridgehouse</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText"><blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/439/Andyjr1515">Andyjr1515</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText"><blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/12703/Bridgehouse">Bridgehouse</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText">That must be the nicest Harley Benson in existence now...</div> </blockquote> Pity I didn't do the challenge last year ;)</div> </blockquote> Probably the first HB I've actually lusted after a bit ;)</div> </blockquote> Wait til you see it tomorrow ;)
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  • BridgehouseBridgehouse Frets: 24581
    <blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/439/Andyjr1515">Andyjr1515</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText"><blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/12703/Bridgehouse">Bridgehouse</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText"><blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/439/Andyjr1515">Andyjr1515</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText"><blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/12703/Bridgehouse">Bridgehouse</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText">That must be the nicest Harley Benson in existence now...</div> </blockquote> Pity I didn't do the challenge last year ;)</div> </blockquote> Probably the first HB I've actually lusted after a bit ;)</div> </blockquote> Wait til you see it tomorrow ;)</div> </blockquote> Enough. I've bought two basses in the last month already..... <br><br>;)
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  • impmannimpmann Frets: 12684
    <blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/439/Andyjr1515">Andyjr1515</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText"><blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/121/impmann">impmann</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText">Looks great Andy but I think I would have rounded that top bit of the headstock so it looked more 'classic'.<br><br><br></div> </blockquote> The owner specifically wanted it left with the sharp bit.  I did offer....  ;)</div> </blockquote> Fair play, mate.<br><br>It still looks ace
    <i>Never Ever Bloody Anything Ever.<br></i><br>
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  • Andyjr1515Andyjr1515 Frets: 3128
    <blockquote class="Quote"> <div class="QuoteAuthor"><a href="/profile/12703/Bridgehouse" title="Link: /profile/12703/Bridgehouse">Bridgehouse</a> said:</div> <div class="QuoteText">That must be the nicest Harley Benson in existence now...</div> </blockquote> Actually, modesty aside, I have to concur ;)<br><br><img src="http://i.imgur.com/VlrGCyol.jpg " alt="" title="Image: http://i.imgur.com/VlrGCyol.jpg "><br><br>The little sunflower emblem was a personal request by the owner - it will press into an exact fit hole that it's presently just resting on:<br><img src="http://i.imgur.com/TmYFzzil.jpg " alt="" title="Image: http://i.imgur.com/TmYFzzil.jpg "><br><br> <br>I'm going to recommend dispensing with the pickguard, but the neck pickup rout is oversize and will need some form of ring or cover.  I have been able to get hold of Jazz pickup rings in the past but they don't seem to exist any more - anyone seen any?  I can always make one, I suppose.<br><img src="http://i.imgur.com/1ovb32Hl.jpg " alt="" title="Image: http://i.imgur.com/1ovb32Hl.jpg "><br><br><br>
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  • UnclePsychosisUnclePsychosis Frets: 12966
    Wow, that looks really great. Always enjoy your work. <br><br>Surprised someone is prepared to pay you to do that to a Harley Benton though. They're decent enough instruments but still... <br><br><br>
    <a href="http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/58840/">My trading feedback</a>
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