Bass Mods... Seriously???

[Mikaelbass]

Well I wanted a 60's thunderbird to play out live and use as a workhorse. Am I goin to do that with an 8+ grand vintage bass? Hell no, I can't Even begin to think about affording that.

So I ordered a new one along with a grands worth of parts/mods and turned a new one into an old one, which drastically outplays how it was to begin with.

 

[Geri O]

This is a forum. I just asked the question because I wanted information, which is what a forum is all about. It doesn't effect me at all and I'm not disparaging anyone's choice. Just curious. No big deal.

It is unfortunate that one can't ask a seemingly perfect question, whatever it is and however basic or complicated it may be without getting some pompous responses about their opinion of the question. Yeah, I raised an eyebrow at the question, but hey, I hope I responded in kind.

 

[Sav'nBass]

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?

Because a $300 bass with $300 worth of mods (especially depending on the mods) may sound and feel closer to that $1K bass that you would really like... than a $600 bass would...

OR

.. that $700 used bass with $300 worth of mods in it will scratch that $2K itch without the $2K pricetag.

OR

Some folks just want a mix of stuff in a bass that they cannot find unless they either get a cu$tom bass.... or get a bass that is as close to what they physically want... asymetrical neck (MTD Kingston cough cough cough) ... that Lakland groove (..and lemme tell ya.. there is something special about that Lakland groove.. even on the imports..) , traditional Fender body feel whatever... and then drop in the electronics that float their boat. There is a huge difference between the sound you get with a URetro-Audere-Bartolini-Aguilar-Nordstand-Delano- just to name a few .. Factor in the pups that come with some of these manufacturers... then also consider the mix and match factor.. (My 55-01 with Bart Mk5s and an Audere PZ4 KILLZ ... for me..) .. and it all becomes even more clear...

 

[iiipopes]

I bought my 5-string gig bass with no intention of modding it. Then after playing it awhile, I noticed it was a tad neck-heavy, so I swapped out the tuners for Hipshot UltraLites. Then I noticed the G string twanged more than it should, so I redid its anchor. Then I went with tapewound strings, and it started humming because of the effective disconnect of the bridge ground, so I changed out the passive soapbars for EMG actives, trying several models before settling on what I have now.

Most mods happen to meet players' needs. I couldn't find a hollow body electric bass to suit me, so I purchased an acoustic bass with the purpose of installing a soundhole pickup, different preamp, etc.

Sometimes, what the player wants just doesn't exist as a commercial offering, and either an existing instrument has to be modified, or a custom instrument built, like my custom half-fanned fret P/J.

Next project when time and money allow: a 5-string bass with the appointments of my current 5-string, but with the fanned frets like my P/J custom.

 

[ICM]

It's fun, simple as that. The DIY spirit is up, and then you can proudly have a bass that no one else has. It also helps you to get to know the instrument better. Because of this I can dial in my basses perfectly, every single time I set them up or mod them.

 

[iiipopes]

It's fun, simple as that. The DIY spirit is up, and then you can proudly have a bass that no one else has. It also helps you to get to know the instrument better. Because of this I can dial in my basses perfectly, every single time I set them up or mod them.

And then play and enjoy the gig, without anything causing fidgeting or fussing.

 

[Feral Feline]

Why not just find the bass that you're looking for and be done with it?

Just being honest here. For the life of me I can't understand why anyone can't understand why people buy a brand-new bass with the intentions of immediately modding it.

THE BASS I WANT DOES NOT EXIST.

But I found something pretty darned close, so I'm slowly MODDING IT TO WHAT I WANT, as time and money permit the upgrades and cosmetic changes. This is faster and less expensive than having a Custom Fender Shop Black Jaguar built with the pickups/switches/bridge/tuners that I want. It's a no brainer.


I don't know I just had to post this because I seriously don't get what is so hard to understand. Is it just a lack of thinking the question through?

 

[gjohnson441496]

Just being honest here. For the life of me I can't understand why anyone can't understand why people buy a brand-new bass with the intentions of immediately modding it.

THE BASS I WANT DOES NOT EXIST.

But I found something pretty darned close, so I'm slowly MODDING IT TO WHAT I WANT, as time and money permit the upgrades and cosmetic changes. This is faster and less expensive than having a Custom Fender Shop Black Jaguar built with the pickups/switches/bridge/tuners that I want. It's a no brainer.


I don't know I just had to post this because I seriously don't get what is so hard to understand. Is it just a lack of thinking the question through?[/QUOTE
Perhaps you should re-read the original post slowly and maybe you'll understand it the second time. Focus on the part of the sentence that says "brand-new bass with the intentions of immediately modding it," with the emphasis on BRAND NEW & IMMEDIATELY which is the opposite of PRETTY DARNED CLOSE & SLOWLY. You simply misunderstood the question... no problem.

 

[gjohnson441496]

It's fun, simple as that. The DIY spirit is up, and then you can proudly have a bass that no one else has. It also helps you to get to know the instrument better. Because of this I can dial in my basses perfectly, every single time I set them up or mod them.

Thanks for the reply. I get it. It's just that I had one bass for 38 years and have only upgraded it once with the Aguilar OBP-3 preamp. The Jazz bass I recently bought sounds so good as is I have no intention of messing with it. I really wasn't expecting all this feedback I'm getting, although most of it, like yours, is really positive and has me at least looking into accessories other than amplifiers, cabinets and string replacement. I totally get the DIY spirit and the personalization.

On the other hand, I'm glad that I don't feel the need to mod because it seems, at least for some, it's a never ending quest. The obsession it seems would take away from actually playing the instrument.

