STATII.COM: For all things Status-Graphite

Posted by Rowley Birkin QC on 11-03-2012 04:30

OK, so, having had the Washburn for sometime now and not ever being happy with the finish on it I've decided to take on my first refinish project. It's currently finished in Trans red, but the new finish will be white. I'm pretty sure I'll be OK with the paint side of things having a background in the automotive refinishing/repair industry, but I may require help & advice on the technical (mainly wiring) element of the project. I'll take some pics in it's current state and attempt tp post them, then try and keep them up to date as I go through the project. Wish me luck!

Posted by Rowley Birkin QC on 29-03-2012 08:10

So, after putting off stripping the bass down due to my concern over the electronics side of things I bit the bullet today and stripped it down. Turned out to be easier than I thought. De-soldered the pups from the contacts on the back of them and everything else just unscrewed! So now it's stripped and ready for repainting.

www.rossmay.co.uk/images/Status%20rebuild/PICT1591.JPG

Posted by Rowley Birkin QC on 01-04-2012 03:24

Now I have a dilemma! After a LOT of sanding, mostly by hand, the wood was revealed. Looking at the front, do I go ahead with my original plan to refinish it in white, or just lacquer the thing as is? If I do the latter (which I am very tempted to do) should I "black " the centre section and neck or just lacquer the whole thing? Any opinions? BTW, can anyone recommed where I might get a replica logo for the body?

www.rossmay.co.uk/images/Status%20rebuild/PICT1592.JPG

Edited by Rowley Birkin QC on 10-10-2024 05:51

Posted by Danny on 01-04-2012 03:41

You could if you wanted add a status logo (transfer) to the bit between the neck pick up and neck? It really is a nice grain but I would be tempted to go with the original plan, these basses did look great in white. Tough decision, good luck deciding!

Posted by bassbus on 01-04-2012 03:44

That looks fantastic as it is. I would just lacquer it as is. The contrast between the centre and outer woods looks good. The subject of decals has just come up on BC. One suggestion was this http://www.guitardecals.co.uk/. There are lots of suppliers on ebay as well. They can all make up transfers to your requirements.

Posted by Jacko on 01-04-2012 04:20

GreAt job man White headless will give it a great 80s look The grain is very nice but I would go for may be a more out of this world modern color Try to check out www.basslab.de for may be more ideas Also Ritter Basses or www.marleaux.de They all make amazing finishes

Posted by Angry-Canuck on 01-04-2012 04:27

That wood grain actually looks decent. I would be tempted to stripe the center of the body as per original and put a light stain on the wings to bring out the grain. Quasi-Statii.....

Posted by sprocket on 01-04-2012 09:40

#11

Quote

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: Now I have a dilemma! After a LOT of sanding, mostly by hand, the wood was revealed. Looking at the front, do I go ahead with my original plan to refinish it in white, or just lacquer the thing as is? If I do the latter (which I am very tempted to do) should I "black " the centre section and neck or just lacquer the whole thing? Any opinions? BTW, can anyone recommed where I might get a replica logo for the body?

A good graphics design place must be able to do your graphics Rowley Birkin Qc

Posted by Rowley Birkin QC on 01-04-2012 09:40

#12

Thanks for the decal link BassBus, had a look and they look pretty good. Will probably order from them if I decide to put one on. Just gave the bottom half a few coats of wax this evening and may go down that route if I can build up a decent shine. Won't be able to decal it then though. The jury's still out on the final finish though, but I think I have ruled out the white..........or have I?

Edited by Rowley Birkin QC on 10-10-2024 05:51

Posted by sprocket on 01-04-2012 09:43

#13

Quote

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: Thanks for the decal link BassBus, had a look and they look pretty good. Will probably order from them if I decide to put one on. Just gave the bottom half a few coats of wax this evening and may go down that route if I can build up a decent shine. Won't be able to decal it then though. The jury's still out on the final finish though, but I think I have ruled out the white..........or have I?

A satin or clear finish would be cool , consedering the beauty of the woods

Posted by Rowley Birkin QC on 01-04-2012 09:48

#14

Yeah, it's already showing a nice satin sheen on the darker wood. Only polished by hand so far but might attach a polishing head to the drill and give it a good buff with that after a few more coats.

Posted by Rowley Birkin QC on 15-04-2012 04:07

#16

Hi Sprocket, not much to update at the moment except for getting the hardware back from the metal polisher's last week. Came up quite well..

www.rossmay.co.uk/images/Status%20rebuild/PICT1599.JPG

At the moment, having applied a couple of coats of lacquer to "seal" the grain, It's showing minute traces of the red stain from the original colour in the grain which is exceptionally difficult to get out. I'm going to have to take a view on this over the coming week, as, if I want to achieve a quality look, I may have to revert to my original plan of refinishing it it white, much as I would hate to hide the fantastic wood grain on the front.