Bass modifications...why?

[swarfrat]

Not a single one of those figures was anywhere close to the low end.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I do almost all my own work.

That being said, those figures are not low end, even for the labor.

your probably better off coming up with the extra $400 dollars for a bass that not only has great pick ups but a whole lot more! hey if upgrading is your thing go for it!

You're (you are) the one to make the decision, but your numbers are pretty far off IMHO.

 

[Ric5]

I've been playing bass since I was 8 years old and I'm now in my 60's. I notice that many, many players make modifications to their basses. I've never had anything but stock basses in all those years. I realize I'm old school, but what is it that you're after that you can't get out of a stock instrument?

I absolutely cannot imagine playing a stock bass ... What got me started modifying basses was I the fact that I love Rickenbackers and I want to play 5 string basses. For a while Rickenbacker made the 4003s5 bass which gave you a 4003 bass with a low B. This bass was awesome except for the string spacing. So I started modifying the 4003s5 to have a wider spacing. Rickenbacker then made the 4004cii5. This bass had a wider string spacing but it had pickups that could only have a 2 1/4" string spacing. So essentially it was a 3 string bass. So I started converting 4 string Rickenbackers into 5 string Rickenbackers. Also I started building parts basses where I could pretty much make any kind of bass I want to. Then I would keep tweaking my basses until I got them to be what I want them to be.

So now I have a lot of basses and they are always getting modified.

There aren't too many basses that I would own and play and not modify.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

It's the "Diamond in the rough" or "Realizing the potential" thing. You might see a crappy sounding P copy, but if the neck is solid all it needs is some cleaning, new pickups/wiring, and a decent setup. Boom, I have the equivalent of a $600-800 (or more) bass for roughly $200 plus $150 in parts. It's all in ROI for what you'll use it for.

My best example (might not be for you) is with desktop PCs. Good luck finding a PC with the beef for serious gaming or video editing (decent processor, generous RAM, dedicated video card, etc) for under $1,000. You'll pay twice the price for the same exact hardware just tossed in a box that says "Alienware" on it. It depends on want to do with it, but for me the same concept applies. I can do the work myself and get waaaaaay more value out of it. That's why I mod

 

[Killed_by_Death]

around $200 pick ups (on the low end)

I can get two of the ones I like for less than $100:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If it were a Precision bass, you could cut that cost back to less than $50.

another $200 for bridge (again on the low end)

Here is a Fender High Mass bridge, for less than $75:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

plus probably another $350 in labor!

The local luthier would replace the pots, change the pickups and bridge for about $100.
It's very easy to replace a bridge, so I would definitely do that myself. I would also do a shielding job of the controls & pickup cavity while I had it apart.
Your American Fender isn't going to be shielded.
I would also do my own work on changing the pickups & pots, but I do understand a lot of people would take it to the shop.

not to mention the aggravation/waiting /the shipping cost / gigs you lost waiting on it etc. it adds up quickly!!

It adds up to zero, since just about all of us have at least one other bass to use in the meantime.


The question the OP asked was "Why do you upgrade?", not "Why would you never upgrade?"


BTW, my MIM came with a high mass bridge & the pickups I like, so I'm set.
The only upgrade I did was change the wiring & shielded it.

 

[Ninevolt]

I agree with SuperFreak. I'd rather find a gem in the MIM line and give it some TLC.
Even on a US strat I would replace the bridge block $50, the nut $20, pups $300, rewire the control circuit with a blend b to n $5,
dummy coil $1.
Someday I'll save up for a MIM Pbass. Most likely I'll swap out the pups/nut/pickgaurd.

"Saving $ and getting it your way, for everything else there's Mastercard"

 

[Rocktometrist]

Ok fair enough.. I'll meet half way...
i agree on mods if not on a colector Basses especially when it comes to looks! Colors/pick guard/ gold vs black hardware etc. Fine!
But when people get into cutting into the body to add pick ups or filling in pick up holes changing everything under the sun (in some case) it would probably be cheaper just to buy what you really want in the first place VS upgrading to the extremes!
in my opinion , if people must modify
they should focus on what really matters SOUND feel etc. Even if it takes sacraficing that cool vintage cream color and very cool tort guard etc.

