Bass mods, when does it cross the line?

[RaniBrandt]

Okay, I think I got it.

So, this is okay:

And so's this:

Maybe a little much, but still okay:

Link Removed

A rare lefty Rickenbacker?! I guess we'll have to look the other way for Sir Paul:

And this is obviously an abomination performed by the devil himself:

 

[beggar98]

I voted for "if it's your bass do what you want".

Like anything even remotely related to freedom of speech/expression: anyone has the right to mod their bass however they see fit, and I have the right to think they're an idiot if they rout a '59 Precision so they can add a MM pickup.

 

[xUptheIronsx]

For someone else: Do what you want, it's yours.
For me: Anything non reversible it usually too far.

this pretty much sums it up for me too...

plus the vintage thing. I would not mod anything that was vintage...cause, well, it makes it not vintage anymore. I would "update" vintage to keep it working...like new wiring or cleaning/changing pots etc. But in my mind, a 69 P bass is not supposed to have J pups, 7 strings and fanned frets, a Bad Ass II Bridge, (or worse yet, a whammy bar) flamed burl maple top, and stereo outputs...

NOT that I am saying I don't like these mods on other basses - well except for the fanned frets thing, BUT, just not on that bass.

 

[DBCrocky]

I don't think you should mod Rickenbacker basses.

I think you should get Ric5 to do it for you.

 

[xUptheIronsx]

Okay, I think I got it.

So, this is okay:

And so's this:

Maybe a little much, but still okay:

Link Removed

these mods are bad ass. Mojo mods are totally acceptable to me....PUNK ROCK!

A rare lefty Rickenbacker?! I guess we'll have to look the other way for Sir Paul:

And this is obviously an abomination performed by the devil himself:

and that is an abomination! Waht WAS that?

 

[WokenDeer]

Lol tear drop t40 eh?

 

[phillybass101]

Most useful mod ever!!

I think he's onto something here. Best bass mod I've seen in some time. You could even do this to a vintage joint It might add to the re-sale value. I like this.

 

[2meterbassman]

I think, everybody has to modify his own gear as long it's helpful for his sound or makes his eyes glance.

And: we should mount ashtrays on our rare original 1959 Gibson Les Pauls - to end this aweful vintage blablabla of dealers for earning money with old guitars...;-)

 

[Lawkeeper]

I think he's onto something here. Best bass mod I've seen in some time. You could even do this to a vintage joint It might add to the re-sale value. I like this.

But how does it fit in a case?

 

[Eilif]

I freely admit that irreversible mods to vintage bases make me sad inside, and I do think that it's a real idiot move, but I still voted for the "it's yours" option.

You bought it. If you want to burn it onstage or smash it into a million pieces, then that's your prerogative.

For my part, I'd stay away from non-reversibly modding any vintage instrument of value. It's so easy to get repros and custom jobs that there's really no reason to mess with history. That said, the only instruments I have that is truely a old and rare (not counting my original 79 t-40) is a Crown Viola bass that isn't worth much anyway, so take my opinion with a grain.

 

[RaniBrandt]

Everybody else who owns a 4001V63 should irreversibly mod or smash it. That way my dinged-up-but-all-original one will be worth millions!

 

[Phalex]

But how does it fit in a case?

I use a gig bag. Now that you mention it, it has kind of worn a hole right there.......

 

[VintageMan222]

I've done mods to most of my basses...but not my Ampeg AEB-1 of course!

 

[Syco_bass]

Mod what you want, but, vintage, high valued, original peices shouldn't be modded in my opinion. But then again, opinions are like A** holes. We all have one. LOL.

Cheers.

 

[Ric5]

 

[Rip Topaz]

Mod what you want, but, vintage, high valued, original peices shouldn't be modded in my opinion. But then again, opinions are like A** holes. We all have one. LOL.

Cheers.

This. If its replaceable, go for it.

If its something that has value as is, leave it.

Example: I modded the heck out of my Xaviere P-bass. I paid $169, and could easily get another just like it ( before mods).

Before:

First mod:

As it is now:

My backup to my main bass is a Dillion 54 P copy. Yup, I modded it. Covers, ashtray, and tolexed the pickguard.

Before:

After:

My main player is a 2011 60th Anniversary P. I won't change a thing, just on the off chance that this model becomes desirable in the future (I'll never sell it, but even so).

Sorry to be so long-winded. This thread needed a few pix anyway.