Fender Bass Modifications Thread:

[kaputsport]

I did a search on this topic, and found one thread with no replies, so I thought I would give it another try.

This thread is for anyone and everyone to talk about, explain, discuss, show off and learn about different modifications you can make to Fender basses.

Seriously, I want to hear about everything from neck swaps, to pick up replacement, and tuners, to bridges and everything in between.

Feel free to discuss why you did them, and what you had to do to make them work, sources for your parts and anything you want to add.

I think if we all took this seriously, this could be a huge thread, with sticky potential for all talkbassers to read, review and drool over.

Pics are a must, so please feel free to post them, but discussions are great too.

So, lets get started!!!!

[kaputsport]

One of my favorite modifications to do to any bass I own, is a drop D tuner.

Bass Xtenders > Store > Hipshot Products

These work by operating a lever that allows you to drop tune your E string (or any string for that matter) one whole step down without having to turn anything... Just flip the switch.

This mod really helps out with guitarists who have a Floyd Rose bridge and a Drop D Tuna installed.

[Gord_oh]

not Fender, but a fine example: Tricked Out Squier Club

There are lots of threads here, countless, on what people have done to modify Fender basses. The fact is the most aftermarket parts are designed with Fender in mind. They are, in a lot of ways, a company standard for drop in parts.

[Sanchez83]

Uploading this pic from my phone so I hope it works. This is my Geddy Lee Jazz. No huge mods other than the paint, but I did throw in two Duncan SJB-1's. Its hard to tell from the picture, but the pickguard is painted to match the pearl white on the side of the body. She's definitely shiny!

[kaputsport]

Agreed. There are tons of threads, but all of them specific to that bass, or that idea.

This would be to bring everyone in here to discuss everything from filing your saddles on your bridge, to tuners, pickups, pick guards, strings, preamps, different necks, etc, etc, etc.

I think if we come in, show off and discuss things like adults, we could create a very nice database of all the modifications you can do.

I was looking for a new bridges to replace my 2008 MIM Jazz Deluxe. At first, the only thing I knew about was a Leo Quan Bassass II, but I did some research and found tons more, but was equally confused. Fact is, there is not really a place you can go to get all the info in one place, and that is what this thread is designed to do. Mostly it is for fenders, as they are the ones I see modified all the time, but obviously, the mods can reflect any bass really.

[kaputsport]

Originally Posted by Sanchez83

Uploading this pic from my phone so I hope it works. This is my Geddy Lee Jazz. No huge mods other than the paint, but I did throw in two Duncan SJB-1's. Its hard to tell from the picture, but the pickguard is painted to match the pearl white on the side of the body. She's definitely shiny!

What brought your decision to the Duncans, and what was the process like?

Can you give us some information on the changes you saw with them?

See where I am going with this? Don't just post the mods you did, but discuss them in depth. Give others who are not in the know, the knowledge to understand.

[snyderz]

I prefer after-market pups to stock. Seymore Duncan Antiquity IIs in my Jazz improved my tone, as did DiMarzio, but Lollars beat them both. I don't have pics, but they look kind of like Jazz pickups.

[pattyløve]

I'd like to think that the subtle mods to my MIM jazz bass make it a tad unique and make it "my" bass. Ive had the body routed out and a custom pickguard made to fit a P pickup as the neck pickup. And it will be soon to be wired as volume, tone and a 4-way switch disguised as a normal pot (neck, bridge, series, parallel). Some quarter pounders are on the way as well.

This set up works for me because I love the sound of a P bass but the looks of a jazz. The jazz neck is also nice because i have relatively small hands.

[Sanchez83]

First and foremost, the god awful hum from the stock pups was unbearable. I tried re-soldering and did a full shielding to the pickup and control cavities. These, in on relation to stock are extremely quiet. The pickups sound great. I originally wanted to give the Quarter Pounders a try, but a friend of mine who is a bassist recommended that I give the Vintage pickups a shot. I am glad I did. I honestly cant make a great comparison to the stock pickups, since I did not use this bass much due to the hum issues. It is now my "go to" guitar. Quite punchy, and I definitely get the growl I was going for.

[Nobody]

I'm totally going to make a form fitting cover for a Fender using this ‪Bedazzler Commercial‬‏ - YouTube held on with Velcro or double sided tape or something.

Like with a kitten pattern or something. Maybe a bunny. I don't know. Decisions. Decisions.

[Hyssar]

Originally Posted by Sanchez83

Uploading this pic from my phone so I hope it works. This is my Geddy Lee Jazz. No huge mods other than the paint, but I did throw in two Duncan SJB-1's. Its hard to tell from the picture, but the pickguard is painted to match the pearl white on the side of the body. She's definitely shiny!

OH MY GOD. I just fell in love. Where did you get the paintjob done and how much did it cost?

[Epidrake]

I've posted this before but I can't stress how much this helped the tone on my MIM Fender Jazz. I replaced the cheap chrome plated saddles with solid brass Wilkinson saddles that I bought on ebay. Brass is so much more musical sounding. I have brass saddles on my 52 Fender Tele reissue and that guitar rocks, so I figured why not try brass on the Jazz bass.

They are so much more sensitive to playing style. You can go from smooth warm to full growl. The whole switch took a few minutes and the saddles were only around 12 bucks.

[kaputsport]

On my quest for more information, I have looked over many threads, specifically challenging the idea of changing your bridge.

