Timko, great work on the preamp enclosure! I love the graphic, since I experienced the same earthquake! I have been making these preamps for about a year now, and each one, including the sub-miniature tube versions have been solid as a rock. I think if I ever create a new version of PCB, I may move the capacitors that caused your problem from behind that potentiometer. The problem can be avoided, but there is that potential for shorting if that tab is not clipped off the potentiometer or, the cap leads are a bit too long. Live and learn! I agree that loading up the board components is fairly simple. I think the boxing in the enclosure is the more complicated part. Regarding using with the bass guitar, I love it on my bass. You can really eq the bass pretty easily. This same circuit, (Alembic F2b) the one that David Gilmour uses, was borrowed from Roger Waters (bassist) by his guitar tech. They are still used in his studio as far as I know. I always wondered if Roger ever got them back or bought some more....