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Assembling your own basses vs buying production basses vs modding
- Thread starter SactoBass
- Start date
I think mods are a crap shoot. If it aint working right off the rack, then mods might just be wasting more money.
Absolutely!
For me, that is of no consequence as I have zero interest in resale value. But for others, if resale value is a priority parameter, then other options may be more prudent.
I agree that putting a Fender decal on a non-Fender-made headstock is something I would not do. For the record, the USA Fender necks that are on the four Fender basses in the pic in my OP came with the Fender decal as they are official, genuine made-in-USA Fender necks made at the Fender USA factory. I purchased them brand new. If Fender is okay selling them that way, then I'm okay using them!
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I've had about four basses in the last thirteen years. Only two have stayed so far, and I honestly intend to keep them. I've got aftermarket pickups in both of them, but I might bring my mexican back to stock, the fiver I got used with an aftermarket bridge pickup, might replace the neck pickup since I don't have the original bridge pickup.
You can get exactly what you want by either parts-building or modding, but honestly what I need is served off the shelf well enough for me I guess, and if you intend to or end up selling down the road more often than not you'll end up losing money down the road. There are absolutely exceptions but in general that's what I've seen.
You can get exactly what you want by either parts-building or modding, but honestly what I need is served off the shelf well enough for me I guess, and if you intend to or end up selling down the road more often than not you'll end up losing money down the road. There are absolutely exceptions but in general that's what I've seen.
And that is an excellent choice!
+1
And btw, your avatar is very cool!
I feel like you're generally just enjoying that people enjoy playing bass, I enjoy that, which reminds me I need to go and practice.
and btw, thanks, I've also enjoyed yours for a while. I also am not fond of stalin or anything, I just like the hat tbh.
Yes, it's one the things I like best about Talkbass!
To be honest, I started this thread because I was curious to find out how many TB'ers have discovered the pleasure and satisfaction of either assembling their own basses, or modding production basses, to suit their individual preferences. Based on the responses so far, and the poll results, it appears to me that a significant percentage of TB'ers prefer to expand beyond stock production basses.
What??? And step away from Talkbass??? Isn't there a law that prohibits such behavior?
Dogs always look cool in hats!
Depends on your tastes. The necks I like cost $400 or so from Warmoth. The only bass I’ve ever seen with a semi comparable (not quite equal) neck cost $3000.
Yikes!
Three large is alotta coinage for a neck! (Well, at least *TO ME* it is!) The genuine USA Fender necks I bought for the four Fender basses shown in my OP cost me somewhere around $500 to $600 each.
EDIT: I misread it. The entire bass (with the semi comparable neck) cost $3k, not just the neck by itself. I think I need to clean my reading glasses!
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Yikes!
The genuine USA Fender necks I bought for the four Fender basses shown in my OP cost me somewhere around $500 to $600 each.
I think the whole bass cost 3000, not just the neck.
Yikes!
The genuine USA Fender necks I bought for the four Fender basses shown in my OP cost me somewhere around $500 to $600 each.
From Warmoth, you get more for $400 (roasted maple, stainless frets) than you get for $500 from Fender. Plus your choice of fretboard woods, and a few other options.
Ah yes, thanks for that clarification.
As I reread his post just now, I can see how I misinterpreted it.I've bought $3000 Fender Custom Shop basses before. They were okay. To be honest, I like the Fender basses I have now more than the CS basses I owned.
Oh yes, no doubt about those Warmoth necks. They are sweet! And the buyer can select whatever specs he/she so chooses, which is very cool. I chose the genuine USA Fender necks for my four Fender builds because I like the traditional look of the Fender headstock shape, along with the genuine Fender decal. Just personal preference there, of course.
I've assembled about half a dozen instruments at this point, and several of them are my go-to faves. I don't know if I'll ever buy a production instrument again, at this point - I'd rather have the exact specs I want for neck thickness, width, radius, materials, etc., and for body type, wood, pickups,etc., at a price comparable to a similar quality production model which would not meet my wishes quite so closely. Don't care about resale at this point, so this is a no brainer for me. I enjoy the tinkering and putting together of parts anyway, so it's a win/win.
Oh yes, no doubt about those Warmoth necks. They are sweet! And the buyer can select whatever specs he/she so chooses, which is very cool. I chose the genuine USA Fender necks for my four Fender builds because I like the traditional look of the Fender headstock shape, along with the genuine Fender decal. Just personal preference there, of course.
If you want a Fender shaped headstock, Warmoth makes those (I re-shape mine). The decal, that’s a separate issue.
I've gotten into playing 30" scale exclusively due to physical needs. I have a stagg bass that I modded a good bit that is my favorite player. I also built two basses with necks from Eden Guitars ( no connection, just like the necks I have bought ), cut/modified and finished the bodies myself. I am interested in an Ibanez TMB30 that I would most likely change the tuners ( hipshot ultralite ) and pickups on ( bartolini or dimarzio or ?? ). Nothing here is high dollar, but I seem to end up with about $380 to $450 into each bass when it's all over. Think I am done building/modding basses for now ( unless I get that Ibby ).
