Simon, you're quite welcome man. I haven't been back to the post/s but I know there's some good advice in there. Unless a guitar/bass fell (rare but does happen) you can bet on it being in the finish. And if it had fell you'd see other damage to confirm that. Wood breathes/moves and the finish doesn't seem to so. I've had a few with that and caused a couple as well. Thanks for the reply......
Simon, not a public speaker so... That crack looks to be finish only. Not unusual. I'd get a good match nail polish/or paint and Q-Tip it in the crack and wipe off the excess. Maybe 2-3 times if needed? I've had them actually pop out/off and glued them back in. Nice bass and don't sweat this..... Leroy
Sir, my Ibanez PNB14E Parlor bass conversion to Road Toad Pahoehoe strings is in swing. Turns out the Ibanez peg holes are just larger than the bushings on the Pahoehoe strings. I need a washer to secure the bushing behind the bridge plate. Question: What material would be best for the washer? The bass has an under-saddle piezo pickup. Does it matter? Rubber? Wood? Plastic? Metal? Many thx Sir.