I've heard of some modifying only cuz there favorate celebrity bass player has it a certain way! that's another thing i dont get !
what works for others doesn't necessarily mean it will work for you and me.

No offense, but I'm reasonably confident that nobody cares whether you "agree" with their mods or need your opinion on what they "should focus on" when making decisions about their personal property. They also probably don't care if their mods will "work for you".

If you don't own it, you don't get a say, no matter how much you disapprove (although I still can't figure out why you would care what someone else does with their own stuff). You like expensive stock instruments? Buy an expensive stock instrument and enjoy the heck out of it. Other people will make different choices. (The horror!)...

 

[Berniez40]

Then there's the Squier Bass VI. Some people like it better than the Fender Custom VI, because its closer to the original Fender VI from the late sixties. Even so...the bridge is a piece of junk. Why mod it? Because the dang thing won't strobe tune if you don't. Good luck taking that one into the studio as a stock piece of kit. Who wants to throw away a recording option/opportunity just because they'd rather have a museum piece than a functional tool. I understand the mode of thinking, because there's a boat load of that in the double bass world where alterations can truly have an effect on the value of an instrument...I just don't agree with it when it comes to low to mid priced basses. Besides, even Chuck Rainey...yes The Chuck Rainey, had his prize '57 P-Bass Routed out to take a 2-TEK Bridge.--Look it up. (Personally I wouldn't have done it)..but Chuck said...."It's a tool that I use to make my living. It may be a collector's item to some, but to me, it is a tool that has served me well over the years. I need it to keep serving me well for some time to come." Eventually that bass got nicked and resides in the vault of some Japanese collector.

 

[madbass6]

No offense, but I'm reasonably confident that nobody cares whether you "agree" with their mods or need your opinion on what they "should focus on" when making decisions about their personal property. They also probably don't care if their mods will "work for you".

If you don't own it, you don't get a say, no matter how much you disapprove (although I still can't figure out why you would care what someone else does with their own stuff). You like expensive stock instruments? Buy an expensive stock instrument and enjoy the heck out of it. Other people will make different choices. (The horror!)...

Yeah Im offended in tears now.. lol..
hey im not the one asking! I just stated my opinion like ever one else.. as you just stated yours! U don't like my opinion ? Thats fine.. no one is asking to agree with it. but I sure do liked yours thou.
After all Laughter is the best medicine.. thanks.

Then why ask?

 

[Rocktometrist]

Yeah Im offended in tears now.. lol..
hey im not the one asking! I just stated my opinion like ever one else.. as you just stated yours! U don't like my opinion ? Thats fine.. no one is asking to agree with it. but I sure do liked yours thou.
After all Laughter is the best medicine.. thanks.

Then why ask?

I like your opinion--if its your stuff you can do whatever you want! Which is awesome! I may have misunderstood you (I thought you were disapproving of what people did with their stuff instead of just stating your opinion about what you do with your own stuff). Apologies--carry on!

 

[Ericnordicbee]

Another reason is because even if the instrument ends up getting sold, will probably take less of a hit than if I ordered a custom instrument and decided I didn't like it and sold it and started that process over again. Have a guitar friend who has owned at least 6 different custom acoustics, ended up selling every one and losing a big chunk of money each time. He looks at it as still cheaper than playing golf.

Oh, and for me it's not just instruments, every bicycle I own has been modified in one way or another.

 

[superheavyfunk]

I've got a 1962 Fender Jaguar that I've had since I was 15 that's been routed out for humbuckers, had the pickguard spraypainted black, and the headstock is being held together with duct tape.

