Sell or modify '71 Tele Bass

[bluehevy75]

I have a 71 Tele Bass with the mud bucker.
I love the body.
I love the neck.
I love the low end.
I dislike the lack of definition.

I play older music. Soul, R&B, Country. I like big flat wound strings. I like high action. I play with a foamy mute. I like 15's and tube amps. I think you get the idea.

Do I add a jazz pickup?
or
Sell it?

If I sell it, what should I get instead with whatever it sells for?

[duke12]

Sell it to me. Buy an EB-2D - that'll give you the best of both worlds.

[bassvi]

Maybe consider the Dimarzio Model One or Willpower replacement pickups. I believe they are drop ins for the mudbucker that are supposed to be an improvement. The guy at SGD could probably fix you up with a more articulate replacement too if you tell him what you want. I had a 71 Tele' that I loved (my first really nice bass) but ended up trading it in eventually for the same reason. I got frustrated with the limitation of that one pickup. Sure wish I still had that bass, I loved the neck too.

[watspan]

I have a MIJ TNB-SP110 w/ Humbucker and jazz bridge pup. the jazz adds little definition IMO.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by duke12

Sell it to me. Buy an EB-2D - that'll give you the best of both worlds.

Good Lord.... the only bass that sounds muddier or more undefined than a mudbucker Tele is an EB-2D.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by bassvi

Maybe consider the Dimarzio Model One or Willpower replacement pickups. I believe they are drop ins for the mudbucker that are supposed to be an improvement.

^^ This.

[pbassnut]

I saw Kenny Gradney with Little Feat in the mid 70's and he had a type II Tele Bass like yours only he had a second Fender humbucker (just like the original pickup) installed in what looked to be the sweet spot (the normal position where the Fender Precision split coil pickup we all know and love is placed). He sounded fantastic that night (although I'm sure that part of that was that he was/is such a great player). However, an original type II Tele Bass humbucker might be difficult (and expensive) to come by ... you might just put a good quality split coil pickup in the sweet spot and call it a day.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by bluehevy75

Do I add a jazz pickup?

Doing this will destroy the value of that instrument. If you can't live with the sound, and don't want to swap pickups, then sell it. With the money you get you can buy any number of instruments that will suit you better.

[Kevin aka Kebo]

An EB2 is muddier - An EB2D is not

Good call Tris

[pablop]

do not mod it, whatever you do do not mod it, sell it, put it aside, give it away, make it a wall piece, but do not mod it

[bassie12]

It's your bass. If it will be more useful to you and more playable with a mod, then mod it. Go to a decent luthier, review options and take his advice onboard and go for it. If you think you may want to sell the bass, get a good replacement body, mod that, transfer parts and store the original.

[Bassology]

Don't do the mod!!! Perhaps you should give this one a try.



http://www.fender.com/en-CA/basses/t...lecaster-bass/

[fcoda]

I didn't [ couldn't ] vote given the 2 options, I would look for a drop in replacement pu. I wouldn't add another pickup or molest the body.

[bigntasty]

I voted for you to sell it because I hate seeing vintage instruments being modified. That's just my opinion - I know it's your bass and you can do what you like with it. Just know that it will never be the same once it's modded, and it will affect resale value if you ever decide to sell it. And, there's no guarantee that you'll be happy with whatever pick-up you replace the mudbucker with.

Then replace it with a Fender Reggie Hamilton Std. Jazz Bass (assuming you're OK with the neck difference). Lots of tonal options and overall a great bass!

[Cadfael]

"Problem" of the current "Telecaster III Bass" (Bassology posted) is, that the neck and body are totally different (Why I don't like this "Telecaster Bass") ...

Modifying the bass might cost more than a second bass.
Selling it and buying a more suiting bass would be better to my mind ...

[blindrabbit]

Please don't modify it. Sell it if you feel you need one bass that accomplishes everything for you. There are lots of options out there, you'll definitely find one.

But why don't you consider buying another bass? You maybe don't need lots of "definition" on every song, and that's when you can switch to the other instrument.

My VM Jazz has tons of definition. I'd be happy to entertain a trade with you, just let me know.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by Kevin aka Kebo

An EB2 is muddier - An EB2D is not

Good call Tris

You think just because there's a bridge pickup on the EB-2D, the muddiness disappears? News to me. I own both. An EB-2D is every bit as muddy as an EB-2.

[smcd]

Originally Posted by bassie12

It's your bass. If it will be more useful to you and more playable with a mod, then mod it. Go to a decent luthier, review options and take his advice onboard and go for it. If you think you may want to sell the bass, get a good replacement body, mod that, transfer parts and store the original.

I often wonder "Who in this day and age would advise a person to rout a extra pickup into a vintage instrument???" Now I know.






Wost advice ever, by the way.

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by smcd

Good Lord.... the only bass that sounds muddier or more undefined than a mudbucker Tele is an EB-2D.

Except for an EB-0 with dead heavy gauge flats.

[packhowitzer]

Originally Posted by smcd

I often wonder "Who in this day and age would advise a person to rout a extra pickup into a vintage instrument???" Now I know.



Wost advice ever, by the way.

+1

there are a lot of people that would like to own an unspoiled/unmodded vintage bass.

Sell it, give some one else a chance to enjoy a piece of history. with the money you make on the sale, you can get just the sound you are looking for.