a scrunchie on the neck is always a good option, personally i tend not to do that, ive had this bass built with a zero fret, so that minimizes resonation from other strings, but i rarely use open strings, ive found that, especailly because of my style, fretting what would be the open note is easier for me any way.
as it goes, i only own 4 string basses at the moment, ive always been interested in ER basses, so i stepped up to a conklin 7 a while ago, but sold it on this very site a few months back to raise more funds for this bass, the conklin 7 took a while to get used to for sure, as im sure this one will, but when i was playing the conklin 7 i was almost inspired purley because of the extra strings to write some of the best pieces ive written, but i still wanted more strings! so 13 months ago i started having this 10 string beast built.
you should check out yves carbonne or jean baudin. yves plays 10 string unmarked fretless (thats beyond me, i dont understand how he does what he does!) jean plays 13 string basses. both obscene players!
infact jean was an excellent source for advice when choosing who to have build it.
have a look at www.beebasses.com run by Fred bolton, the very man whos building mine.
Peace.
Russ.