I've got a late 70's Precision that I've drilled to add a chrome pickup cover, and I've replaced the pickguard (and lost the original), replaced the knobs and will very likely swap out the pickups for something else, and a Stingray I just bought that is most likely going to get a new Glockenklang preamp and possibly get routed to install another pickup in the neck position.

Finally, I've got a Mexican Telecaster that I've swapped the pickups out on, sanded the whole body down to the bare wood, routed for a humbucker at the neck, chopped up the pickguard, sanded the gloss off both sides of the neck and then attempted to "relic" the neck by rubbing shoe polish on the maple fingerboard. Lol.

And really, who cares? They're my instruments. Why shouldn't I do whatever I please with them? I'm a player and a tinkerer, not a collector. I prefer to think about improving my chops and sounding/feeling good on stage, than about the resale value of my gear.

 

[zontar]

I haven't modified either of my basses, although I have considered a stronger pickup for the neck position on my EB-3 copy--I can use it if I use both pickup, but on its own it doesn't do much.
Fortunately I like the bridge pickup.

Although I did remove the pickguard & the bridge cover & foam mute. (Is that a mod?)

I've modified two guitars -my first electric--both to replace broken parts & to upgrade the pickups.
And another I bought used & already modded--I just modded it some more.

 

[madbass6]

I Julypickike your opinion--if its your stuff you can do whatever you want! Which is awesome! I may have misunderstood you (I thought you were disapproving of what people did with their stuff instead of just stating your opinion about what you do with your own stuff). Apologies--carry on!

Not a single one of those figures was anywhere close to the low end.

I can get two of the ones I like for less than $100:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If it were a Precision bass, you could cut that cost back to less than $50.




Here is a Fender High Mass bridge, for less than $75:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The local luthier would replace the pots, change the pickups and bridge for about $100.
It's very easy to replace a bridge, so I would definitely do that myself. I would also do a shielding job of the controls & pickup cavity while I had it apart.
Your American Fender isn't going to be shielded.
I would also do my own work on changing the pickups & pots, but I do understand a lot of people would take it to the shop.




It adds up to zero, since just about all of us have at least one other bass to use in the meantime.


The question the OP asked was "Why do you upgrade?", not "Why would you never upgrade?"


BTW, my MIM came with a high mass bridge & the pickups I like, so I'm set.
The only upgrade I did was change the wiring & pgrading matters c well go for the best!

I can get two of the ones I like for less than $100:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If it were a Precision bass, you could cut that cost back to less than $50.




Here is a Fender High Mass bridge, for less than $75:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

The local luthier would replace the pots, change the pickups and bridge for about $100.
It's very easy to replace a bridge, so I would definitely do that myself. I would also do a shielding job of the controls & pickup cavity while I had it apart.
Your American Fender isn't going to be shielded.
I would also do my own work on changing the pickups & pots, but I do understand a lot of people would take it to the shop.




It adds up to zero, since just about all of us have at least one other bass to use in the meantime.


The question the OP asked was "Why do you upgrade?", not "Why would you never upgrade?"


BTW, my MIM came with a high mass bridge & the pickups I like, so I'm set.
The only upgrade I did was change the wiring & shielded it.

Ok" I guess we just have different ideas or opinions on what upgrading a Bass is! and thats fine everybody is entitled to there opinion.. in my opinion if upgrading ur cheap Bass matters well make it worth it! upgrade it to a monster Bass! NOT upgrade it to a little better cheap Bass!
those seymoure duncs are nice but defenetly not there higher end ones neither is that $ 50 bridge! when bored enough look up a nice real Bass Bridge like a a 2tek ($202) & a nice set of Bartolini J pick ups (($190) youll see my prices were not that off after all! & NO im not implying that more expensive is better! But you defenetly get what you pay for ! upgrading is not as cheap or easy as you make it sound ! Well atleast if not doing a half ass upgrade!
maybe on the labor part I was of by a bit, but then again maybe not! Not every luthier charges the same! but to say only $100 for pick up and bridge replacement is just ridiculus! so for the sake of topic in hand and consideration to others lets just agree to disagree & move on..

