Finishing a black korina bass

[jacobtm]

Hi, I'm Jacob, haven't posted here in a while due to lack of guitar projects, but thoguht I'd come back to sap knowledge from all you guitar geniuses.

So I've got this black korina J-Bass from Warmoth. When I got it, I just assembled it right away without finishing it, and never was able to give it up for long enough to get it properly finished. When I first got it I bought just about everything I thought I'd need to finish it myself, but never got around to it. I bought it nearly 2 years ago.

Now I'm looking to have the bass finished. I really just want it for protection. I'm worried one day someone will just spill a beer all over my bass and that mofo will just drink the whole thing up and be ruined. I'm thinking a basic poly coat would work fine.

So, the question is, at this point, could I possibly finish this bass myself? I've contacted a professional luthier about getting it done, and she said that first it'd likely need an acetone bath, since black korina is such a porous wood and my bass is undoubtedly filled with body oils and other contaminants.

Is this really necessary? Were I to finish it on my own with a poly coat, could problems arise in the future due to the oils trapped under the laquer?

If it is necessary, would it be feasable to proceed with this acetone bath on my own, or is that something I'd definately need a professional to do?

I've never finished a guitar before. I know how to do general maintenance like setups and I can fully wire one on my own, but I've never actually dealth with doing anything to the wood besides drilling bigger holes for pots or different screws.

Thanks for any help,
Jacob

[michaelcbell]

From my limited experience with hardwood floors - get a pro to do it as they have access to and knowledge of the options available to you - and I'd agree on the contaminants issue (at least as far as that they are there). A good clean base is important to solid connection of the finish. In short, pay a pro to do it if you can afford it; if not, buy some acetone, give the axe a good wipe-down and read all the instructions on the finish you buy and follow them.

[crazymanandy]

Yeh, I would give it a good wipe down (or bath) with acetone. As long as you've had it, I'm surprised you didn't get it finished (not usually a good idea to leave it unfinished ). As MCB said, it is important to have a good base when you are finishing wood.

But anyway, I recommend ReRanch products, especially for the first time finisher. I'd get some grain filler, S&S, color, clear, and any finishing supplies you'll need: sandpaper, polish, etc. You can fore go the color if you want a natural finish or would like to stain/dye it.

reranch.com

They also have a good tutorial there, so check it out to.

CMA

[antiquodian]

I've been refinishing for several years, and it's a blast. I just recently got a Warmoth korina Eagle bass body that was unfinished. I've assembled it and play it regularly.

I would have to say, that in my opinion, that this is one wood (wenge is the other) that I would not want to cover up with a finish. It's buttery but grainy texture and feel is so wonderful that I can't imagine a finish that would be an improvement. You want to use grain filler to make the surface glass-smooth, but, to me, the grain is part of its appeal.

If you are concerned about getting it clean, just wipe it down with some naptha (which I use), or, I guess, acetone as suggested.

If you are concerned with moisture and contaminant absorption, maybe you could use tung oil, or, at most, a thin satin nitro finish, but for me, naked is best. If it was a neck that would be another issue, but a body ain't going to warp. Much.

I agree, Reranch and its associated forum is the preeminent source for refinishing. You can do this yourself. I am a klutz, and by being careful and following directions, I get spectacular results.

Enjoy yer bass!

[flateric]

I've finished a couple of bass projects with danish Oil, one was a Warmoth walnut gecko 5-string, the other a Bubinga P-bass. Also a favourite for a mahogany single cut lead guitar project some time back. It's something Hiscox also details in his guitar building book. 2,3 or 4 coats of danish oil, rubbed in with soft cloth, dry well after each coat letting the oil sink into the wood and harden over a couple of days. Then finish off by rubbing in wood finishing wax polish (I think its carnauba-based?) you get a lovely natural lustre adn its a foolproof application method and a great way of protecting the wood.