Chambered BK J Bass from the showcase

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I did this one on the cheap.  Gift card form the mother in law for Christmas, a little more from me, cheap DIY finish, use existing pickups, thought it would be a fun winter project.

Here's the edited print screen I did from the showcase before ordering.  I went for the lightest one they had.


Wanted a string thru bridge option, but that option is off the table once it leaves the CNC table...so I did it myself.  I also retrofitted a Fender using the same process.  Voila!















I gave it a very liberal naptha washing 2 days apart, and on the 3rd day, I gave it a Minwax finishing paste wax finish.  If you're unfamiliar with this, it was a very easy finish to apply.  No spraying or long drying times.  It does have fumes so I applied with the garage door open with a fan blowing.  Again, very easy finish.  Goes on hard, like wiping hard wax onto wood.  It gets dull and feels wet, and at one point you think you've ruined it.  As you apply in the direction of the grain and keep reapplying, eventually you're doing circular patterns and polishing it as it dries.  I did 2 coats over 2 days, and maybe spent 3 hours.





I did threaded inserts on the control cavity because it will get active pickups and I didn't route a battery box.

 

[bagman67]

Very handsome work!


What kinda neck is she gonna get?

 

[stratamania]

Nice work so far... Look  forward  to seeing the rest.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Very handsome work!


What kinda neck is she gonna get?

I have wenge/ ebony neck i keep moving around and want to like but really don't.

 

[Pelagaard]

How has this finish held up?  I'm thinking of using it on a swamp ash body I have on order.

 

[rgand]

Looks really good. I like the string through bridge. :icon_thumright:

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

What's the hardware appointments, ie; Chrome/Gold/Black?
Pickguard color?
I like the threaded inserts on the pickguard, very precise and clean.

I think you'll really like the tone of the chambered J.

When I worked there, we had a bunch of "Shop Guitars", which were assemblies of various product.

I got to borrow the Chambered J that we had there, took it home and did some recording with it.  It sat right in the pocket in the mix very easily with very little post eq treatment.

 

[Great Ape]

Lovely work, that's a beauty!

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

How has this finish held up?  I'm thinking of using it on a swamp ash body I have on order.

Sorry I'm late to respond.  To your question, it's not very durable.  It scratches easily, however that's just the wax being scratched.  I did a pick up swap a while back, and gave it a naptha wipe down followed by some more wax.  I dare say it added a little depth.  It got a little more semi gloss.  It's definitely not a once and done finish.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

What's the hardware appointments, ie; Chrome/Gold/Black?
Pickguard color?
I like the threaded inserts on the pickguard, very precise and clean.

I think you'll really like the tone of the chambered J.

When I worked there, we had a bunch of "Shop Guitars", which were assemblies of various product.

I got to borrow the Chambered J that we had there, took it home and did some recording with it.  It sat right in the pocket in the mix very easily with very little post eq treatment.

It's a mix and match of black and chrome.  I've since changed the Strat black plastic knobs for Hipshot brushed chrome knobs.  The mix looks nice. 

This is my 3rd chambered J bass body, and when browsing the showcase, I opted for the lightest one at 4 lbs 11 ozs.  I swapped the pickups out EMGs came out, Fender noiseless went in.  That really woke it up. 

Despite its looks, it's actually the least expensive and lightest bass I own.  The wenge/ebony neck having no finish and doing a $10 wax finish on a showcase body really made it almost cheap.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Latest pick with different pickups and knobs.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

She's quite purty!