Hellzero

Just to make you think about it, DPD is a branch of the French Post and DHL is a branch of the German Post... I don't think there is anything else to say.

Here is the condition of the misdirected parcel, so a day later, that I received from DPD today, here in the South of Belgium. It left the Music Store warehouse totally intact 3 days ago. And it's always like that: They simply don't give a shìt about the parcels. No comment! Thankfully, there was no damage to the master keyboard inside. They are the only courier with which I have these problems over here and I also have lodged a complaint for the lost/stolen parcel, of course.

As @fretmeister said, and of course always document your packing process with photos that you send to the recipient and keep records of all photos of the instruments before shipping for insurance purposes, so you can confirm its condition. I've literally sent hundreds of parcels worldwide with only two problems: A stolen parcel in the unlocked French Post delivery van and a totally damaged parcel by Parcel Force. Both were fully insured and fully reimbursed after a full inquiry. In fact, making a real bomb proof parcel takes a lot of time as nothing must be able to move, and everything must be highly protected. At the moment, DPD has lost a parcel I was waiting and has misdirected parcels so many times that's it's ridiculous. And remember that the cheapest courier is certainly not the best.

You can do it perfectly with your router and simple guides locking the motion on the left and right to the desired length of the said router, in just six passes.

Trouble free shipping is UPS or FedEx when it comes to international shipping wherever you are located: I know it's more expensive, but you can trust them. DPD wouldn't be my recommendation at all, too many issues with them like parcels touring Europe before delivery, and lost or damaged parcels are their routine.

Or you can use this already made template: https://www.crimsonguitars.com/products/humbucker-0-5-12-7mm Or ask them what they have for this job...

For this kind of work, as it simply is two rectangles, I use this jig, but they have become rather expensive... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trend-Varijig-System-Adjustable-Frame/dp/B001UQ5PDK/

What @AndyTravis said!

Hélas, there is no right out of the box control plate for these Japanese Jazz Basses except being sure it's coming from one of these basses. Before buying ask for the dimensions if they are not stated or put a very specific request here (with the dimensions) : https://www.basschat.co.uk/forum/22-items-wanted/

It reminds that when I started making this job many many many ... many moons ago, I was doing it in the attic at my parents house at ... whatever hour it was, so sometimes very late in the night or pretty early in the night... The following day was the day of the argument with ... guess who. 🤦🏻🤔😂

Don't forget to "mist" the atmosphere to avoid dust deposit.

I'm still using the one my father bought 50 to 60 years ago, but it only goes up to 10 mm and uses a screwdriver handle, so hard on the palm of the hand. 😉

Or you can use this tool, if you're doing it slowly, it will be very good: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264935588930

The best way to do it is with a router, Chris.

Not powerful enough to be efficient, your pickups will move way too easily. Good trick for guitar pickups, but not for bass pickups, especially if you rest your thumb on them to play. 😉

I'm using this neoprene foam instead of the very very very expensive short lengths sold by Fender, Thomann and the likes. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Longx150mm-Widex20mm-Insulation-Vibration-Furniture/dp/B09KTSNQY1/ You'll have enough for the rest of your life and you can reduce their thickness very easily with a simple cutter and create made to measure durable pickup height foam.

Excellent news!

And here, a young Hadrien proudly posing with my former Leduc MNV6 fretless that I sold him.

Not on fretless, but with the very difficult task to succeed Anthony Jackson with Hiromi and he's very good at it, too bad the end of the video is quite abrupt.

Listen to this excellent cover:

To me, Hadrien Féraud is better on the fretless as he's more expressive and less prone to show off. Thanks @lowdown for sharing these two videos that I saw when they were first released. Too bad I can't find a physical support of these sessions, a CD to put it simple...