hooky_lowdown

The scarcity and rarity of the original fender basses will always command a premium price. They may go up or down slightly, but they will only ever increase in value. This is until in a couple or so decades time when or if some other brand is seen as a classic and becomes desirable and rare, then things may change. But until then, original fender 50s, 60s and early 70s guitars and basses will only go up in price. Unlike the art market where prices for famous paintings can fluctuate wildly, which is primarily based on authenticity, instruments can be dated far easier thus hold there commodity better.

If the neck is flat with the strings on, whats the problem? With strings off there should be a upward bow in the middle, thats normal.

I've never heard of a slack truss rod causing backbow. However, hex core are higher tension, some high tension roundwound brands include Fender, D'Addario and Rotosound. Avoid brands like Ernie Ball, Warwick, DR, Elities, Dunlop, GHS, Picato and LaBella - all medium tension.

SB 50

The OP just wants a general consensus, and for a one off show. There's no need to debate anything, which was why I suggested do any top 20 google search for bass players. The "simple" was a reference to doing a quick search, not deciding who are the best bass players. That has been done to death, and quite frankly bores me.

Just do a Google search for 20 best bass players, you'll get a list of players of various genre's. Simple. 😃

The magic in vintage instruments is the worn in feel, it can be mimiced but never as good as the genuine article. Plus years and years of wear, smoke and beer. Old wood has its own tonal qualities which just can't be mimiced.

It's been discussed here alot, have a look around. The reason people like the old basses is because they're worn in, i.e the neck has soft edges and feels real nice in the hand. Also they like the relic aesthetic. Are old basses worth it, yes and no. If you like the genuine, authenticity then yes. However, the MIM Fender roadworn, has a worn in feel, worn in look, although all artificially done, and a fraction of the cost of the originals. Both will sound the same or at least very similar, both will feel the same, although the original will feel slightly nicer. So it depends on what you hold greatest - authenticity or cost. The Squier CV range are very good, but not the same as original fenders, for feel, sound, playability, the fender is superior. The old fenders are made of high quality parts, which have lasted 45-60 years and still going strong. The CV range I doubt will get close to that. The CV range are really nice for what they are, but the difference between an original fender and a CV is almost night and day. As mentioned, the QC is hit and miss, I'm always sceptical about 60s/70s fenders in almost mint condition. People would strip the paintwork, modify them if they were "players" back in the 70s and 80s, but those left under the bed for 50 years - I'm always unsure about!

Thinking a gold pickguard instead of black would look awesome. 😎

My post was referring to the full scale flats discussed above. Try and fit full scale flats through those tuners, I guess they wouldn't.

Nash (US), Limelight and Bravewood (UK) make relic basses.

The OPs bass is a short scale with tiny tuners. Standard long scale flats won't fit!

Why are you wanting to change the strings? The ones on your bass look like flatwounds. Flatwounds only get better with age and can easily last 10-15 years of fairly heavy playing. You don't need to replace them, unless a string is broken!

For more aggressive and punchy sound you want overwound.

Strings off is fine. Necks are primarily affected by climate, swings in temperature and humidity especially. Keep it in a room where the temperature doesn't change too much and it'll be perfectly fine. You could keep the strings off for many months, even years, and you may or may not only have to adjust the truss rod only a very tiny bit.

You may want to post in the "Wanted" section on this forum.

None, even HB's own brand pickguards don't fit. There is a vid on YouTube of a guy with the same bass fitting a black HB pickguard, and encountering problems.