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Are cheap basses worth modding?

M

MistaMarko

Supporting Member
Feb 3, 2006
878
77
USA
#1
I have a Galveston 4-string. It's basically a P-Bass knock-off, same everything as far as aesthetics.

I'm not sure what the real differences are...if real P-Basses have better woods/pickups or something? (they look/feel the same - I'd like more info on how to tell differences too if anyone can explain it)

Anyway, I considered maybe getting a new neck, or some different pickups, maybe new bridge, maybe even a re-finish.

Worth it?
 
#2
I think what you spend on new pickups,bridge,and refinish you could buy something nicer like a squier VM or CV p bass. Better p basses have better hardware,finish,woods,fretwork,electronics. Everything overall is better.

However, modding is fun,and an experience. You learn a lot. So if you think the bass plays well enough,then go ahead and put some money into it if you like it.
 
#4
If you are new to the electric bass you should first learn as much as you can about how the instruments work, how different woods and specs change the sound, and what sound you are looking for. Once you have established what sound you want, you will have better judgement on what you need to mod on your bass for that sound.
 
#5
bassmusic1234 said:
If you are new to the electric bass you should first learn as much as you can about how the instruments work, how different woods and specs change the sound, and what sound you are looking for. Once you have established what sound you want, you will have better judgement on what you need to mod on your bass for that sound.
Click to expand...

Don't think he's new...been a member for 4 years..peavey endorsed artist...owns a conklin GT-7
 
#6
Refinishing, new electronics and bridge, and getting a new neck... You might as well buy a better quality bass. A modded cheap bass will not retain the money you put in to it. The only way I would drop money in to that black hole is for sentimental reasons, or the bass was really something special to begin with. But your description of it is pretty blase.

Look on Craigslist for a MIM Fender or a good deal on an American Fender. You will at least be able to get your money back if it doesn't pan out.
 
#8
not IMHO .. and not meaning to sound condescending in any way, but there are too many very decent inexpensive basses out there right now ... you said this one 'feels' the same as a 'real' one, then I would suggest you leave it alone and sample everything you can get your hands on until YOU see/feel/hear something you like better, and then thre may be a more specific question in there to ask ... to explain the difference between a specific unknown knock-off and a dozen different models (or more) would be far too vague to be useful at this point... the answer is YES to all your questions ... woods, pick-ups, and something ... JMHO
 
#9
As Someone who's put over 1K in a $150 axe before and has mods done to a few others, I say it depends. I buy basses I like the feel if and modify them if needed to a decent level of quality.

If the elcheapo Galveston bass plays and feels amazing, then it is absolutely worth modding the bass. Would I change the neck...no. would I change the bridge, pickups, wiring...absolutely. It all depends how much you like playing the bass in its current iteration.
 
#12
If you like the way the Galveston feels and plays then no, don't touch the neck. If you don't like the way it plays, then make sure the bass is setup. If it's properly setup, and you don't like the way it plays, then a new neck might be what you need. If it were me in that situation, I'd pass on getting a new neck.

If you don't like the basses tone, then yeah, mod away. If it were me, I'd get a decent preamp before getting pickups. If the bass is passive, adding the active circuitry will allow you to have more control over, and have a bigger influence on the overall tone of the bass than new pickups would. Worst case scenario, you'll have to drill an extra hole for the knob. I'd also replace the bridge and tuners with better quality ones as well.

If you decide to replace everything you listed in your OP, then it might be more cost effective for you to buy a used bass. There are sick deals out there, you just have to be patient and keep an eye out for them.
 
#15
mulchor said:
Worth it? The parts will be worth more than the finished instrument. So financially, no. But messing with stuff is good fun. :D
Click to expand...

^^^This^^^ Bottom line, if you want to create something that's uniquely yours, go right ahead. But always realize, that to someone else, it's just a bunch of parts, not a "Fender" or a "Lakland" or whatever. Really, if you strip away the electronics, tuners, bridge, neck...you're starting from the ground up, using a generic body. And: quality parts cost money. Mighty Mite neck: $100...or Fender MIA neck: $500...and up. Quality pickup $100, & up. Tuners, bridge, etc add to the cost. And worth very little on the resale market, should you get tired of it. As others have pointed out, a decent MIM Fender can be bought for way less, & re-sold for a break-even, or even a profit, if you buy right...

All that said, I bought an ESP/LTD body from another TB'er a month ago, & have been doing the parts bass thing myself. It's turning out quite nice. I have a set of EMG's that I'll be installing in the next few days. At that point she should sound as good as she looks & plays. And it's been a fun project.
 
#16
Worth it is hard to say. I've never had a bass that I've modded or built with parts that turned out as good as a bass that I loved in the first place just as it was. On the other hand, I know some people here on Talk Bass have been able to get great players that they love with a few mods. In any case, it's certainly fun to trade out parts, get out the soldering iron and have a go at it. :)

Just a note, a new neck for an "off brand" like a Galveston could be hard to find unless it happens to be the exact size of a standard Fender neck.
 
#17
WoodyG3 said:
Just a note, a new neck for an "off brand" like a Galveston could be hard to find unless it happens to be the exact size of a standard Fender neck.
Click to expand...

Also true. I ran into this with the LTD I described above. Difference was around 1/8" - 1/4", the neck being wider than the body rout. A little Dremel action made everything ok, & the neck fits nice & tight... ...Something to consider, though, might be more work than just screwing together a bunch of parts.
 
#18
A few things to consider: A budget instrument can be ok, as long as you know where they skimped. If it's electronics, or some hardware, that can be changed. Low quality wood, or poor craftsmanship may render an instrument useless. No, you will not get your money back out of this instrument, but that's assuming you leave all the mods in place if/when you sell it. I personally think it's a great way to learn how all this stuff works. De-mystifies it to a certain degree. I have a modified MIM precision that I will never be able to break even on if I sell it, but what about all the money I made from using it? Two recording sessions paid for the bass, so is resale value really an issue at that point?
 
#19
One thing that's been overlooked here is that swapping electronics and hardware yourself gives you an education that will save you money on techs and luthiers in the long run. Imagine never having to take your bass in to get a pot soldered or a bridge set up for intonation. I'm proud of my skills with a router, dremel, and soldering gun. I'm also glad that if anything goes wrong with my bass, I can fix it myself (with the help of the TB forums, if need be.)

Every musician should know his or her instrument from the inside out, and the best way to gain such intimate knowledge is modding and tinkering.

This is of course only my opinion.
 
#20
It depends on the mod. If it's something experimental that you are trying to find out if you like it, then a cheap bass is your ideal guinea pig.

For example, I wanted to experiment with the 8 string bass concept but couldn't afford one, so I converted a cheap 4 string.

But if you are expecting to make a good bass out of a piece of junk, it will almost always not be worth it.
 

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