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Bass Modification!

redbeard1206

redbeard1206

Apr 15, 2011
224
0
Lexington, KY
#1
Okay, I had decided to sell a bass, which I'm now considering keeping and modding. I basically want to know your thoughts. I'll post some pics and tell you what I have in mind.

  • Gold Hardware
  • Have the original finish taken off and have the entire bass repaired and refinished
  • If possible, replace the soapbars with 2 humbuckers (What are your thoughts pickup-wise? Give me some thought on your favorites)
  • I'd also like to have a new preamp installed, I've considered Bart or Agulair, but what are your all's thoughts on preamps?
  • New bridge, pots, and a brass or bone nut

I'm really wanting to make this bass a beauty if I keep her, which I'm leaning heavily towards right now. Give me some thought on humbucking pickups and preamps though, as this is where I'm most unsure with what I want to do. I've considered going HS instead of HH with the pickups, but I've always loved HH basses. Give me some input!

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#2
Well, since you asked... I'd buy a different bass. Keep the Carvin as is and put it away for a while. Buy a bass that comes stock with all you listed. If it was a Squier or SX, I might say go ahead, but I've done major makeovers and usually regretted them. You'll also never get your money back it if it doesn't work out.

Look at all the old Fenders that were modded in the '70s and '80s that are worth a fraction of their stock counterparts.

Just my opinion, which is basically worth what was paid for it.
 
#3
Yes replacing J pups with soapbars or humbuckers is good choice imo. Personally I prefer soapbars like you find on Ibanez, Esp Ltd, Schecter, Spector, etc over humbuckers (those big wide ones with large exposed pole peices. Fave for brands would be emg, basslines, but lots like bartolini.

No reason not to mod a liked bass. is silly to keep it stock for resale value imo. Since that means sacrificing desired sound etc for dollar value to collectors if you decide to sell it later. Which just means your not gonna be happy with it and should sell it if not willing to mod it.
 
#4
darkstorm said:
Yes replacing J pups with soapbars or humbuckers is good choice imo. Personally I prefer soapbars like you find on Ibanez, Esp Ltd, Schecter, Spector, etc over humbuckers (those big wide ones with large exposed pole peices. Fave for brands would be emg, basslines, but lots like bartolini.

No reason not to mod a liked bass. is silly to keep it stock for resale value imo. Since that means sacrificing desired sound etc for dollar value to collectors if you decide to sell it later. Which just means your not gonna be happy with it and should sell it if not willing to mod it.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm thinking with this one. If I go ahead with these mods, it's not going to be to up the resale value, I'll want to keep this one as a player. The reason I was wanting to sell is to pick up another bass, but the more I think about it the more I'd really like to keep this one and put some work into it and get the tone I want out of it. Because I really love the bass, and have been having second thoughts ever since I listed it for sale. I feel like rather than dropping the money one a new bass, I'd rather get what I'm wanting out of this one.
 
#5
audiomitch said:
Well, since you asked... I'd buy a different bass. Keep the Carvin as is and put it away for a while. Buy a bass that comes stock with all you listed. If it was a Squier or SX, I might say go ahead, but I've done major makeovers and usually regretted them. You'll also never get your money back it if it doesn't work out.

Look at all the old Fenders that were modded in the '70s and '80s that are worth a fraction of their stock counterparts.

Just my opinion, which is basically worth what was paid for it.
Click to expand...

Audiomitch, not trying to completely disagree with you here, but I feel like putting that money into a cheaper bass isn't going to get me what I'm looking for either. I'm not going to mod it for the sake of modding, it'll be to get the sound I'm wanting out of a bass I really like. And I understand what your saying about resale value.
 
#9
redbeard1206 said:
I posted a thread last night about doing some modification to my bass, involving changing the pickups. I've got an idea of what I want to do, now I'm wanting to know If everything will fit together smoothly. I'm wanting to put a Bartolini XXM56C (I think in the neck) and an EMG 45DC (I think in the bridge). I may consider swapping the position of the two. Anyway, I'm wanting to install a Bartolini 5.2 A/P preamp as well. Will the EMG be able to be installed relatively hassle-free with this preamp? What are your opinions on the position these pickups should be installed in? I'm pretty set on Bart in the neck and EMG in the bridge, just wanted some other input.
Click to expand...

EMG and Bartolini usually do not go well together. Different impedance and all...
Choose what you like better and stick with that...
 
#15
Eric Moesle said:
If you do ALL of the mods you suggest, it would cost as much as buying another bass.

Professional refinish: +/- 250

Pickups: 150

Preamp: 150-250

Gold tuners: 150

6 string bridge 120

Nut replacement 100

You are now over a thousand dollars. Just buy a new one.
Click to expand...

I won't hit quite that much. And plan on making it a project over time, not all at once. The finishing I may be able to get a deal on. There is a local luthier in my hometown who I may be able to strike a deal with. Pickups and preamp are just about correct price-wise. Many of the other items I can probably find at a better price though.
 
#18
allexcosta said:
EMG and Bartolini have nothing in common besides being rectangular and black.
Click to expand...

+1

Stick with one or the other. Then use the pre-amp of your choice.

As for a re-finish, don't do it until you get the sound you are going for!! And keep all of the stock parts just in case you decide to sell!
 
#19
It's going to be tricky to get the EMG to work with the Bartolini's. The EMG is active, with the electronics built into the pickup. The Bart pickup is passive. It will take a fairly extensive reworking of the Bart pre to get it to work correctly, if it's even possible.
 

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