Bass Mods... Seriously???

[gjohnson441496]

I like it. I don't boost or cut very much because its a very dramatic pre. A little boost goes a long way with it. Some basses I've had (like the stingray for example) i often ran with everything cranked. The Aguilar has so much more boost/cut range i don't have to do that to get what i want. It got rid of the noise associated with cheap pres, and the bass is a little beefier sounding. I'd recommend it to anyone who plays rock or metal, if your playing pop or want a cleaner slap sound id recommend audere

You have no idea how helpful your opinion is on this. I have the Aguilar OBP 3 preamp installed on my Fender P bass and it works exactly as you described. It is very responsive to a little cut or a little boost and I am very satisfied with it. I've noticed from this thread that more than a few post mentioned Audere pre amp. I went to the website for more info and I was considering installing that one in my Jazz bass... You just confirmed it for me. I'm going to go ahead and purchase it.

Another post commented about the statement I made about "installation cost." He said "how much does a screwdriver and soldering gun cost?" So I took that as to mean it's pretty simple to do your own mods. I do my own adjustments (string height, truss rod, etc), but have never done any soldering and frankly I'm a bit hesitant, but willing to attempt it if it's "that" straight forward. What's your opinion on doing preamp mods. Is it really that straight forward or can something go terribly wrong in the process if you don't get it right?

Thanks again for answering my question. It was very helpful.

 

[Orange Caesar]

I have an unmodded Geddy Lee J bass... unmodded, why? Because it's a Geddy Lee bass... I bought that bass almost 10 years ago because I thought he was the sh*t... I wanted a bass as close to sounding and looking as I could get to his... thing plays awesome... sounds great... do I sound like him.... nope... not even close... could I mod it to sound "different", "better" or "worse"... yup... but then, it wouldn't be a Geddy Lee... in this case, I bought his sig bass for just that... his sig bass... be cool if I could get a Geddy Lee sig ric...

Would I mod a Matt Freeman or Eva Gardner sig bass?... yup... probably... eventually, if I had one of those... while im sure they're good players (why else would they get their own sig bass)... ummmm.... I'm not even sure if I know any of their music... no offense to fans of those musicians... they just didn't have the influence that Geddy Lee had on me... so mod it is...

 

[gjohnson441496]

I have an unmodded Geddy Lee J bass... unmodded, why? Because it's a Geddy Lee bass... I bought that bass almost 10 years ago because I thought he was the sh*t... I wanted a bass as close to sounding and looking as I could get to his... thing plays awesome... sounds great... do I sound like him.... nope... not even close... could I mod it to sound "different", "better" or "worse"... yup... but then, it wouldn't be a Geddy Lee... in this case, I bought his sig bass for just that... his sig bass... be cool if I could get a Geddy Lee sig ric...

Would I mod a Matt Freeman or Eva Gardner sig bass?... yup... probably... eventually, if I had one of those... while im sure they're good players (why else would they get their own sig bass)... ummmm.... I'm not even sure if I know any of their music... no offense to fans of those musicians... they just didn't have the influence that Geddy Lee had on me... so mod it is...

That Eva Gardner bass looks great. The only 2 signature basses I would even consider (I'm not into the whole signature series thing), would be that Eva Gardner or the Adam Clayton

 

[gjohnson441496]

You have no idea how helpful your opinion is on this. I have the Aguilar OBP 3 preamp installed on my Fender P bass and it works exactly as you described. It is very responsive to a little cut or a little boost and I am very satisfied with it. I've noticed from this thread that more than a few post mentioned Audere pre amp. I went to the website for more info and I was considering installing that one in my Jazz bass... You just confirmed it for me. I'm going to go ahead and purchase it.

Another post commented about the statement I made about "installation cost." He said "how much does a screwdriver and soldering gun cost?" So I took that as to mean it's pretty simple to do your own mods. I do my own adjustments (string height, truss rod, etc), but have never done any soldering and frankly I'm a bit hesitant, but willing to attempt it if it's "that" straight forward. What's your opinion on doing preamp mods. Is it really that straight forward or can something go terribly wrong in the process if you don't get it right?

Thanks again for answering my question. It was very helpful.

Actually, I just saw that no soldering is required on the preamp.

 

[Orange Caesar]

That Eva Gardner bass looks great. The only 2 signature basses I would even consider (I'm not into the whole signature series thing), would be that Eva Gardner or the Adam Clayton

Hmmmmm... maybe... me gets an Eva Gardner... why not he says...

