itu

...and the neck is wide, 19 mm string spacing!

Sorry, I need to meet a pro optometrist! What I like in piezo is the versatility, but it also means quite a lot of adjustments. Wide frequency range gives possibilities, but there's that extra hassle. I think that two outputs and two preamps would be the ultimate solution, but who wants to carry all equipment to the gig, I don't know. All in all, Affirma is a different instrument if you are after something else and want to experiment.

You are about to buy a bass, but the only reason not to get it is a piezo pickup that has an inbuilt preamp? If you think a piezo creates only hiss, you should test the bass. I have had an Affirma 4 (fretted), and now own a fretless 5. Both are from the first batch, 90's.

You want: 1) zing - SS RW 30, 35, or 40 set 2) flatter response - Ni RW 45, or 50 set 3) dull sound - flats or tapewounds But on top of this, you need to find the set that speaks to you under your fingers. Yes, changing strings costs, but the bass may become the machine you want after few trials. And a new bass costs much more.

I wouldn't bother. I expect the price to be irrelevant to the playability and sound it makes. Collectible? No. Soundmachine? There are better alternatives available. If the production year is important, the price does not mean a thing, although the parts are most likely a collection. "Handmade" details lower the price as well as desirability.

20 000 mAh = 20 Ah, which is quite a lot. 20 Ah / 3.25 A = 5 - 7 h (practical amount, and the amp does not consume 65 W all the time it's ON) I think the biggest issue is can you get all the current you need through the bank and the cable. There may be internal limitations in the bank how big a current is possible. If the manufacturer does not give you reasonable specs, you just have to try and find the limits by yourself. USB is not that flexible system that it looks. I would consider a battery pack of the right voltage, and a suitable charger.

I might try an even cheaper parametric pedal, like Artec. It is easier to use to find the frequency area you want to boost or cut.

Some short scales are on the pricey side: http://www.schorrguitars.de/the-owl-bass/ Check how to order for prices.

Come on, it is a mass produced basic product. Before drilling, check the depth! The hole needs to be deep enough for the insert, but you should not drill to the fretboard, or through it. If the hole is not deep enough, you may remove the fretboard while tightening the insert. So hey...

I've seen him live and he sounded so good, but couldn't understand what happened there in the fretboard. Watching and hearing made my brains go crazy.

This operaation is very doable with a pillar drill, yes. You need to attach the neck solidly, and then it is a straightforward action. To attach the inserts, it is also easy with that pillar drill, because you can keep the inserts straight. Here it is done by hand, but you get the idea.

If your tools are accurate enough, you could drill bigger holes for metal inserts. Even then it may be a good idea to fill the holes with wood (maybe glue is not needed, if the inserts are wide enough to cover the old holes). But that requires good equipment, definitely something you cannot do with a hand tool.

Arranged, yes. Jobim has never sounded like this. In your pages you wonder, which bass is he using. I don't have IG, but managed to see one of his solos there. He has a greenish Moollon 5, a Gary Willis Ibanez fretless (GWB1005?), and a J like bass. Amp seems to be an Aguilar. Whatever the bass is, his sound is pretty soft even with a fretted electric (something I like).