Chances are if you've got a question regarding Overwater basses, it's been asked before - here are some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers...
The neck of your bass is to straight, or even has a backward bow. This can be caused by lower string tension (by fitting a lighter gauge than previously), or a climatic or temperature change. To correct this the truss rod tension needs to be reduced this is done by accessing the truss rod nut under the cover on the headstock, and taking care to use the correct size allan key; turning the nut anti-clockwise, a little at a time, until the bass plays cleanly.
This indicates a reverse situation to above; the truss rod requires tightening to straighten the neck a little. *Note; the neck should always have a very slight concave bow.
Progress and Perception series basses have 3 band EQ; treble, mid, bass (nearest the bridge), plus volume and pan (pick-up blend) controls. The pull switch on the volume control activates a bright boost (6db @ 5KHz)
Set the pan pot full on to the front pickup, pull out the volume so you have the 6db + at 5Khz. Turn the bass pot up to just above, the mid range put off completely and the treble pot to full this gives our basses a very usable slap sound.
The best polish to use is a light, non wax furniture polish (such as Pledge) and a soft cloth.
A light, raw wood treatment oil such as Teak Oil or Lemon Oil can be used to clean and feed rosewood and ebony fingerboards (maple fingerboards should be cleaned with polish as above). Take care to scrupulously wipe all excess oil off the fingerboard and frets!
The circuit in your bass is designed to work perfectly until the battery runs down from 9 to 6 volts. The first sign of low voltage is a slightly distortion of the signal from the bass prompting a battery change. With average use, it is probably advisable to change the battery about every 3 months.
Intonation is the term we use to describe adjusting the string lengths of the bass to compensate for the natural tendency for notes to sharpen when fretted. To check intonation; play a string open and again the octave position at the 12th fret. If the octave note sounds sharp (higher) - the string needs to be lengthened by moving the saddle back. If flat the shorten the string by moving the saddle position forward.
Your bass is covered by a 5 year limited warranty (workmanship and materials) and we will always try to solve any issues that arise.
Your first point of contact should be either the dealer you bought the bass from, or directly with Overwater. If the problem is a minor one, it may be able to be dealt with locally. If it needs to be returned to us, this can be arranged after prior agreement.
All Overwater instruments are available left handed, usually at no extra cost.
Unless requested otherwise; original set-up is done with light gauge nickel Overwater strings.
Yes - Although we fit our own design pick-ups and electronics as standard; you can specify any electronic/hardware combination that suits you - subject to availability and our agreement to suitability.
Directly from Overwater, or via an authorised Overwater dealer.
Yes - We service and sometimes completely refurbish many older basses every year. Some parts for very old instruments are no longer available (particularly electronic parts); but we always attempt to offer a suitable alternative.
We also offer an upgrade service for more recent electronics and hardware.
Yes - Progress and Perception series basses as standard come with a natural satin finish; but can be specified in high gloss lacquer or in translucent tints (over suitable woods), or solid colours. Check out the custom shop finishes page for some ideas.
J Series are finished in high gloss lacquer as standard, with a choice of tints, sunbursts and solid colours. Metallic and Candy finishes available to special order.
Write to, or e-mail Overwater, stating the model and style of your bass, together with any custom upgrades (a photograph is always useful) and we will provide you with a written quotation of replacement value by return.
Check the Dealer page, or give us a call.
Because we are a fairly small manufacturer, this can depend on the length of our order-book at the time of ordering and complexity of your specification; but usually custom orders can be delivered in between 12 and 16 weeks. Check at the time of ordering for a more accurate estimate.
Not usually - however we do sometimes undertake manufacture of custom parts subject to our discretion; however Overwater logos are not applied to instruments not fully made, assembled and set-up by us.
This is personal choice - with an electric bass guitar neither is definitively better or worse; but each have different properties: Essentially a through neck instrument has a greater harmonic response and are slightly less forgiving and require a little more accurate playing style, where as bolt on neck basses have a greater emphasis on the fundamental.
Yes in most cases - Overwater 3 band EQ has individual gain pre-sets related to each pick-up, located between the volume and pan controls on the circuit board. Care should be taken not to boost the output gain to far, as this can cause the pre-amp stage of your amplifier or mixing desk to distort.
Serial number, model information and date of manufacture can be found on the underside of the control cavity cover plate.