July was a “tinkering” month. To take a break from writing my novels, I went into my shop and studio to work on a Precision Bass kit I purchased a couple of months ago.
I finally finished it, and it turned out nice, and it does sound like a Fender Precision Bass. The all maple neck is smooth and much like the real Fender I used to have back in 1969.
The color I chose is a vintage cream color sold through Stewart McDonald’s Guitar Supply. Both the neck and body needed fine sanding before I could apply any finish. The neck is finished with several coats of tung oil varnish. After the body’s color coat dried I gave it a good polishing with a paste wax.
I plugged it into a little battery-powered guitar amp and it sounded great. It helps that the pickups and electronics were pre-wired. No soldering.
One last thing to do is to adjust the bridge for intonation and to lower it a little.
Sometime this month I’ll be working on a Telecaster kit I just got. Like the bass, the body is mahogony and the neck is all maple. I haven’t chosen a color yet, but it will probably be a vintage white. More news later.
For now, that’s it. Time to get back to my novels.
Ron Cook Studios 