@DB
Thanks mate. I wasn't too sure about seeing the fibres of the bamboo, but it kind of gives it a natural look.
@Woks
No fret markers Warren. She will just have side dot markers at the usual spacing 3,5,7 etc. Hopefully they will get me in the ball-park. I always found that with bass, when you play is more important that what you play. Plus I fully expect the whole band to suddenly start playing out of tune when I start playing anyway. lol.
@Scott
Knitting needles!!! What a great Idea. I had been racking my brain trying to think of alternatives.