I was in a Discount Tire store in Scottsdale, AZ in the middle of summer getting a puncture repaired. While there, a big 7 series Beamer rolled in on the rims. A Gen-Z trophy wife got out and said there was something wrong with her tires. The service guy asked her when was the last time she put air in them. She replied “You have do to that?” The service guy and I just cracked up. 
Driving on the rims had destroyed the tires. She needed 4 new ones. Nice big bill for her sugar daddy.
Short intermezzo while waiting for the pickguard paint to dry so I can sand it: repairing my old Pioneer CT-777 tape deck.
I wanted to sell it and while testing it before sales I discovered that all belts were melted away.
Never seen anything like that!
The end of a great adventure - all HB basses are done, yay!
It’s kind of a double post, but just to wrap it up I repeat it here.
All basses are Harley Benton MV-4MSB short scales.
Minty-Minty-Mint (active PJ fretless)
Upgrades:
1: Gotoh GB-707 tuners. Cut a aluminium pipe to make it fit.
2: Converted to fretless with veneer
3: Schaller S-Locks
4: 3M 2080 car wrap film to change color on pickguard and control plate
5: Active EMG PJX. The X model fits a short scale very well, cause of extended headroom
6: Gotoh 404SJ bridge, cause string-through option and top loading
7: Guyker string retainer, also top loading. It’s much easier to change strings.
8: threaded inserts for neck screws
9: Gotoh Battery Box 9V BB-04 (back side)
10: EMG VLPF active tone control
11: Schaller ST-Style Knobs
12: new output jack position
Strings: Daddario EXL220S, round wound (040-060-075-095)
It looked like this before:
Pink’s Hot (active P/H)
Upgrades:
1: Gotoh GB-707 tuners. Cut a aluminium pipe to make it fit.
2: Hipshot GB7 Bass Xtender
3: Schaller S-Locks
4: 3M 2080 car wrap film to change color on pickguard and control plate. You can’t see it in the pics, but without direct light it’s just a plain silvery grey. As soon as this material catches some direct light, it will sparkle in all kinds of colours…
5: Active EMG PX and 35TWX. The X model fits a short scale very well, cause of extended headroom. Yes, I had the bridge pickup cavity routed to convert the P/J to a P/H. I absolutely hate it that I could not do that myself 
6: Gotoh 404BO bridge, cause string-through option and top loading. Meanwhile, I prefer the 404SJ , cause I need to shorten the screws for the 404BO to set proper intonation. A real design flaw!
7: Guyker string retainer, also top loading. It’s much easier to change strings.
8: Threaded inserts for neck screws
9: Gotoh Battery Box 9V BB-04 (back side)
10: EMG VLPF active tone control
11: Schaller ST-Style Knobs
12: New output jack position
Strings: La Bella 760FS-S, flat wound (.045, .065, .085, .105)
It looked like this before:
How does it sound? Very sophisticated. It’s currently my favourite bass - don’t know if this is because of the flat wounds or cause of the P/H.
Ronin (active HH)
Upgrades:
1: Gotoh GB-707 tuners. Cut a aluminium pipe to make it fit.
2: Hipshot GB7 Bass Xtender
3: Schaller S-Locks
4: 3M 2080 car wrap film to change color on pickguard and control plate. In fact this is the “Barney” pickguard. I think it worked out quite nicely, despite the lack of power tools 
5: 2x 35TWX. The X model fits a short scale very well, cause of extended headroom. Yes, I had the both pickup cavities routed to convert the P/J to a H/H.** The 35TWX can be toggled between singe and dual coil. That makes four different configs to play. I use both in dual coil mode mostly, as this is my “in yer face” bass.
6: Gotoh 404BO bridge, cause string-through option and top loading.
7: Guyker string retainer, also top loading. It’s much easier to change strings.
8: ABM 6240 adjustable brass nut. Love it!
9: Threaded inserts for neck screws
10: Gotoh Battery Box 9V BB-04 (back side)
11: EMG VLPF active tone control
12: Schaller ST-Style Knobs
13: New output jack position
Strings: ** Daddario EXL160S** round wound (.050-070-085-105). Somehow, I’m not so happy with them … since I used flatwounds.
It looked like this before:
How does it sound? MIGHTY!!! I still prefer Pink’s Hot, cause Ronin can be a little overwhelming. But I can use it to dominate my neighbours, in case it’s not clear who can be the loudest in this house
Now you have all sorts of free time!
Yep!
Everything now will be about:
Belts … another B-word in my task list!
Fixing the molten belts on soon-to-be-sold my tape deck. Analog technology s#cks!
At least it’s got a PCB, unlike a lot of the wire wrap one-offs I designed and built. 
I can tell you: I worked quite a few days on that tape deck to get it to work perfectly. Sold it for a very good price and now I’m happy that it’s gone!
I bought a reel-to-reel tape deck (and a system to use it in) in Germany when I was stationed there in '71. Like most back then, it was manufactured in Japan. I don’t remember the brand anymore, but the specific model was never sold in the U.S. (it was “too good” for that market). However, I do clearly remember the first prerecorded tape I bought to play on it: Days Of Future Passed. I wore that tape out.
This post made my day 
Loving the vibe and the vision for Pink’s Hot and Ronin! Can’t wait to see the mod journey—EMG GZRs sound like a slick choice, and I’m 100% with you on the tort pickguard hate!
Hahaha - thanks!
It’s a loooooong story, with ups and downs. You’ll learn quite a lot about certain Bassbuzz members, not always pleasant things. But hey, it’s social media
At the end the whole thing climaxes to three great modded basses. Totally happy!
If you plan anything like this - happy to answer questions!
EDIT @mosin_jack - this is the result, by the way:
Oh, wow - there IS somebody more crazy than I am
I need more proof before I am convinced that someone is crazier than you
My girlfriend said exactly the same thing