 

[TBird1958]

Just being honest here. For the life of me I can't understand why anyone would buy a guitar with the intentions of modding it. I can understand if you had a bass for a while, years, and decided maybe I'll upgrade the pickups or whatever. But, to buy a bass with intentions to immediately mod it???? Why not just find the bass that you're looking for and be done with it? Lets say you spend $300.00 on a bass, buy another 300.00 worth of upgrades, and pay for labor on top of that. Why not just save the money and buy the bass you're after? I'm mostly referring to mods that effect sound or playability.
I don't know I just had to post this because I seriously don't get it. Is it just a hobbyist thing?

It's a rare insanity...........

This is a stock Gibson Nikki Sixx Mk II Thunderbird that I took all the black hardware off. I had the bridge and opti grab stripped and chrome plated. I replaced the TRC and PG with new parts made of laser cut stainless steel ( I also had these chromed). The pickups were replaced with Mike Lull T Bass (exact repros of '63 Gibson) and chrome rings were added. The tuners were replaced with clover Hipshots and the bass was rewired to VVT '63 spec.
The net result is gaudy, yes I wanted that, it also sounds exactly like a '63 Thunderbird IV. I really wanted that.
Stock....

My way....

 

[Orange Caesar]

It's a rare insanity...........

This is a stock Gibson Nikki Sixx Mk II Thunderbird that I took all the black hardware off. I had the bridge and opti grab stripped and chrome plated. I replaced the TRC and PG with new parts made of laser cut stainless steel ( I also had these chromed). The pickups were replaced with Mike Lull T Bass (exact repros of '63 Gibson) and chrome rings were added. The tuners were replaced with clover Hipshots and the bass was rewired to VVT '63 spec.
The net result is gaudy, yes I wanted that, it also sounds exactly like a '63 Thunderbird IV. I really wanted that.
Stock....

My way....

Beautiful mods!!

Just checked out the yt vid of hungry like a wolf... wholly sh*tballs... you killed that song... my daughter just learned the reflex by duran duran... maybe this one next... gonna show her your vid... just awesome...

And the line up of tbirds on your band website has me wanting one...

Anyways... again... beautiful job on the tbird mods...

 

[Orange Caesar]

It's a rare insanity...........

This is a stock Gibson Nikki Sixx Mk II Thunderbird that I took all the black hardware off. I had the bridge and opti grab stripped and chrome plated. I replaced the TRC and PG with new parts made of laser cut stainless steel ( I also had these chromed). The pickups were replaced with Mike Lull T Bass (exact repros of '63 Gibson) and chrome rings were added. The tuners were replaced with clover Hipshots and the bass was rewired to VVT '63 spec.
The net result is gaudy, yes I wanted that, it also sounds exactly like a '63 Thunderbird IV. I really wanted that.
Stock....

My way....

... and.... far from gaudy.... your bass is probably the least gaudy thing on stage with regards to your vids... still... awesome...

 

[gjohnson441496]

It's a rare insanity...........

This is a stock Gibson Nikki Sixx Mk II Thunderbird that I took all the black hardware off. I had the bridge and opti grab stripped and chrome plated. I replaced the TRC and PG with new parts made of laser cut stainless steel ( I also had these chromed). The pickups were replaced with Mike Lull T Bass (exact repros of '63 Gibson) and chrome rings were added. The tuners were replaced with clover Hipshots and the bass was rewired to VVT '63 spec.
The net result is gaudy, yes I wanted that, it also sounds exactly like a '63 Thunderbird IV. I really wanted that.
Stock....

My way....

Gawd I love Hungry Like the Wolf, thanks for sharing those vids and the pics of your mod thunderbird. The only thing that scares me is that Subaru Outback behind it! I want to save that bass from harm.

 

[TBird1958]

Gawd I love Hungry Like the Wolf, thanks for sharing those vids and the pics of your mod thunderbird. The only thing that scares me is that Subaru Outback behind it! I want to save that bass from harm.

Subies love Thunderbirds so no worries there The bass was a fun project, I did the work except the rewire a set up, those were Mike Lull - He can make anything play fantastic! And thanks for the kind words about my band

 

[gjohnson441496]

Hmmmmm... maybe... me gets an Eva Gardner... why not he says...

why not, says he...

 

[GIBrat51]

Just depends on the bass and the circumstance at the time, for me. I tend to leave my basses the way they came from the maker (strings excepted) if the original intent was to play them. Some of them, though, were bought to be a project first; then get played. The Rick? Player. The Alembic? Player. The Kramer Forum? Just looking at the "knobs" should tell you. Project. Just depends on which one we're talking about...

