Hellzero

In the preamp, the unknown opamp is the buffer/adapter for the high impedance jack input that goes to the rectangular transformer (relay switching for direct coupling of the balanced XLR). The middle circular thing is the coil for the EQ (multiple outputs). The right one is the oversized toroidal power transformer. The upper left rectangular plastic thing is the DI transformer. All metal coverings look like Mu-metal... So a no compromise conception indeed.

@LukeFRC : If you have the complete schematic of the Hellborg preamp, please share it. Here are the guts of if :

Super, the unbalanced jack goes into a buffer/impedance adapter and then to the transformer. This preamp is really well thought. Here is what the manual says : "The centre piece of the “Hellborg Amp System” is the Preamp. The input is a combined ¼”/XLR jack providing both low (XLR) and high (¼”) impedance. The input jack is followed by an input transformer. This imparts galvanic signal isolation and the sweetness for which good transformers are known." No need for your Millennia TD-1, you can give it to me. Don't worry, I'll pay the shipping fee. 🤣

This is what the schematic is saying, but as it's a simplified version, I would trust it. Why, simply because of the input impedance matching. Let me take a look at the manual again...

That could be an idea...

It's also missing Peaveytifortyensis Ugliensis.

I'm doing the same as you : no EQ.

The input transformer is for the XLR as it's a combo input. You can read a schematic the right way. 😁

Nice Q-Tuner first edition ! 👍 I still have a pair of these first generation fantastic Q-Tuner's that will be fitted on my new Leduc U-Basse 6 fretless ordered last year that I should get by the end of this year...

Quoting myself as people don't seem to read. 😁😁😁

Yes, that's it.

Played one of a friend last week and it's a really good bass. I usually don't like neck pickups on Jazz Basses, but on this one it sounded simply terrific. In fact I played all of the rehearsal only with this neck pickup, using the detent tone to vary the sound to suit the music (fusion and a bit of pop). The bridge pickup is very good, but too conventional. A player's bass for sure. About the neck, I preferred it to the typical Nothing in the Hand Jazz Bass usual neck. 😉

Still have this :

Traded a bass with Sylvain. Even with some stubborn courier unable to read a correctly labelled address, he managed to get it delivered sound and safe as I couldn't do it as the recipient. The parcel was very well made and the bass was as described. You can deal in total confidence with Sylvain, he'll be in touch all the time. Another great credit to BassChat. 👍

Headless basses tend to have better low B's, better intonation and better string to string balance, just because of the construction as @BigRedX mentioned.

Not that much, it's pretty impressive how it interacts with the wood. So one pass at a time, drying (quite fast) and seeing if it suits your needs.

Of course, as it's only acting on the wood tannins. I've done this on some repairs of my, urm, 400 years old oak wooden floor and then waxed it : you can't tell the difference.

Try on the back of the heel first.

Yes, wipe it with ammonia (don't breathe too much of it) in several passes until you get the desire ageing. This is used to age clear woods for centuries.

Ammonia. Oldest trick ever.