Many people say the stock bent metal bridge is fine, and some agree it is what gives a fender its "fender tone" in collaboration with the pickups and spacing.

Many basses I have played utilize a "middle of the road" mass bridge, where it is not a high mass, but also not a small, thin bent metal bridge.

I did some research and found a few comparison examples of what to expect when looking for a bridge.

Standard bridges:
-These are a solid, one piece bent metal bridge that use the well known design of adjustment of allen screws for the height, and spring covered screws for intonation. Most fenders have a 5 whole configuration for mounting.



Back in the day, Leo Quan created a bridge called the "Baddass Bridge" which was a direct replacement for the Fender basses of the time. It featured a high mass style plate, which was cast not bent, and many features to enhance the intonation of your instrument and allow it to remain in tune.



Leo further developed his bridges for the BAII, and added many options to his bridges.



Some claim that these "make the sound" while others call them "snake oil". I feel about half and half on the argument. I feel the superior bridge design can help things stay in tune better, and may add a little sustain. I feel that the higher mass of the bridge allows the instrument to be heard as it was intended, but I don't feel the tonal differences are that drastic. I think while shedding some highs and adding more lows based on the mass vibrating differently is a trade off, and one that most people can't really tell anyway.

Seeing that Leo Quan is MIA, and his bridges are demanding serious prices now:

badass bass bridge | eBay

I chose to look around for alternatives.

Enter the Gotoh 201. This is a direct replacement for Fender style 5 mounting hole bridges. The bridge is a great compromise of looks, weight, and adjustability, and the price is less than half what most LQ BAII are going for.



The bridge I find work really well, fits my basses and playing style, gives the best compromise to tone, weight and adjustability is the cheapest aftermarket bridge I know of. Honestly, many manufacturers make these. Some are off the wall custom shops, some are just Kahler bridges renamed, and some are made by Fender themselves.



This bridge type does what standard fender bridges )in my experience) lack, and are direct replacements. Most are 5 hole mounting, grooved base plate for the saddle screws to ride in and not flop around. A little added mass, without adding pounds and a clean look. Same basic design as the Gotah and BAII and many other aftermarket bridges, but a little cheaper.

There are many many many many bridges out there for your bass, and honestly, everyone has something different they like.

If you like it, use it. If you are wondering if a high mass bridge is for you, the one thing I have seen is that this part of the parts industry is great for trial and error. Buy one from a TB'er or eBay, try it out, and if you hate it, resell it and lose nothing (except potage and handling).

My issue with the stock bridge is that it never really feels sturdy and planted. For me, anything aftermarket with grooves for the saddles is what I am looking for.

[Hyssar]

Here's my modified Geddy.


I was quite happy with the tone, but it wasn't perfect. It had the growl, but the lowend was muddy (not defined enough). So I began looking for new pickups. I'm quite happy with my Bartolini 9CBJS-1. They have less "oomph" than the stock fender pickups, but they barely hum, have a nice lowend and a good growl. The Geddy's amazing mids and highs are still there. I don't slap much at all, but they sound amazing when I do (or rather try to, because I'm terrible at it).

The preamp is an Audere and I'm pretty satisfied with it, but I'm still open to suggestions. By switching from the passive fender "preamp" to this one, the tone changed a little bit. I like to say that I lost 1 possible tone and gained 10 new ones. I really like the onboard EQ with a tone control. I don't find the Z-switch to be really useful because the Low and High settings are either way too fat or way too thin, so they're not very usable.

Black pickguard because white was boring. I replaced all the tuning keys with Hipshots and added a D-tuner. The D-tuner is really expensive for what it's worth, in my opinion, so if you don't plan to use it much, I don't think it's worth the investment.

[kaputsport]

Here is another interesting add on to Fender basses... The Groove Tubes Fat Head!!!

Supposed to add sustain and work out any dead spots on the neck.



I really want one of these just to try it out.

[Sanchez83]

Originally Posted by Hyssar

OH MY GOD. I just fell in love. Where did you get the paintjob done and how much did it cost?

My friend has an auto shop with a full paint booth so I just threw him $100 for supplies... And a six pack of Miller Lite. Heh.

[kaputsport]

Back from the dead... IE page 2.

Please post up modifications you have done, want to do, or that you find amazing.

I hope we can place all our modding information into one giant resource.

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by kaputsport

Back from the dead... IE page 2.

Please post up modifications you have done, want to do, or that you find amazing.

I hope we can place all our modding information into one giant resource.

You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. A Fender bass came from God PERFECT as Leo designed it! That's why "vintage" Fenders sell for so much money today. Modifying one is heresy! I think you all should be reported to stand before an inquisition of TalkBass moderators! I'm thinking a little taste of the rack might get you all to recant and save your bass-playing souls!

[kaputsport]

LOL. Come on... You never swapped a pick guard? Replaced a knob or tuners for Grovers?

If they all came perfectly from God, then he is slacking, cause mine needs some help. Fro real.

[Feral Feline]

Originally Posted by kaputsport

Here is another interesting add on to Fender basses... The Groove Tubes Fat Head!!!

Supposed to add sustain and work out any dead spots on the neck.



I really want one of these just to try it out.

... yeah, but does it cure neck dive?


Kaputsport, thanks for bridging the gap in my string anchor knowledge. Always wondered what was so Badass about these things.