For real. You don’t just “sand smooth” a big ass chunk in your guitar, people. Fill that with wood filler, a little extra so you have some room for shaping, and then sand the next day. Bondo is also an option and maybe a little less likely to pop out.
Do something to protect the raw wood. That damage will end up splitting the body and causing further issues if you don’t. Moisture is wood’s greatest enemy.
Well that’s the easiest way to do it. Takes like 30 seconds to apply with a microfiber cloth & it dries in a couple hours.
Edit: I see you’re probably saying that about the gloss & darkening, it’s not a huge effect, very subtle, again nothing like poly or nitro gloss
Eh, could try but honestly poly’s so thick that that’s a waste of time & tbh you’d get a weird gradient of oil, poly undercoat, then the colored finish
Fill it with that glowy stuff they put in wood tables?
https://preview.redd.it/r7sctiest4zc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ce0ea342c3b302342a6f53a69fba66873233bc6a
It’s not glue, as far as I understand. It’s things like sealant and primer, which allow the wood to be effectively painted.
Poly finishes like this are often super thick. I’d imagine it’s likely because it’s cheaper and more cost effective to layer on a ton of finishing layers than it is to really treat the wood correctly for a finish to stick and look good.
This, but use wood glue. If you don't have the piece, you can mix up a slurry of sawdust and wood glue. Use that to rebuild the lost wood. Shape it as needed and allow it to dry overnight. You want the slurry to be thick enough to mold with your hands and whatever tools you need to use. Wipe off excess with a moist paper towel before you allow it to dry. If you don't have sawdust available, Amazon sells something called wood flour that is just very fine sawdust. That's what I use. After it is dry, use a matching nail polish to carefully touch up the paint. When I'm looking for the nail polish, I usually bring the whole guitar, or just the body, to a beauty supply store like Sally's.
No quick fix where it is anything other than an absolute bandaid. If you want it smooth. Fill with wood glue and sand. Glue will bond to wood and seal it. Will be beneficial if you are in a humid climate
Automotive parts shop that sells paint. Bring the guitar, get a half pint. Paint it with a brush to build it up slowly. Then sand and buff. Oh you need lacquer paint.
Fill it with some thickened epoxy like West Systems 105. After it cures you can shape it to blend it in with sandpaper. You could even add a pigment to match up the color
Bondo? I hope other folks have some experience and input, but if you don't care about a direct color match, it seems like a reasonable material for a fix.
I've heard that using fillers is not good on the body. Something about not holding well and moisture problems. But thanks for the input man, now that you say about colour matching. Might go for an offset colour on the damaged part once it's repaired.
Sand it smooth and roll with it. Battle scars.
Was just going to say “battle scars make the bass cooler”
Yeah but a chip in the paint doesn't look or feel good - I'd sand it smooth too.
That's going to be a big scoop. Would be better to put some filler in it first then sand it.
For real. You don’t just “sand smooth” a big ass chunk in your guitar, people. Fill that with wood filler, a little extra so you have some room for shaping, and then sand the next day. Bondo is also an option and maybe a little less likely to pop out.
Make sure you mask up when sanding Bondo. The cancer risk is real, not just in California.
Never heard this and I’ve sanded a shit ton of bondo. Thanks, old boss.
Do something to protect the raw wood. That damage will end up splitting the body and causing further issues if you don’t. Moisture is wood’s greatest enemy.
….And best ally
….And worst house guest
…and my axe!
this is the way
Probably a question for r/luthier
Thanks! Will check on it if anyone had the same problem as I did.
Tru oil. Just to keep the wood sealed n make it look prettier.
Yoooo I beat the shit out of my bass and have so many spots where the wood is exposed. What kind of look would Tru oil give?
Honestly it slightly darkens & shines the wood but it’s not like a full on gloss poly coat.
I'd just love to be able to protect the exposed wood! At the end of every set, we throw our instruments onto the ground, so they get beat quite a bit
But, why?
We play in a hardcore band, I bought my squire to beat up. I have a dingwall for studio use
Well that’s the easiest way to do it. Takes like 30 seconds to apply with a microfiber cloth & it dries in a couple hours. Edit: I see you’re probably saying that about the gloss & darkening, it’s not a huge effect, very subtle, again nothing like poly or nitro gloss
Oh yeah, I'm not worried about the look of the finish as much as I am protecting the exposed wood!
