looks like a can of worms... to me anyway.
I have done a rescue project, and it turned out well
but it was with a Squier Precision bass, so it was easy.
...and the stakes were low. I got it free.
The hardest (and most essential) part was getting the neck straight.
If you can't get the neck straight, it's a wall hanger.
If you can get the neck straight, then it's like a boat.
A boat is defined as a "large hole in the water, into which you pour money."
You have to ask yourself, do you want to play bass
or do you want to be a luthier. You CAN do both, but each is its own calling.
If you want to be a player, get a bass that's ready to rock
and concentrate on the music. You don't have to spend too much
and you don't have to swim in the 'vintage" pool, which is full
of bloodsuckers. A "vintage" bass has zero advantages, and a lot
of very likely and very real problems... for a player.
If you want to be a luthier, buy a lot of very cool (but expensive) tools and
take some classes from a master. Study hard, and practice a lot on
garbage instruments.
Luthier's first rule: Practice on scrap.
Don't learn how to be a luthier by experimenting on your prized Gibson
or Fender... or on a fine old war horse that should be in a museum.
Just my take, no offenses intended. I played a vintage bass for decades,
and destroyed its value by modding it as I pleased. At the time I did that
it was just an old bass. And I didn't care. But now I do.
I've also rescued a POS from a damp basement and moldy case,
and put it back onstage (with the help of a truly world class luthier
and about $450 very real dollars. I'm proud of doing that, and lucky someone
wanted that instrument because it was mine. So I was able to sell the boat.
I've also built my dream bass out of Warmoth parts, which I highly recommend.
The advantage of doing this is that the parts all fit, and the assembly is easy,
and a guy who is no luthier can end up with a playable totally custom instrument.
Hard to beat.
I've also run a half marathon. Twice. After the second half marathon, I said to myself:
"Cool. I did that. I don't ever have to do that again."