Thanks again and keep having fun. I totally get that.

 

[Feral Feline]

No problem GJohnson441496, no need to re-read. I got the gist of the OP the first time.

I bought a brand-new bass with the FULL INTENTION of IMMEDIATELY modding it – pulling out frets, swapping the bridge, painting the neck... and then I had some other cash concerns pop up and the bass sits, unplayed, while I play another until I have the funds to modify it. That's the only reason why it went from immediately, to slowly. Believe me, had I the funds, it would've been very immediate and done by now instead of having the durn thing languish. This thread was good inspiration to get on the case again and alot some funds to achieve the end goal. Thanks for that!

There's no tongue in cheek icon... I should've included some of these: ; and should've mentioned I have another bass that is completely unmodded and will remain so (bought both the unmodded and mod-to-be at the same time).

Enjoy your new Jazz bass!

 

[gjohnson441496]

No problem GJohnson441496, no need to re-read. I got the gist of the OP the first time.

I bought a brand-new bass with the FULL INTENTION of IMMEDIATELY modding it – pulling out frets, swapping the bridge, painting the neck... and then I had some other cash concerns pop up and the bass sits, unplayed, while I play another until I have the funds to modify it. That's the only reason why it went from immediately, to slowly. Believe me, had I the funds, it would've been very immediate and done by now instead of having the durn thing languish. This thread was good inspiration to get on the case again and alot some funds to achieve the end goal. Thanks for that!

There's no tongue in cheek icon... I should've included some of these: ; and should've mentioned I have another bass that is completely unmodded and will remain so (bought both the unmodded and mod-to-be at the same time).

Enjoy your new Jazz bass!

Hey man, thanks for that! Please post pics of your bass when the project is complete and if possible sound clips. BTW, I totally get the DIY spirit

 

[gjohnson441496]

Well I wanted a 60's thunderbird to play out live and use as a workhorse. Am I goin to do that with an 8+ grand vintage bass? Hell no, I can't Even begin to think about affording that.

So I ordered a new one along with a grands worth of parts/mods and turned a new one into an old one, which drastically outplays how it was to begin with.

Classic

 

[SheaNC]

while I used to try to save the world, I don't anymore

Too bad. The world could use some saving.

 

[SheaNC]

I used to mod (I called it "frankensteining") old pawnshop acquisitions sometimes. My favorite was a Gibson Grabber, described by the salesman as "The 1975 Piece of poopie". It was perfect for my idea. I had a lot of various pickups laying around, DiMarzio, Danelectro, Ovation Magnum, Gibson. And the Grabber has this great big rectangular hole routed into the body. So, I made a different mounting plate for each pickup and created a "modular bass" where I could swap out the pickups on a whim. Crazy? Yes. Stupid? Maybe. But weirder things have been produced and sold in this world of crazy basses.

 

[gjohnson441496]

I used to mod (I called it "frankensteining") old pawnshop acquisitions sometimes. My favorite was a Gibson Grabber, described by the salesman as "The 1975 Piece of ****". It was perfect for my idea. I had a lot of various pickups laying around, DiMarzio, Danelectro, Ovation Magnum, Gibson. And the Grabber has this great big rectangular hole routed into the body. So, I made a different mounting plate for each pickup and created a "modular bass" where I could swap out the pickups on a whim. Crazy? Yes. Stupid? Maybe. But weirder things have been produced and sold in this world of crazy basses.

Creative thinking on your part. I sure would have liked to have heard it.

 

[iiipopes]

I used to mod (I called it "frankensteining") old pawnshop acquisitions sometimes. My favorite was a Gibson Grabber, described by the salesman as "The 1975 Piece of ****". It was perfect for my idea. I had a lot of various pickups laying around, DiMarzio, Danelectro, Ovation Magnum, Gibson. And the Grabber has this great big rectangular hole routed into the body. So, I made a different mounting plate for each pickup and created a "modular bass" where I could swap out the pickups on a whim. Crazy? Yes. Stupid? Maybe. But weirder things have been produced and sold in this world of crazy basses.

You are in good company. Dan Armstrong did the same thing and actually sold it - the plexiglass guitar and bass with swap-out pickup selection.

 

[bmc]

The only bass I bought with the intention of modding it was a MIJ fretless (no lines) Jazz bass from BassNW. It had EMG pickups which I don't like. As soon as the bass arrived, I put Custom shop 60's in it and it was great. It was too sterile with EMG pickups.

 

[gjohnson441496]

The only bass I bought with the intention of modding it was a MIJ fretless (no lines) Jazz bass from BassNW. It had EMG pickups which I don't like. As soon as the bass arrived, I put Custom shop 60's in it and it was great. It was too sterile with EMG pickups.

That's interesting.

The only bass I bought with the intention of modding it was a MIJ fretless (no lines) Jazz bass from BassNW. It had EMG pickups which I don't like. As soon as the bass arrived, I put Custom shop 60's in it and it was great. It was too sterile with EMG pickups.

That's interesting, because the original pups were probably Fender, a previous owner did an EMG mod, and you modded it back to it's original state.

 

[Nephilymbass]

What do you think about the Aguilar obp3?

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

 

[/\/\3phist0]

It appears from the replies that the players who make a living at playing bass tend to be far less into modding than the others. Wonder why that is.

Hmm i make part of my living Playing bass, part of it Repairing/modding basses and in the future Building basses as my "exit strategy" from the day job of I.T.
so i'm very motivated to practice my Modification skills at every opportunity, not to mention i like hot rodding the things, (i don't leave my computers alone either)
I build my linux installs from source code and compile my own kernels-- ok i'm obsessed....