three

That looks like a vermillion facing and in superb condition - really beautiful!

No problem and I see what you mean about maple and chrome. The replacement process implies complete removal of the original heat-bonded gold logo and some flatting of the pickup cover. I've replaced a few logos where the original has almost vanished (to be honest, it makes the process a little easier). I'm pretty sure I've seen the Clown's Vomit covers - a really interesting addition!

Beautiful - if you're looking to re-fin the pickups and add new gold logos, drop me a PM - I had some logos made by a very high-end model shop (horrendously expensive but an unbelievably good job). I've also been through the process of applying them to several pickups and refinishing the surface of the latter. A painstaking process but the results are very good (IMO). I was going to offer the transfers on the Alembic site (with Mica's permission, of course) but she didn't get back.

Little to report other than I'm considering having my fretless fretted - that way it would get much more use. It's just sat in a mate's studio at present. I still play fretless but could get by with something a bit less elaborate. This all might be a bit nuts and I've certainly not convinced myself yet. A look at that lovely unmarked board certainly makes me think twice

Depends on the bass really. For a Fender-type, Gotoh FB30s (lollipops - the '66 J with dots and bound board with lollipop tuners makes me weak at the knees). For anything more 'modern', preferably an Alembic, it would be Schaller M90s - the 40% reduction in weight would be welcome.

Thanks - I despise locking jacks (and actually find them potentially dangerous) - I have loads on basses and preamps. I'm about to make the mod.

Have a look for BC member Steve Browning's excellent posts on the TT800 - I think Steve has a couple and is a long-time Mesa user. The downside with Mesa is the wait and it's possible that the TT800 won't make it to UK shores (and time soon anyway) - just a few units were shipped to the UK prior to the onset of various crises and getting hold of any Mesa gear new in UK/Europe has become highly problematic. Getting hold of a TT800 is particularly problematic. I was on the waiting list but abandoned the wait - not a bad thing as after hearing a TT800 up close, I realise that it wouldn't suit me at all and would have been going back. Still, if it's your kind of thing, then a great choice. Edit: found the link to Steve's review:

Some great ideas above, some of which I've used. Recently, I've been using an Aguilar Tone Hammer with some success - there's a drive function that seems more than adequate, though its something that I don't use. It's a very hot unit so a bit of care required with gain and output, though a really useful and powerful EQ section. Essentially, it's an Aguilar OBP3 in a box (and the latter is one of my favourite on-board pres). Another alternative with a really fantastic EQ section is the Mesa Subway 800D plus - I had one until a few months ago and it really is a very well-built pre with an excellent feature set. I probably shouldn't have sold it as they're not easy to find (especially in more recent times).

A lot of people seem to be using (and enjoying) GSS Sumo and Baby Sumo amps - there's a link here: https://www.guitarsoundsystems.com/gss-baby-sumo-ampxlite-bass-guitar-power-amp-c2x21844846

First, I'm not a great fan of the aesthetics of the JD 2, and I really don't care what JD plays or whether he writes his own parts. That said, I do get a great deal of pleasure from hearing and watching JD play (alongside no small amount of envy). Thanks @drTStingray for the link!

Every fretless I’ve owned - a status graphite necked apart - had dead or dull spots at or close to where the OP describes. Frustrating but almost inevitable in my experience

A really easy and friendly deal with Paul - he very kindly drove over to collect a bass. Communications throughout were brilliant and payment was incredibly prompt. Great to have a chance to meet and to talk bass. An entirely upstanding and very knowledgeable member of our community - deal in absolute confidence

Sorry, it's a Gillett

Apologies, I really should have provided some further context. I've been playing fretless for well over thirty years and enjoy it immensely - I won't be giving-up either, I have another fretless that meets my needs and that will remain fret-free. The two basses for which I'm considering the addition of frets are both short-scale (30.75" and 31.5" respectively) and I much prefer to play fretted short-scales. Indeed, I play fretted shorties almost all of the time, though weirdly (perhaps) prefer to play long-scale fretless. There's something about the feel of a long-scale fretless that is just right for me, especially a graphite neck with an unlined phenolic board. I don't use fret-lines on a fretless and play by listening/feel rather than watching what I'm doing (most of the time, at least). In addition, I tend to play fretless seated - I struggle with long-scales on a strap and tend to suffer backache as a result of the extra stretch, even with a nicely balanced instrument. @Bunion Thanks - I'm a fairly active member of the Alembic Club - I could put the bass up for a swap as you suggest, but the likelihood that somebody would have a small-bodied, short-scale SII with a similar spec to mine (in the UK) is pretty small I'd have thought. I'm pretty sold on the SII electronics and pickups too - I have a SCD and whilst it sounds wonderful, it's not the same as the SII. Some great ideas and advice here and again, thanks. I'm erring on the side of selling the electro-acoustic but still weighing-up how to proceed with the Alembic.I'm off shopping next so some kitchen twine. I have loads of cable ties too (small size) so I can give that a go, though the favourite so far is half round wire - plenty on Etsy.

Thanks - I can certainly see the logic here! Unfortunately, the electro acoustic is no longer in production, and a fretted version of the Alembic… well, you can imagine. I’m certainly in two minds here - having the solid body fretted is likely to be very expensive (as you suggest) and would probably reduce its value, though it would make it much more useable and I’ve not really considered selling