PeteyBass
Junior Member
Hello everyone, I wanted to give you an update on bringing back the 66 Starfire.
She arrived in overall better condition than I expected. There were muiltpul sand-through areas but the bass was in solid shape.
The headstock had a slight separation in the center. I injected glue into it, clamped it, and it looks great. I'm not sure you would ever know.
As for the finish, I went with a non-stained Watco Danish oil, very similar to a gunstock oil finish. It took about two weeks of applying more than a dozen coats leveled with 2000 grit steel wool. The finish feels very vintage and looks older. It can be as flat or glossy as I like when I get it to the polishing wheel. I can always go over it with nitro laquer later if desired. The frets looks surprisingly in 90% condition and the truss rod is in working order with the neck in the proper postion of an unstringed guitar.
I have the original nut, and the original tuners are in excellent shape. I was able to find an original Hagstrom strap button for the neck position.
Ive ordered a set of Novak DS-BiSonics. I have three Fender style basses with Freds pickups and the idea of having the ability to go between the two tones was very appealing. They will be wired with push-pull volume switches and a phase switch in the old suck switch postion. A three-way switch and matser volume will also be installed. I ordered the wiring harness with the guys at 920D Custom. I have both an original and a reisisue bridge, and of course plenty of saddles.
NEEDED PARTS...
Im still looking for a bridge pickup ring (I may just have to make one) and the copper or brass brad-nail markers. I also need three vintage volume/ tone knobs.
Possibly Forno can help me upload a couple of pics, I seem to lack the skill-set. LOL
Oh, I passed on the blue finish.
She arrived in overall better condition than I expected. There were muiltpul sand-through areas but the bass was in solid shape.
The headstock had a slight separation in the center. I injected glue into it, clamped it, and it looks great. I'm not sure you would ever know.
As for the finish, I went with a non-stained Watco Danish oil, very similar to a gunstock oil finish. It took about two weeks of applying more than a dozen coats leveled with 2000 grit steel wool. The finish feels very vintage and looks older. It can be as flat or glossy as I like when I get it to the polishing wheel. I can always go over it with nitro laquer later if desired. The frets looks surprisingly in 90% condition and the truss rod is in working order with the neck in the proper postion of an unstringed guitar.
I have the original nut, and the original tuners are in excellent shape. I was able to find an original Hagstrom strap button for the neck position.
Ive ordered a set of Novak DS-BiSonics. I have three Fender style basses with Freds pickups and the idea of having the ability to go between the two tones was very appealing. They will be wired with push-pull volume switches and a phase switch in the old suck switch postion. A three-way switch and matser volume will also be installed. I ordered the wiring harness with the guys at 920D Custom. I have both an original and a reisisue bridge, and of course plenty of saddles.
NEEDED PARTS...
Im still looking for a bridge pickup ring (I may just have to make one) and the copper or brass brad-nail markers. I also need three vintage volume/ tone knobs.
Possibly Forno can help me upload a couple of pics, I seem to lack the skill-set. LOL
Oh, I passed on the blue finish.