ikay

I had something similar before and it turned out to be a loose tuner. Pluck the strings and then touch each tuner in turn to see if the buzzing stops.

Hmm, it's an odd one but sounds more to do with the venue than anything systemically wrong with the bass.

First thing I'd do is check it again at home or in the rehearsal room to see if the buzz is still there.

A piezo would usually be more suitable for bronze strings I think. I'm pretty sure the Lace is suitable for regular steel core strings. Here are some more details: Designed especially for bass guitar this new passive Lace Sensor bass pickup has an "Ultra Slim" profile that is only 5/16th tall in height. The height allows almost endless adaptations for either acoustic bass or solid body bass. Single design size allows for 4 or 5 string bass guitars. The USAB Sensor can be surface mounted either with wood screws or a mar resistant 3M adhesive tape that is provided with the pickup. Simply slide the pickup under the strings for installation. No routing or cutting is required. The USAB comes with a high quality cable and female end pin jack. The pickup jack can be permanently mounted if so desired. The pickup is humbucking in design and features no noise operation. The pickup consists of 2 Lace Sensor Micro Matrix Comb bobbins, and triple ceramic 8 magnets as part of this new design. It is passive in design, but can be used without any problems with an active pre amp. Available: Black Matte Only. Position: Bridge, Neck Resistance: 15.5k Peak Frequency: 1800

Lace Ultra Slim? - https://www.thomann.de/gb/lace_pickups_ultra_slim_bass_pickup_usab.htm Or a Shadow NanoMag - https://shadowelectronics.com/products/shadow-nanomag-pickup The Epiphone Zenith bass has a NanoMag fitted at the end of the fingerboard - http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Bass/Zenith.aspx

I think the only preamp that will give you everything you need is the John EAst UNI-PRE: http://www.east-uk.com/pdf/uni-pre-features.pdf This gives you active/passive switching (the active path has an active blend and passive path has a passive blend) and the bass, mid and treble controls all have adjustable frequency centres so you can tweak to your taste.

What don't you like about the stock preamp in the VM4? Knowing that might help with suggestions for a replacement.

Here's one with £1.75 postage - https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=225_226_293&products_id=3109

Hard to see from the pic. Is there a spare lug on the output jack (with solder on it) where it looks like it might have come adrift?

Yes DPDT on-on is what you need

The Ric wiring diagram for 2 pickups with 5 knob and mono output is here - http://www.rickenbacker.com/pdfs/19511.pdf This is the equivalent wiring for your 4005 copy. And here's a modified diagram with an added series/parallel switch (modified wiring marked in red). When switched to 'parallel' the bass will function as it does now. When switched to 'series', the two pickups will be in series and only the bass (neck) volume and tone control will work. The existing 3-way switch will need to be set to the bass (neck) pickup for series mode to function.

Looks great. I think I'll get one of these and consign my Fender bag to dust cover duties!

One for sale here in Croatia for 740 Euros https://www.njuskalo.hr/bas-gitare/yamaha-bex-bs-bass-bas-gitara-poluakusticna-magenta-boja-oglas-22180711

Bananas! https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-muscle-cramps-foods

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/defretting-graphite-neck-tuning-into-lined-fretless.681329/

According to the Hipshot dimensions schematic (link below) the main gear housing (the bit with the cog) is the same for all USA ultralite versions so in theory it should be possible to interchange the key/shaft/worm component. The different keys are shown on the second page. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1574/0577/files/206.PDF?5066948558007359183 Note that the USA model has different dimensions to the Licensed model so you won't be able to swap components between the two. Dimensions for the Licensed model are here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1574/0577/files/206K.PDF?147414096911308745

D'Addario EXL170M medium scale set should do the job https://www.amazon.co.uk/DAddario-EXL170M-Regular-045-100-Electric/dp/B000OR2V74

I found this pic of a BP1 board on the Statii forum which shows the middle pin of the tone pot connected to one of the outer pins of the blend pot. The other pin of the tone pot isn't connected to anything. Here's the link to the thread - http://www.statii.com/forum/print.php?type=F&thread=2232