Let's see... In my current collection of 8 basses, built from scratch, stock and modified from production. As I've often said, I haven't had an instrument that I haven't voided the warranty on.
Mostly, I'm chasing tone and functionality. If the instrument isn't working for me, there's no reason to suffer. I routinely will add an extra strap button above the end pin button to help with basses that have a neck dive issue and replace the pickups if they sound wimpy (to me). Besides, none of my instruments are worth anything significant or will gain in value by keeping them stock with the exception of the 4003.
- Home built 35 year old short scale fretless (original design - not a fender knock off). Built in my apartment kitchen because at that time fretlesses were rare and very expensive. And I was cheap. I learned a heck of a lot building that instrument.
- 1994 MIJ Fender Precision Lyte (pawn shop find) - Replaced the pickups with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders, added a battery box and fixed all the finish issues. It's the bass that sits by my computer and I do most of my practicing with. It's all a lot lighter than most of my other basses, so I've used it when I've hurt my lower back.
- Brice 6 string - Bought new at the beginning of the 5 & 6 string boom from Rondo Music because it was super cheap (under $400 with exchange, brokerage fees and shipping to Canada). Just added a strap button about a foot up from the end pin to help with neck dive. Everything else is stock, except the battery box that self destructed after one too many battery changes.
- Ergo 5 string Upright Electric Bass - Added string trees to the head stock to put a break angle on the strings, purchased and installed custom sized piezo pickups from K&K Sound, build a bunch of bridges to get something I liked tone and action wise, installed volume, tone, balance controls and added strap buttons to play it off the stand.
- 2015 Rickenbacker 4003 Jetglow - Just added a strap button up from the end pin button, added a strap button around the edge of the horn (about 2 inches) to help with neck dive, applied conductive paint to the control cavities to reduce hum and replaced the pickguard with a custom work of art from Alperious Pick Guards.
- 2017 MIM Geddy Lee Jazz - Replaced the pickups with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders, replaced the controls with a stack pot set from 920D, drilled holes and inserted tungsten rods under the tuners to elminate a dead spot on the E string and replaced the pickguard with a custom work of art from Alperious Pick Guards.
- MIA Tacoma Thunderchief - I repaired a crack in the neck by the head stock and replaced the bar piezo pickup with a K&K Sound under top piezo set.
- A Korean no-name sample uke bass from Rondo Music - I had to carve off a bit of the head stock to shorten it so it would fit in a Kala case.
Others have come and gone, but these ones have proven themselves over the years. All get used, depending on the music being played and the gig. All sound different.
Mostly, I'm chasing tone and functionality. If the instrument isn't working for me, there's no reason to suffer. I routinely will add an extra strap button above the end pin button to help with basses that have a neck dive issue and replace the pickups if they sound wimpy (to me). Besides, none of my instruments are worth anything significant or will gain in value by keeping them stock with the exception of the 4003.
- Home built 35 year old short scale fretless (original design - not a fender knock off). Built in my apartment kitchen because at that time fretlesses were rare and very expensive. And I was cheap. I learned a heck of a lot building that instrument.
- 1994 MIJ Fender Precision Lyte (pawn shop find) - Replaced the pickups with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders, added a battery box and fixed all the finish issues. It's the bass that sits by my computer and I do most of my practicing with. It's all a lot lighter than most of my other basses, so I've used it when I've hurt my lower back.
- Brice 6 string - Bought new at the beginning of the 5 & 6 string boom from Rondo Music because it was super cheap (under $400 with exchange, brokerage fees and shipping to Canada). Just added a strap button about a foot up from the end pin to help with neck dive. Everything else is stock, except the battery box that self destructed after one too many battery changes.
- Ergo 5 string Upright Electric Bass - Added string trees to the head stock to put a break angle on the strings, purchased and installed custom sized piezo pickups from K&K Sound, build a bunch of bridges to get something I liked tone and action wise, installed volume, tone, balance controls and added strap buttons to play it off the stand.
- 2015 Rickenbacker 4003 Jetglow - Just added a strap button up from the end pin button, added a strap button around the edge of the horn (about 2 inches) to help with neck dive, applied conductive paint to the control cavities to reduce hum and replaced the pickguard with a custom work of art from Alperious Pick Guards.
- 2017 MIM Geddy Lee Jazz - Replaced the pickups with Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders, replaced the controls with a stack pot set from 920D, drilled holes and inserted tungsten rods under the tuners to elminate a dead spot on the E string and replaced the pickguard with a custom work of art from Alperious Pick Guards.
- MIA Tacoma Thunderchief - I repaired a crack in the neck by the head stock and replaced the bar piezo pickup with a K&K Sound under top piezo set.
- A Korean no-name sample uke bass from Rondo Music - I had to carve off a bit of the head stock to shorten it so it would fit in a Kala case.
Others have come and gone, but these ones have proven themselves over the years. All get used, depending on the music being played and the gig. All sound different.
