Show your favorite cheap modifications

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

A while back, I was given a Crate BX-200 Bass head because it was making a lot of noise. And because it was a Crate but thats for another thread. I opened it and found bad solder joints on the outputs. An easy fix, but still not a great design because the outside sleeve is too short to screw a nut onto to distribute the force it sees.


The only Bass cab I have, only has Speakon plugs, and not being a fan of adapters, decided to ad a Speakon jack.

Im about 5$ in to this mod, but its probably my favorite of any cheap mods I've done.

[vishuddha]

Taking off the faceplate of just about every amp I buy is a $0 mod that I don't see a lot of people doing...

[BillyIVbass]

Aluminum shielding tape. About $3 a roll at Home Depot. Haven't ran out yet and I've probably used it on a dozen cheap guitars.

Not really something you can buy in stores, but learning the basics of a setup and soldering. I can't stress how valuable that is.

[SquierJazz72]

My mods don't always show, but I generally end up replacing the 500k mini pots on my Squier Affinities with full size 250k pots and .047 tone caps. And a roll of aluminum tape for shielding, especially the strat. And my strat got stainless block saddles in place of the stock ones. The Jazz bass will likely get a better bridge at some point.

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

Originally Posted by BillyIVbass

Aluminum shielding tape. About $3 a roll at Home Depot. Haven't ran out yet and I've probably used it on a dozen cheap guitars.

Not really something you can buy in stores, but learning the basics of a setup and soldering. I can't stress how valuable that is.

+1 to Shielding, Its an easy cheap and very useful mod.

+1 to soldering, its cheap, easy and can save you a lot of money in the long run

Not sure I would classify a set up as a modification, But I remember the first Bass I successfully setup. I couldn't imagine playing any thing less.

[Stilettoprefer]

A control plate for my P! $10 for the materials to do it.

[Got2SadowskyNYC]

No photo, but an all controls bypass switchs for my passive 4 string PJ. Highly recommend this.

[mongo2]

Cheapest mod I've ever done is taking the string retainer off of the headstock.

[J03YW]

What's all this talk about shielding things? I'm getting (and gutting) a Squier CV 60's Pbass and bringing it up to Entwistle standards (Dimarzio Pups, 500k pots, rotosounds, Series/parallel switch for ***** and giggles) and since I'm gonna crack er open, I want to know how beneficial this is/how to do it.

[Jay2U]

1) I changed my cheap Ibby to BEAD tuning. Some filing and some setup work. Considering that every bass needs new strings once in a while, this modification costs $0.
2) Extra screening, using aluminum tape and some copper wire. Costs: $5?
3) Optimization of neck to pocket fitting. Some sanding, filing and filling with glue. Costs: a piece of sand paper and a few drops of glue.
4) An extra screw to improve the mounting of the bridge to the body. Costs: 20 cents?

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

Originally Posted by J03YW

What's all this talk about shielding things? I'm getting (and gutting) a Squier CV 60's Pbass and bringing it up to Entwistle standards (Dimarzio Pups, 500k pots, rotosounds, Series/parallel switch for ***** and giggles) and since I'm gonna crack er open, I want to know how beneficial this is/how to do it.

Its worth looking into if you haven't yet. Its more of an insurance mod IMO. I've never picked up a Bass and been like " wow! this thing is shielded well". Its more of an insurance thing, at some point, an unshielded Bass will introduce noise in your sound. I've come across a lot of Basses that buzz when you're not touching the strings or hum and pop when you move them.

[vigor&kandor]

Originally Posted by Stilettoprefer

A control plate for my P! $10 for the materials to do it.

I make control plates for all my basses. Why not have the electronics easily accessible?

[Rip Topaz]

Shielding;
Bridge and pickup covers;
Hipshot string retainer;
Swap pots from mini to full size;
Tolexed pickguard;
Stickers.

I've done a million cheap mods over the years. Shielding is by far the most beneficial.