[stan haskins]

Well, after the change of seasons (the end of the bass's first winter), all the above-mentioned problems have gone away! There is height between the strings and FB (I could finally lower teh bridge adjusters this week), plenty of tension across all the strings, and a big sound under the bow again. The rattle is gone, too. This bass is like a totally different instrument between the summer and winter.

I suppose I should really take it to a luthier in the winter this year to get it winterized. I suppose It'll need a winter post to make it playable year-round.