Simple Mod's to a jazz bass

[bellis1]

I've got a Geddy Lee Jazz. I've replaced the white pg with a black one. Replaced the black knobs with chrome ones. Replaced the chrome control plate with a black plate.

WHAT NEXT!?!? I've got too much money to be not putting it into my bass. Sounds terrible. But so true. What other stuff have you jazz bass players done to yours?

[billiam5billion]

Well, you have a Geddy, so no point in swapping the bridge or pups, those are already upgraded. I'd say if you really want more mods, get some lollipop tuners or a brass nut. If you have the cash for it, a refinish to your favorite color is always nice.

[bellis1]

Whats the difference in sound if I were to purchase a brass nut?

[Ric5]

I thought the point of owning a Geddy Lee bass was to have a bass that looks like his classic 72 jazz.

[bellis1]

Originally Posted by Ric5

I thought the point of owning a Geddy Lee bass was to have a bass that looks like his classic 72 jazz.

To some, maybe. But personally, I could care less about having mine look like his. I liked the shaved neck, pups, and the block inlays.

[audiomitch]

Skull knobs!!

[DaveF]

Lessons!

[Commreman]

Series/Parallel switch.

[A-Step-Towards]

Modding just to mod is a waste get another bass

[Steveaux]

Bottle opener.

[JimmyM]

put a second neck on it.

[ugly_bassplayer]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

put a second neck on it.

I second this.....

[wshines1892]

Originally Posted by Commreman

Series/Parallel switch.

This, it adds another color to your tonal options. Also a preamp if you're into bastardizing basses

You could fund an addiction to fresh strings?

[EagleMoon]

I'll second the lessons suggestion. Other than that, you could always upgrade to some better tuners. Usually they could be better.

[Nev375]

Originally Posted by bellis1

To some, maybe. But personally, I could care less about having mine look like his. I liked the shaved neck, pups, and the block inlays.

You mean you like how the neck is painted to look like it has binding and inlays.

[Mr. Wu]

Hipshot Detuner ... Easy and great if you ever play in drop tunings. Otherwise, mod as you wish, it's your bass ... Make it yours and enjoy it.

[ModuMan]

I did the following to my GL Jazz...

Replaced pickups (DiMarzio)
Replaced tuners (Hipshot)
Replaced pickguard (tort)
Routed truss access into pickguard/body
Stripped poly finish from back of neck, refinished with oil (well, someone else did that for me)
Flats (TI)

Ta-da!

The neck plays like a dream, it stays in tune and sounds (to my ears) better with the pickups. Flats were just an experiment but I stuck with them since it sounded so good.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by bellis1

Whats the difference in sound if I were to purchase a brass nut?

the sound of one note per string would get a little brighter than the rest of the bass.

[Delta_Petra]

Originally Posted by A-Step-Towards

Modding just to mod is a waste get another bass

Not true. Sometimes you don't know what you want, so you try everything. I have my old Squier P-bass that has gone through MANY mods to get where it is now. Am I satisfied? Somewhat. Did it teach me how to refinish, solder and rewire? Yes. Did I learn what I really want in a bass? Yeah, I think so.

Sometimes you get a "stock" instrument and you just want to make it your own. Of course it lowers the resale value of the bass, but it is customized to your likes and comforts, which eliminates distractions to allow you to focus more on playing than pruning.

[gjbassist]

I would also suggest the series/parallel switch or a drop in preamp like the Audere. If you really want a bass to mod just for the sake of modding, get yourself an SX as well and have fun with it.