 

[gjohnson441496]

View attachment 540490 View attachment 540491 View attachment 540492 Just depends on the bass and the circumstance at the time, for me. I tend to leave my basses the way they came from the maker (strings excepted) if the original intent was to play them. Some of them, though, were bought to be a project first; then get played. The Rick? Player. The Alembic? Player. The Kramer Forum? Just looking at the "knobs" should tell you. Project. Just depends on which one we're talking about...

Rolling 7 & 10 on the dice. Do those numbers indicate where you set your volume and tone? What pups do you have in the Kramer? I couldn't tell by looking at the image but it looks like a Jazz pup at the bridge. I've seen some sweet images of basses on this post and that Alembic definitely qualifies as Sweet. Something about the horn on the downside (for a righty) makes that bass sexy (I probably shouldn't be lusting after your bass, huh?). As a lefty, did you have to order the Ric? Thanks for sharing.

 

[madmaxreach]

Some of us are just compulsive tweakers! Be it basses, cars, computers, houses, whatever. If I'm spending big money, I want to buy my ideal without work - at that moment, I'm paying a master, after all! But, I love getting a cheapie with potential to play with, too. Also, it's a lot more economical to practice fret leveling on a $50 craigslist special than on a $10,000 Fodera, if you're compelled to learn... It's also a wonderful learning experience to figure out first hand what it means to set up a neck, or change out pups - it helps to challenge assumption you may have had, and figure out how things really work, vs what some self proclaimed experts may say...

I like to practice new maintenance things on a cheapy, and if I get comfortable with it, I can then do my nice stuff with confidence. And once you know how to do some basic things, calling BS on bad work gets a little bit easier, and you enable yourself to make things exactly to your taste.

 

[JACink]

Admittedly I have skipped a few pages, but do I see that the OP has gone from not understanding mods to wanting to mod?

If so... have fun!

 

[gjohnson441496]

Admittedly I have skipped a few pages, but do I see that the OP has gone from not understanding mods to wanting to mod?

If so... have fun!

LOL. Hey man, an open mind is a terrible thing to waste. I had no idea so many people hot mod their instruments for various reasons. Some, for personal satisfaction as a project, some to get the sound they want - be it the high cost of buying a custom bass, or having a bass that wasn't what they thought it was. Some, just because they can. What I've learned from this is that there is a distinction between modding and tweaking. I fall in the category of tweaker now.

Thanks for posting your observation.

 

[EZA]

Since the conversation is not face to face, I used this phrase as not to come off as an arrogant a$$hole.

oh I know why people do it because we leave in a hyper sensitive world. And if you are telling someone what to do then I can see it being perceived as being an ******* but if you are stating your opinion in a discussion you would not be.

 

[GIBrat51]

Rolling 7 & 10 on the dice. Do those numbers indicate where you set your volume and tone? What pups do you have in the Kramer? I couldn't tell by looking at the image but it looks like a Jazz pup at the bridge. I've seen some sweet images of basses on this post and that Alembic definitely qualifies as Sweet. Something about the horn on the downside (for a righty) makes that bass sexy (I probably shouldn't be lusting after your bass, huh?). As a lefty, did you have to order the Ric? Thanks for sharing.

The dice? No idea; I think they just came that way (from Allparts). The pickups are P-bass/ Jazz from Spector (which was owned by Kramer in the '80s). They're hard to see because they're being held in by electrical tape. All the screws were rusted to death on it, but it did play (sorta) when I got it. All the electrics and hardware are going away soon; it's next after the current project. The Rick? No, I bought it several years ago, in the middle of Rickenbacker's last "No Leftys" period. It's a Color of the Year 2001 (Desert Gold), and like the other 2, I got it off eBay. And as for the Alembic Epic (a '94); lust away! I wasn't thrilled with that shape at first, but it's grown on me. It's very comfortable to play, and is really pretty in person. They'll be glad to sell you one just like it; just be sitting down when you hear the price. For the majority of us, Alembics are definitely best bought used.

 

[EZA]

It's a rare insanity...........

This is a stock Gibson Nikki Sixx Mk II Thunderbird that I took all the black hardware off. I had the bridge and opti grab stripped and chrome plated. I replaced the TRC and PG with new parts made of laser cut stainless steel ( I also had these chromed). The pickups were replaced with Mike Lull T Bass (exact repros of '63 Gibson) and chrome rings were added. The tuners were replaced with clover Hipshots and the bass was rewired to VVT '63 spec.
The net result is gaudy, yes I wanted that, it also sounds exactly like a '63 Thunderbird IV. I really wanted that.
Stock....

My way....

I would not transport my bass on a bicycle rack on my car like that I would be too nervous.

 

[JACink]

I would not transport my bass on a bicycle rack on my car like that I would be too nervous.

But you can just back onto the stage, and it serves as a stand!