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Why am I not seeing the OPs very first post with pics, my view starts out with the first comment??
If I'd wired this it would be a lot neater.
Looks like you have the Cafe Walter piezo buffer pre amp in there. These are a nice addition to this bass.
There's obviously an art to setting these basses up, you can't adjust the bridge so you have neck tilt and neck relief as your only parameters. Nearly there...
I was just going to recommend that the OP look into this Cafe Walter buffer. It's supposed to be a great addition to this bass. Awesome that it is already installed!
If you have lots of time, and patience, you can replace the bridge and/or nut to get some more adjustments. I don't like to shim under-saddle piezos, but I'm not against making a new, higher one to raise the action, or sanding down one to lower the action.
I haven't gone so far as trying to make a compensating saddle (most often seen on acoustic guitars), but that's an option, too, but maybe not necessary for a fretless?
I've had quite a run of NBDs so far this year in my search for lighter weight basses but this is probably last or maybe last but one... an 89/90 fretless PBAC to replace my '70s fretless P-bass which is now in the out tray. Wasn't sure if I'd like the PBAC but it's a great bass! Needs some luthier attention as the fingerboard has a little hump around 3-5 on the treble side interestingly just like the '70s one had but other than that it's pretty good for 30+ years. Lots of tone options with active Lace Sensor mag and piezo bridge and that is such a great look, I think it's a keeper
[Edit] black nylon tapewounds and chrome dome knobs are my additions.
That's a great looking bass!I've had quite a run of NBDs so far this year in my search for lighter weight basses but this is probably last or maybe last but one... an 89/90 fretless PBAC to replace my '70s fretless P-bass which is now in the out tray. Wasn't sure if I'd like the PBAC but it's a great bass! Needs some luthier attention as the fingerboard has a little hump around 3-5 on the treble side interestingly just like the '70s one had but other than that it's pretty good for 30+ years. Lots of tone options with active Lace Sensor mag and piezo bridge and that is such a great look, I think it's a keeper
[Edit] black nylon tapewounds and chrome dome knobs are my additions.
That's a great looking bass!
Can you discuss the tone compared to a "regular" P bass a little? Is it s completely different bass altogether? Thanks.
That is a really interesting bass actually, I was also in the market for one before. I love these oddball japanese Fenders. They're the only ones who dare to make something non-traditional.
There's also very few information on it. It sometimes goes by the name of PBAC-100. Sometimes PBAC-950. No one really knows the difference. It also came under the name of HMT, but with a tilted hockey stick headstock.
Did you check if the battery is hanging loose inside? Seems to be a common problem on these.
I recently purchased a PBAC 950. I already have a J Bass and thought I would look for a P Bass (well. . .do I need a reason???) and that's when I came across the PBAC's and was able to purchase the 950.I've had quite a run of NBDs so far this year in my search for lighter weight basses but this is probably last or maybe last but one... an 89/90 fretless PBAC to replace my '70s fretless P-bass which is now in the out tray. Wasn't sure if I'd like the PBAC but it's a great bass! Needs some luthier attention as the fingerboard has a little hump around 3-5 on the treble side interestingly just like the '70s one had but other than that it's pretty good for 30+ years. Lots of tone options with active Lace Sensor mag and piezo bridge and that is such a great look, I think it's a keeper
[Edit] black nylon tapewounds and chrome dome knobs are my additions.
you can also file the bridge saddle same as you would the nutThere's obviously an art to setting these basses up, you can't adjust the bridge so you have neck tilt and neck relief as your only parameters. Nearly there...