Squier VM Jaguar refinish project

[Crusher47]

Lookin' good so far

 

[Bugeyed Earl]

Nice work, I think she'll be thrilled! I love a good refinish project, thanks for sharing the pics

 

[Tim Hall]

Doing a little gardening today. Look - my custom white-topped ebony top hat knobs are growing nicely. Time to harvest soon

 

[Tim Hall]

Lookin' good so far

Thanks! I'm kinda scared to take the sandpaper to it. Next week for sure. What's the worst that could happen (no, dont tell me).

 

[Tim Hall]

Started sanding at 800. Sanded through to color (under the pickguard). Crap. More clearcoats on the way.

On a happier note, I like these knobs.

 

[Tim Hall]

Long time no progress. Life happens. But now, I'm on deadline to finish by the middle of June (hopefully). Pickguard ordered a week ago. Started to wet sand (again) today. So far so good.

 

[Tim Hall]

And after a week of progressing through from 800 to 2500 grit wet paper, then to Meguiar's #7 on a foam pad in an electric drill, we have something approaching gloss!

 

[TwinDad]

Sweet! What a very nice birthday gift, and a nice looking job.

Perfect timing as a tutorial as well... my first bass kit is in the UPS delivery truck right now...

 

[friskinator]

Nice! I'll never forget reaching that glossy stage on my first refin. Made me feel like all the hard work and research was worth it.

 

[Tim Hall]

The pickguard and pickup covers are in the mail; I should have them by the start of next week.

I'm actually debating going back and respraying the front with clear - there's a couple of imperfections there near the arm bevel that I might be able to cover up. That would mean it definitely wouldn't be done by the 16th though.

 

[Tim Hall]

Pickup covers got here before I left. The Jazz cover is a tight fit but it does fit in the pickup cavity. Not sure the screws will line up exactly. The P covers are pretty much exactly the same dimensions. Pickguard should be here when I get back from a work trip to Atlanta.

 

[Tim Hall]

Ok, so the pickguard is here. Unfortunately, the P pickups do not fit. So, a question for the Talkbass collective: Should I expect to have to file the pickguard cutouts? Or is this something I'll just destroy if I try? (Not that that stops me). Both the new white and the old black pickup covers do not fit the cutout, so it's not a problem with the covers.

 

[friskinator]

Ok, so the pickguard is here. Unfortunately, the P pickups do not fit. So, a question for the Talkbass collective: Should I expect to have to file the pickguard cutouts? Or is this something I'll just destroy if I try? (Not that that stops me). Both the new white and the old black pickup covers do not fit the cutout, so it's not a problem with the covers.

Depending on how much room you need, filing might work. I had to do that on a PG awhile back. If you use a thin metal file and go slow, you wont destroy anything. How much room are you lacking?

 

[Duder]

Sub'd. Watching this come together is great!

 

[Tim Hall]

Depending on how much room you need, filing might work. I had to do that on a PG awhile back. If you use a thin metal file and go slow, you wont destroy anything. How much room are you lacking?

Not 100% sure. It's close enough that I was tempted to try to force it but saner heads prevailed. I'd say a millimeter or 1.5 would probably be enough. I'm just worried about ruining the edge and having it look like crap, or cracking the guard entirely.

Define "thin metal file, please." I was thinking of sandpaper on a stick. Is that bad?

 

[Tim Hall]

Sub'd. Watching this come together is great!

Thanks! Friday is the due date, so wish me luck. (I may not have the electronics done by then, but I at least want it assembled and looking like a bass.)

 

[friskinator]

Not 100% sure. It's close enough that I was tempted to try to force it but saner heads prevailed. I'd say a millimeter or 1.5 would probably be enough. I'm just worried about ruining the edge and having it look like crap, or cracking the guard entirely.

Define "thin metal file, please." I was thinking of sandpaper on a stick. Is that bad?

I used a needle file - you can get a set of different sizes at any big-box hardware store for under $5. I'm not sure if sandpaper on a stick would be OK, but the file is probably faster and more precise.