Cleaning, fixing and setting up free bass

[ZB3]

Well I was just blessed with a new to me bass. A dear friend gave me a Zeta Crossover bass. The bass needs new strings and cleaned up. It has a natural finish and rosewood fingerboard. It does not have the holes for a bout. Since I am new to EUBs I have a few questions.

1)What height should the strings be and measured from where? The bridge is adjustable. How low of an action can I go and what effect does that have on playability and tone?

2) How flat do I adjust the neck?

3) What strings work well on the Zeta? On their website Zeta mentions D'addario Chromes (Flatwounds) as an option for strings. I like to use a light set of strings because of my hands. (I use 40-60-80-100 on my EB) Should I get the Chromes or are there any other brands of strings that would sound good for this bass as well?

4) The finish is very dirty with some wear. What do you guys use for cleaning and preserving a natural wood finish? Zeta mentioned a paste wax. Any other options? Any good way to cover up the sctratches?

5) I have used a guitar neck honey formula for my rosewood EB fingerboards. Will this work for the Zeta or should I try and find some lemon oil?

6) I would like to try and play the bass in the upright position. The bass does have the adjustable endpin. This Zeta Crossover does not have the two holes for the optional bout though. (I would have to send the bass back to the factory to be retro-fitted for a nominal cost) Any ideas on how I can support the bass so I can try upright playing without sending it back? Is there a makeshift bout that could work? Do people prefer this bass in the upright postion or slung like an electric bass?

Sorry for all of the questions but I would like to bring this bass back into a player. Thanks for any and all replies, Wayne

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by ZB3

1)What height should the strings be and measured from where? The bridge is adjustable. How low of an action can I go and what effect does that have on playability and tone?

Given the 34" crossover's scale, I guess it should use the same height as a BG?
The lower you get, the more fretless zing you get.
The higher you get, the more DB-like tone you get.
Just try a few settings and stick to what you like.
On a DB, the height is measured at the end of the fingerboard.

2) How flat do I adjust the neck?

It must not be flat!
A fingerboard should always have a scoop.
I suggest you browse the Setup & Repair a bit.
Some readings:
What's the Scoop?
Too Much Mwah
Fingerboard relief ??

However, the scoop on your neck should be less than on a DB neck, since you have a shorter scale.

3) What strings work well on the Zeta? On their website Zeta mentions D'addario Chromes (Flatwounds) as an option for strings. I like to use a light set of strings because of my hands. (I use 40-60-80-100 on my EB) Should I get the Chromes or are there any other brands of strings that would sound good for this bass as well?

The Chromes are nice strings.
You can also try tape-wounds.
There are many brands.
(I suppose the pickup is piezo)

[ZB3]

Thank you, Wayne