Clevan Bass - Rusty Bridge and Shorted Wiring

Sometimes instruments are sent to me for the bare minimum due to cost concerns. Such is the case with this Clevan PJ four-string bass. It lives in a jamming studio and has been used and abused by countless would-be bass players since day one. So, it's no wonder that the bridge is a rusted wreck; and the pickups dead. I've been tasked with replacing the bridge and rewiring the whole thing. And if the pickups are well and truly dead; replace them. The thoughtful studio boss has even provided me with a set of P and J pickups, plus a replacement bridge.

Well, I've replaced the bridge after lots of careful measurement. You know, measure twice, cut/drill once; that sort of thing. As for the pickups, lo and behold -- they're still alive and kicking! Turns out it was shorted wiring that put this bass in a coma. Sometimes, less is more when it comes to the amount of solder one uses. Use too much, and the overflow/drip can create unwanted connections; shorting out your pots or other electronics. I'd have liked to have done more for this bass, like replace those tiny crappy pots with Alpha A500Ks; and the output jack with at least a Neutrik/Rean NYS229. However, the bottom line is that you do what the client tells you to do -- no more, no less.