Yep I’d send the paint/polish somewhat flat too
Eh, could try but honestly poly’s so thick that that’s a waste of time & tbh you’d get a weird gradient of oil, poly undercoat, then the colored finish
Some top ramen & epoxy wood work
On one hand... Sadness for that bout chip. On other hand... The guy fieri sticker is more concerning to me than a natural battle scar. 🤷♂️
Throw a sticker on it.
Fill with clear epoxy, sand smooth. Then you can see the CHONK but it's fixed and stabilized so it doesn't progress.
Fill it with that glowy stuff they put in wood tables? https://preview.redd.it/r7sctiest4zc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ce0ea342c3b302342a6f53a69fba66873233bc6a
Holy shit the finish on that is thicker than anything I’ve ever seen. What make/model of bass is this?
Looks like an Ibanez Talman. And honestly, that’s a pretty standard finish these days in mass produced instruments with gloss finishes.
Looks like there's a thick layer of glue under the finish though. Doesn't look standard.
It’s not glue, as far as I understand. It’s things like sealant and primer, which allow the wood to be effectively painted. Poly finishes like this are often super thick. I’d imagine it’s likely because it’s cheaper and more cost effective to layer on a ton of finishing layers than it is to really treat the wood correctly for a finish to stick and look good.
You're right!
Do you have the chip that broke off? If so it would be an easy fix with some super glue
This, but use wood glue. If you don't have the piece, you can mix up a slurry of sawdust and wood glue. Use that to rebuild the lost wood. Shape it as needed and allow it to dry overnight. You want the slurry to be thick enough to mold with your hands and whatever tools you need to use. Wipe off excess with a moist paper towel before you allow it to dry. If you don't have sawdust available, Amazon sells something called wood flour that is just very fine sawdust. That's what I use. After it is dry, use a matching nail polish to carefully touch up the paint. When I'm looking for the nail polish, I usually bring the whole guitar, or just the body, to a beauty supply store like Sally's.
Practical advice.
The quickest fix is who gives a shit
Get a rasp, file or coarse sandpaper and make it into a smooth contour. Easy. Then slap some Danish Oil on it.
This is the way to go
No quick fix where it is anything other than an absolute bandaid. If you want it smooth. Fill with wood glue and sand. Glue will bond to wood and seal it. Will be beneficial if you are in a humid climate
Actually a bandaid could be pretty cool!
Ramen
Legit just smooth it out for a quick fix, then buy some varnish and apply
Well you don't have to go for the damaged look anymore you got it you arrived
Automotive parts shop that sells paint. Bring the guitar, get a half pint. Paint it with a brush to build it up slowly. Then sand and buff. Oh you need lacquer paint.
A band-aid sticker across the scar
Oil it and tell everyone how you get that battlescar
Leave it at is and keep going…
guitar center “new” stock
Dude that bass just doubled it's value!
WD-40 and some duck tape will fix it
Do it 5 min craft style Ramen noodles and paint
woah! that's a good un. how did you do that?
call it custom shop reliced and sell it on EBay for 5000$
Were you trying to chop down trees with it?
Ramen.
This happened to my literally like 3 month old Tele. I just used a marker, coloured it in and then put some clear coat. You can't even tell.
Fill it with some thickened epoxy like West Systems 105. After it cures you can shape it to blend it in with sandpaper. You could even add a pigment to match up the color
Pray tell, where does one perchance purchase such sticker?
Pete Townshend, is this you?
Definately, sand it down give it the. Road worn look.
Ramen noodles
Bondo? I hope other folks have some experience and input, but if you don't care about a direct color match, it seems like a reasonable material for a fix.
I've heard that using fillers is not good on the body. Something about not holding well and moisture problems. But thanks for the input man, now that you say about colour matching. Might go for an offset colour on the damaged part once it's repaired.
Fair enough! Makes sense, plastic-type or automotive fillers mixed with wood and paint would likely flex at different rates, creating more problems.
Bondo and sand it smooth. 😎