How to breathe new life into my old Ken Smith??

[David Newcomb]

Hi!

I bought Ken Smith #041 about 13 years ago on West 48th st in NY and she was well used at that point in time. Add 13 years- 4 of which she got played constantly on stage in a catskills cover band upstate, and many years of unfortunate neglect in the original hard shell case from after I got married.

Her current condition is fair (electronics poor)- desparately in need of a refinish, fret job, and possibly the pickups need to be rewound.

The preamp is kinda shot- dirty pots that cut out and a jack that needs replacement. The preamp is a sealed one piece unit i think with the initials HAZ (its been a while since i had the backplate off).

The pickups are blade humbuckers with WOOD casments (rosewood i think) that make this almost one of a kind instrument.

All told it still sings like a queen- this bass is a slappers delight! It would be nice if i could get her back into full professional condition, but to trust a different luthier might be disasterous- any ideas would be apprieciated!