tommorichards

If it's a passive model, each coil goes to a separate volume pot. Otherwise, I'd go parallel into an active preamp or series with no preamp

Where are you located?

I'd probably try a dye designed for use on wood instead of leather, if it were me that is.

Couple things I'd check first. Kept the gain low and use the master volume to avoid distortion, as those buttons will increase certain frequencies and push the preamp. Second, is get some contact cleaner and spray it into the gap around the button while pressing each one in and out about 20-30 times to loosen any dirt that may be affecting the signal. Third, do the same with the contact cleaner on the volume controls while twiddling them to again remove any debris. Question, what are you settings when this happens, or does it happen at any volume?

I was literally about to suggest a Cork. But not to the extent of your brilliant velcro inclusion.

As I'm not too sure how bad the wear is, but I'd recommend lemon oil, (Dunlop make the most popular one), and some 0000 grade wire wool to buff it out. If the colour is still not right, get some dark leather dye and apply it to the fingerboard. That should do it.

If you haven't found the answer, I'd assume either 1.5mm or 2mm. More then likely metric.

Id try and find a pickup with a similar resistance to the one currently in the bass to keep the volumes balanced. I'd probably go with a seymour duncan alnico MM pickup. I'd also keep the original in the bridge position, and put the new one in the neck position.

In answer to your original question, yes its possible. Over the years, many guitar and bass owners have stripped the finish off the body and made it natural. Just sand it down, make sure all the paint is removed, then either use a clear varnish, or some sort of wood finishing product.

If the pickups go directly to the blend pot, then your 250k blend pot shouldn't cause any issues as the output from it to the preamp would be the same as directly from the pickups.

Any plans to bring this back?

It sounds like there is either a poor wire connection somewhere, or the preamp may be shorting out on the shielding. Cover the underside (where all the solder is) of the preamp board in some sort of tape (masking, duct, electrical, doesnt really matter as long as it sticks) and try it.

A varitone switch is the only major mod you could do with a precision bass. However, you could fit a switch, which when activated, shuts the pickup signal directly to the jack, bypassing the volume and tone pots. It gives the bass a more treble sound.

After being in a similar position when I was younger, I found that an active preamp is the first place to start, as most mm style pickups give a relatively sufficient stingray sound. Preamp wise, the retrovibe one is probably the best and most cost effective one to go for, as it uses the stingray preamp schematic, but uses cheaper parts, hence the lower cost, though looking at them now, theyve jumped up in cost, as I used to see them for £40ish. The cheap 2 band Chinese ones tend to boost the volume too much and can distort the amplifier too easily. But can give you a rough approximation towards the sound. Pickup wise, if you want close to the stingray sound, go for any open pole (ie the magnets are on show, like the stingray) mm shaped pickup. Try and find one with a resistance of roughly 8ohms, as the lower resistance get closer to the sound you're after. Ceramic pickups (that have magnets on the bottom of the poles, found mostly on cheap chinese pickups) work okay, but the alnico ones (no magnet on the bottom) get you a bit closer. As an ex poor teenager RHCP fan, I hope this helps get you where you need to be.

I'm going to cast my vote for a nut issue, which in 97% sure it will be. If the slot is too wide, the string can rattle in there, causing your issue. I doubt it would be the pickup height unless they're practically touching the strings.

In my experience, its never a guitar or bass player who buys model guitars. It's always family and friends who know their favourite band, and it's either for Christmas or birthdays.

Thanks Dad. I wasnt sure if it had to be bass specific or allowed anything. I may do. Theres a few weeks left of the month.

I have a sabre preamp that I recently made for a friend who no longer wants it. Annoyingly, because of the specific pot values required, it has both split and solid shaft pots. If anyone wants it for £25 posted, let me know.

Can someone clue me in as to the details of this composition challenge?

That was all kinds of fun. Sounded brilliant. Cant wait for another one.

Just on this point, by vintage style wire, i assume you mean the waxy cloth covered wire? If so, its designed to be pushed back to expose the wire to be soldered, and is sometimes referred to as "push back wire". While i know you've finished the bass, which looks excellent and very smartly done, at least you know for the future. As a side note, i use the vintage cloth wire as much as i can, as i'm a sucker for neat and tidy vintage wiring.