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H8180/H8181 Bass Guitar Kit
-9-
5. Apply the finish according to Finishing Body,
Steps 5–10.
6. Before wet sanding, remove the masking
tape from the fretboard and carefully scrape
any excess finish off the fretboard with a
razor blade or chisel held perpendicular to
the surface, as shown in Figure
8.
Figure 8. Scraping the fretboard.
7. Let the wood dry naturally and completely.
8. Use a clean rag to wipe wood finishing oil on
the dried surface of the fretboard.
Some of the finishing options include stains, lac
-
quers, varnishes and oil finishes. Traditionally,
this style of guitar has a clear finish on the neck.
Depending on the type, finishes can be applied
with a spray gun, brush, rag, or a spray can.
Finish materials and books on finishing instru-
ments can be ordered through Grizzly Industrial
or numerous luthier supply catalogs.
Components and Hardware Needed: Qty
Guitar Neck .......................................................
1
To finish the guitar neck:
1. Mask off the surface of the fretboard. Carefully
press all the masking tape edges securely to
the fretboard. The finish coat can seep under
these edges, especially near corners, uneven
edges, and places where the frets meet the
fingerboard.
2. Make an "S" shaped hook out of
1
/4" steel
rod or a coat hanger that has been folded in
half.
3. Wipe the entire neck with a tack cloth to
remove any dust.
4. Thread the hook through an upper peghole
and hang the neck in the finishing room.
Finishing Neck
Most finishes are hazard-
ous to your health. Wear a
NIOSH/OSHA approved res
-
pirator with particulate and
gas/vapor filters, safety
glasses, rubber gloves, and
work in a well ventilated area
when finishing.
This guitar looks incredible with a clear finish that
highlights the wood grain patterns. The surface
can be stained prior to finishing or a transparent
pigment can be added to the finish. These instruc
-
tions guide you through a very basic finishing pro
-
cess. Books describing different guitar finishing
techniques are available through luthier supply
catalogs, or through your local library. Clear finish
materials and books on finishing can be ordered
through Grizzly Industrial. Finishing a guitar is a
difficult task. If you are unsure of your skills, do
your research, practice on scrap wood, or take it
to a professional.
Components and Hardware Needed: Qty
Guitar Body .......................................................
1
To finish the guitar body:
1. Mask off the neck pocket (Figure
4). Press
the masking tape tight against the edges of
the pocket so the finish does not seep under
the tape.
2. Screw through the neck pocket screw holes
into a long piece of wood to use for a handle
during spraying. Drill a hole in the end of this
temporary handle for hanging from a hook.
3. Wipe the entire guitar body with a tack cloth
to remove all dust.
4. Thread the hook through the temporary han-
dle and hang the body in the finish room.
Finishing Body