Actually, that stone age bridge is partly responsible for the unique sound of the bass. I owned an original around 1960-my first bass. I own a re-issue series long scale DC model from about 10 years ago which also has the wood topped bridge. It's actually a pretty good bass for the money.
I've played the model with the metal bridge and upgraded large tuning machines. It just doesn't sound quite the same.
Intonation freaks will complain about the fixed bridge, but in practice the bass plays perfectly alright and in tune up and down the neck. It does best with lighter gauge strings. The originals used roundwound strings, but a lot of guys use flats now. I like the flats better myself.
I wouldn't want to put a high tension set of strings on that very skinny neck but with the low tension Thomastics I use I have no problems.
The originals were pretty roughly built and things like bad pots, bent tuning pegs, bad paint jobs, bowed necks, uneven frets and the vinyl edging peeling off could be problems. The re-issues are built much better, have excellent fretwork, stable necks as long as the string tension isn't too high, very tough and well buffed paint work and the truss rod works well. Mine is about 10 years old, has been played a lot and still looks and plays like new. It wouldn't be my choice as an only bass, but it's a nice change from the others every once in a while and the super light weight can be a relief during a long gig.
