Pimp my bass

subopposite · #1 08-01-2008, 08:34 AM

Hello all,

I am a super new bass player. I at best play drums recreationally (pearl export select) set. However, a couple friends and I mess around playing and the host of our jams has and plays drums, so I said what the heck, I'll do bass.

I have a super old bass, that was my mothers. It's a Westwood back from the 70's, maybe before. Anyhow, I thought it would be neat if I could pimp up this old bass somehow. It is not a great bass, but think it would be fun to dress up a little with something.

I do have brand new D'addario or whatever strings and have an Ampeg BA-115 to go with it. As I know nothing about modifying basses or what options I even have, I didn't know what type of things I could do to pimp it up, like pickups or something.

I thought it would be fun to drop a little money on an old bass to see if I can spruce it up some sound wise, not looks wise. Any suggestions? Thanks.

J. Crawford · #2 08-01-2008, 08:38 AM

Search button is your friend.

LowDown Hal · #3 08-01-2008, 08:44 AM

what, specifically, are you looking for it do differently, sound wise?

is it passive or active?
what is the current set-up?
what bridge, tuners, nut, pick-ups, strings?

subopposite · #4 08-01-2008, 09:14 AM

Nevermind guys. Too broad of a question. I just wanted ideas of all encompassing things that can be done to modify a basses sound.

The search button is not my friend. That's why I posted. I'm lazy regarding this subject and I admit it. Wouldn't know where to start anyhow. I know nothing about basses. I just have an old bass and a person that does play said it would be cool to spend a little on it as no one in has one like it....or maybe no one would want one like it.

All I know is it's an old junky bass, I have an ampeg BA-115 and some semi-round d'addarios that are of a slightly larger size than normal. I also know how to tune and what the strings names are. I have fun with it though.

My aspirations of playing would be to play funky music and as of right now my focus is on using the top 2 strings on the bass. If that makes any sense, cool. If not, well it perfectly describes how much I know about basses and bass playing.

I just felt like spending money.

fetfet · #5 08-01-2008, 09:24 AM

If you give us a sound you're trying to reach, that would help.

So would pictures.

EagleMoon · #6 08-01-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fetfet

If you give us a sound you're trying to reach, that would help.

So would pictures.

+1 on the pictures. It's easier for us to tell you what you might change on the bass if we can see it.

Connor · #7 08-01-2008, 10:32 AM

start learning how to play before upgrading it.

subopposite · #8 08-01-2008, 02:37 PM

Good idea with the pictures. I'll see what I can do. May take a bit.

Connor, I will just have to do as I please. I know I am not good and I don't care. I know the bass I have is crap and I don't care. Any upgrade would be an upgrade.

Everyone else, thanks for being kind to the clueless.