Restoring a Lake Placid Blue '63 Bass VI

[MattK]

I love that your "references to hand" for the forearm contour are an LPB JM and a SB Jag most of us would die to see:

[clintburgess]

This particular restoration continues to captivate me. It was next level to begin with but these new updates regarding body contours and the like are just incredible to see. I love that you said, "Its a dumb little thing, but I like how the two-piece body of the repair slab lines up with the original two-piece body seam." That is no small feat given the complexity of this project.

Brilliant craftsmanship and artistry here. I know the rest of the OSG crew is as appreciative of you sharing this restoration as I am. The big reveal after painting is going to outstanding.

[zhivago]

This is in the top 3 best ever restoration threads on OSG ever. Easily.

[Highnumbers]

Thank you all! Too kind, glad you all are enjoying this and especially if my documenting of this restoration is educational in any way. That's really the main point of it all.

I love that your "references to hand" for the forearm contour are an LPB JM and a SB Jag most of us would die to see:

Thanks, well it's certainly helpful to have some good examples around as a comparison point (and it really illustrates how inconsistent Fender was, when you break out the calipers and other measuring tools).

The one one at the top is a sonic blue '64 Jazzmaster that is a body-only refin (original headstock and cavities) that I should probably start a thread for, that restoration was recently completed. The LPB '65 is all original.

I do have a '64 Jaguar in original sonic blue, which was useful for some measurements.

[MattK]

The one one at the top is a sonic blue '64 Jazzmaster that is a body-only refin (original headstock and cavities) that I should probably start a thread for, that restoration was recently completed.

YES PLEASE!
(Jag is incredible too!)

[clintburgess]

Threads are vast out here in the OSG...I know it's not a restoration but have you previously posted additional pics of that '65 LPB jazzmaster? Would love to see more...

[Highnumbers]

Threads are vast out here in the OSG...I know it's not a restoration but have you previously posted additional pics of that '65 LPB jazzmaster? Would love to see more...

Sure, here's some pics. I should really get a group shot going (maybe after this Bass VI and my other '62 JM restoration are both done).

This is an early '65 in Lake Placid Blue, which I thankfully bought several years ago before prices went stupid. Great guitar, pictured here with a '64 AC-30 Top Boost. I have a thing for British amps..

[RIORIO]

I absolutely love this thread

[JVG]

This is in the top 3 best ever restoration threads on OSG ever. Easily.

I agree!

For my mind, it’s right up with this one:
https://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/v ... p?t=111273

[clintburgess]

Threads are vast out here in the OSG...I know it's not a restoration but have you previously posted additional pics of that '65 LPB jazzmaster? Would love to see more...

Sure, here's some pics. I should really get a group shot going (maybe after this Bass VI and my other '62 JM restoration are both done).

This is an early '65 in Lake Placid Blue, which I thankfully bought several years ago before prices went stupid. Great guitar, pictured here with a '64 AC-30 Top Boost. I have a thing for British amps..

Well, that's about as good as a jazzmaster can get in my opinion. Exquisite guitar you've got there Highnumbers, truly. I'm a sucker for LPB so I am bias. Appreciate you sharing some goods on this one. And yes, I'd say fire up a thread once the bass vi is back from painting and your '62 is complete.

[will]

Nice work! it is always good to see how repairable wooden things can be with the right amount of craftiness.

[Highnumbers]

Nice work! it is always good to see how repairable wooden things can be with the right amount of craftiness.

Thanks Will, your Vox JM thread is the O.G. "comeback" restoration on this fine forum!

Wood is definitley forgiving, especially when covered by an opaque finish. I've seen some true legends of guitar repair do major work that is nearly undetectable with natural or sunburst finishes and that's super impressive.

[Highnumbers]

Project Update --

Today's posts will be my last real updates on this project for a while (I think) because it's shipping out to Carson Hess soon for paint.

I wanted to seal the wood and even spray some coats of white sealer/undercoat so I can confirm 100% that no seam lines will show through from the repair areas. I use Mohawk nitrocellulose lacquer sealers, which are high grade (even in aerosol form) and compatible with quality color lacquers.

First step was masking off the cavities to preserve the LPB (I sprayed inside the neck pocket because that's how the original was, no bare paint stick showing the wood). The only spots I didn't mask are the thimble holes and mute plunger hole - I'll probably clean these out after paint.

Bare wood, ready for sealer:



With a coat of clear lacquer sealer (my preference for the first layer):





Followed by a light coat of white sealer/undercoat. Pretty cool moment, because the repaired areas are instantly hidden and gone.





Once it dried, there were **VERY** faint seam lines visible under exact lighting on the backside lower bout. I let the sealer cure for a couple days to shrink a bit, then block sanded everything with 400-grit paper so really level out any micro inconsistencies and make that seam line disappear.

[Highnumbers]

From this point, I sprayed another couple coats of white sealer/undercoat, let it cure for a couple days and then block-sanded with 800-grit. That probably a little too fine and it'll need to be scuffed again before color but I wanted to really see every last detail before packing it up for shipping.

The final result is excellent, I'm super happy with how this all turned out. You cannot see a seam line anywhere on this. The sealer coats are nice and smooth, all the contours and edges are pefect. It should look really nice with color on.











(I can now get back to other, bigger projects in the garage...)



I didn't bolt the neck on, but gave it a test fit on the body to check fitment. And just because.

[zhivago]

Excellent work, this will look incredible once finished!