Are cheap basses worth modding?

[fourfinger]

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?

No kidding? I modded the exact same bass -- Galveston P-Bass -- for my 11-year old son's birthday. He likes skulls, and the color black.

I got the bass for $80 on CL and it came with a practice amp. I did the following:

Swapped out the White pickguard for a Black-White-Black 3-ply, to complete the Black-and-Maple look.

Added a Badass II bridge -- he thinks it's really cool to have a bass that has "Badass" engraved on it.

Added chrome Skull knobs with red glowing eyes.

Added a Skull-themed strap.

The bass plays well enough that I am going to also add a new pickup and electronics. I used it at rehearsal once and it sounded pretty good. The neck seems decent enough, and it is resonant.

The project wasn't for me, and I would not have done this for myself. But I think it's turning out well, and it's not a bad instrument. I say, go for it on one condition: USED PARTS. Then if it does not turn out well for you, you can resell the parts and have not lost much.

 

[Stinsok]

It will have no resale value, but I like doing it.

 

[honeyiscool]

I think if you feel the neck needs to be swapped out, you have to start questioning whether it's worth it.

Every cheap axe that I've modded and ended up liking, I've liked stock. When I started out with one I didn't care for, it ended up ******.

 

[kb9wyz]

Are you kidding? I would opine that only cheap basses are worth modding!

+1

I bought a cheap bass just to mod it. I wanted to learn/develop some skills with working with the instrument. I spent as much on my mods as the bass, but that isn't a lot of money in the end. And what comes out it all will be better than what I could have bought for that price in the first place.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Would you spend $$$ on hot-rodding a Ford Escort?

 

[honeyiscool]

Would you spend $$$ on hot-rodding a Ford Escort?

Because mods devalue the collectible value of a luxury item, so it makes no financial sense to do it to an expensive car/bass/anything.

 

[Netspin]

Making a mistake attacking a play on your instrument can often be inspirational.
But attacking your instrument with steel tipped, pointed, sharpened, solder-melting tools can be a mistake you can always regret.

 

[mdogs]

Zombie thread!!