I can't help but like the style of this bass, but you'd better start looking for a chiropractor if it's as big and heavy as it looks in the photos!
The mechanical extensions - I haven't played enough to say for sure, but I don't think I'd want one. Maybe if someone made a complete new one that was really perfect, or if I knew a guy who was really pro at making one work right. The one's I've played (and heard played
) have been less than great...
I think it's interesting how a lot of the Kolstein basses have very prominent slab cut wood in them, when that's something that so many other shops/makers/whatever seem to really avoid. Personally I'm not so comfortable with it, at least in theory, but given how many great old basses were made from similar cuts of wood I tend to think that (long term anyway) my hesitation is unfounded. I can't say I'd be so open minded in buying a new bass, however.