New Project Bass

so my same friend who set me up with his 68 Gibson EB0 also left me this little Epiphone bass. It has some obvious mods, like that piece of iron screwed in diagonally across the pickup for some reason (looks? thumb rest?). I’ve never seen a bridge like that. And there is a random screw hole above the knob plate.
Anyhow, he said I could do what I wanted with it. So I’m going to gut it (are you listening @Nancy1234 ?) and see if I can bring it back to some semblance of glory. The neck seems to be in good shape. The nut needs replacing. The electronics are shot. They get a signal but the hum is louder than the pickup output and the input jack is wonky.
Anyone think this is worth the trouble I’m about to get into? This is would be a much bigger job than my Yamaha.
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I love a good project, especially one like this. My first step, I think, will be to take it apart and clean it up.
I may replace the bridge but it’s kind of cool looking in an industrial metal sort of way.
I’m guessing the pups are just standard J style.
Tuners are in good shape.
So mostly I’m thinking that it needs a good cleaning, some new electronics, and new input jack, strings, and a setup. Maybe a new bridge.
I’ll update as it progresses.

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It begins. (@Nancy1234 )

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Decided to do a matte black distressed finish.
Ordering electronics soon. May do a hot pink pick guard.
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Thanks @two fingers ! I actually have all the stock parts on hand. The bridge I have is a spitting image of yours. I’d never seen one like it until my friend gave me this bass.
I’m looking forward to getting it back up and running.

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Aw come on man. A big pink pg would look dope on this. You know it would!
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drool That’s sweet.
Do you happen to know which jazz pick guard would be the closest fit to this one? It’s an Epiphone/Gibson but their pick gaurd style don’t seem to match like the Fender styles.
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@creaturegods dang thanks man!
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Getting closer. Lined the cavities with copper.

 

So I’m getting closer to full assembly and setup. New nut installed (may need some more work), pups and pots are installed and wired.

 

It is done. I had some soldering issues as I’m not very good at it but I got them worked out. I just did the setup (it was my first one) and it plays nice. The bass is a little small for me but it was a project anyway. Pups and pots sound good and are very quiet. This has been a great learning experience. I can’t believe I’ve been paying $100+ for setups. I’m still going to replace the pick guard and get new screws all around. But, for the most part, it is done.
@Nancy1234
Now it’s on to the next one.