Paesold - what's the deal?

[Tomas Bouda]

although...i have noticed that purfling design on countless other basses! i guess its a nice throwback to the vintage ones.

i love the bass. sounds great, and since i've been tuning it in fifths, its had the resonant and singing voice of a cello. there are a few things that i would change though: first of all, its a big bass (4/4) and the depth at upper bout is 8-7/8", which i think is pretty darn thick. also, it came stock with a wittner composite tailpiece (i don't like how it sounds or how it looks compared to the wood) , and the figure of the wood is pretty plain. however, the neck has recently begun to get a lot of noticeable flaming in it. does anyone have any ideas why the flame is coming out 7 years after i've bought this instrument?

a saddle crack developed the first winter here, but it hasn't spread so its stable (but buzzes occasionally). i wonder what the quality on their master grade instruments is - it must be exceptional!