I pretty much only listen to jazz, but don’t play it. I play in a covers band mainly 50’s to 80’s stuff, some of which I probably had never listened to until I joined.
Explain to me the grommets please. I play octave mandola (mandolin if you’re an American) but I have never heard of these and have no idea what they are supposed to do. I always thought going from mandolin to bass or vice versus was kind of strange, I only knew of Chris Hillman and Dave Pegg who did it.
Even if you’re using a hard case, unless it’s one shaped to fit the bass perfectly, wrap the neck at least in bubble wrap. Some people suggest taking the neck off, but that may be ott or just not possible. A customs declaration has to be detailed, so the courier may not know enough.
Some of these sound over complicated. I use a Blackstar headphone amp. Just plug and go. It does have a rhythm machine built in so you can practice playing in time.
You should check them out early Jack Casady’s made by them, all Epi semis. Martin Taylor had a signature model made by them and he’s pretty discerning.
Peerless have made great guitars and basses for other companies, Epiphone, Gretchen etc. They have made some great basses under their own name so show us what you have - Retromatic, Smoke, Bassmaster Player, anything else?,