 

[Killed_by_Death]

That bridge, that I pointed out, is what Fender uses in their American line, and those Bart pickups are probably better than what's on the American Fender line.
Seymour Duncan's most popular bass pickups are still under $100.

I guess I will go tell my local luthier that his prices are ridiculous, because I just love paying more.
"half ass upgrade" INDEED!

BTW, you're the one who said $200 were low end estimates, so you're only contradicting yourself at this point.

If any luthier would charge you $350 to put on a bridge & some new pickups, you need to find a new luthier.

I want to point out some spelling/grammar errors, but that never goes well.
It also makes it personal, but the "half ass" part got me there.
I will say that spelling/grammar errors tend to devalue the credibility of the writer.

 

[swarfrat]

obviously we must bow out to your superior tastes.

 

[Ninevolt]

Finally, I've got a Mexican Telecaster that I've swapped the pickups out on, sanded the whole body down to the bare wood, routed for a humbucker at the neck, chopped up the pickguard, sanded the gloss off both sides of the neck and then attempted to "relic" the neck by rubbing shoe polish on the maple fingerboard. Lol.
And really, who cares? They're my instruments. Why shouldn't I do whatever I please with them? I

That sounds very much like something I would do. Strip the body, rout a HB in the neck, sand the neck, mess with the pickguard. I would strip the body to leave it sealed though, myself. Then I would put a thin laquer clear coat. I also would refinish the neck with some kind of polish. Done right it fills in tiny holes in the wood and gives it a natural feeling that isnt too slick or sticky, just perfect!

 

[madbass6]

Hey relax dude... Agree to disagree ? If You dont thats ur problem.. if you do , good!
regardless Move on either way please

and yes my spelling sucks , agree to disagree ?
If not move on either way please i agree 100%

Half ass upgrade ?
onece again u agree to disagree ? If not move on either way ! in consideration to others
this is not the place for BS back & fourth arguing!

I stated my opion don't agree ? that's fine! onece again, lets agree to disagree please period and move on !

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Hey relax dude... Agree to disagree ?

Sure!
FWIW, I haven't upgraded all my instruments. Many have come and gone w/o going under the knife (so to speak).
I've upgraded only the ones I intended on keeping for a good long time, perhaps until death.

I also have 3 top of the line instruments, of which only one I've modified. My G&L remains stock, as well as my B.C. Rich.
I did change the pots in my Rickenbacker, because I knew it would increase the output & make the tone brighter.
No sense having a Rickenbacker, if it can't chirp like a bird, IMHO.

Obviously upgrading isn't for every instrument, or every owner, especially if that person needs to hire a luthier for every aspect.

I've gained some great experience from working on my guitars & basses. I could build one from scratch, if I had the workspace & the tools.
I did some woodworking in my first few jobs. TBH, it's cheaper to buy one already built, and tear it apart to upgrade it.

 

[madbass6]

Sure!
FWIW, I haven't upgraded all my instruments. Many have come and gone w/o going under the knife (so to speak).
I've upgraded only the ones I intended on keeping for a good long time, perhaps until death.

I also have 3 top of the line instruments, of which only one I've modified. My G&L remains stock, as well as my B.C. Rich.
I did change the pots in my Rickenbacker, because I knew it would increase the output & make the tone brighter.
No sense having a Rickenbacker, if it can't chirp like a bird, IMHO.

Obviously upgrading isn't for every instrument, or every owner, especially if that person needs to hire a luthier for every aspect.

I've gained some great experience from working on my guitars & basses. I could build one from scratch, if I had the workspace & the tools.
I did some woodworking in my first few jobs. TBH, it's cheaper to buy one already built, and tear it apart to upgrade it.

Good for you.. there u go, got it of your chest!
now lets move on.