Steinberger

1) Chips and holes in the body can be repaired but not invisibly. There will always be a 'shadow' left.

2) Worn out frets don't necessarily mean a re fret. The frets can be 'crowned'. A good tech guy will be able to do this and it is impossible to tell the difference. It will cost half as much as a re fret and it's less risky to the fingerboard.

3) Missing grub screws, grommits etc for the battery cover are easily obtainable.

4) Modern EMG Steinberger HD pickup will not fit a xl, but they can be made to fit:

a) the modern replacement pickup is too big to fit the hole on the face plate on the xl, however the pickup casing can be shaved down avoiding the need to make the hole in the bass bigger.

b) the clip/plug on the back of the modern pickup gets in the way of the core running through the bass. However, the clip can be bent upwards into a vertical position avoiding the central core.

c) the plug supplied with the modern pickup is not compatible with the plug on the HAZ  circuit board. This is true but the plug from the old pickup can be easily fitted to the new pickup so it can be plugged straight in to the HAZ board.

d) despite what anybody tells you the modern pickup works perfectly on the old HAZ circuit board. (don't ditch the HAZ board because the pickups need replacing)

Any decent tech guy will be able to do all the above. If you live in the UK  take your bass to 'professional guitar repairs' in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. The guy's a genius.   

Great stuff Nigel, thanks a ton for posting this!