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Bass upgrades

#3
Depends on what your instrument is and what it is you want to do to the sound.

What is your bass?

What is it you want to improve about your bass?

Tone? (If so, in what way?)
Playability?
Ergonomics?
Longevity?

I'll go on record as saying that my "everyone needs this" bass upgrade idea is Dunlop Straploks. Cheap for peace of mind. My bass has never taken a dive and hit the ground while I was playing, and it never will.
 
#6
I've got a squier p bass, i'm looking for better sound/tone, like i said before, I've got new pickups (Duncan QP's), I have straploks, someone told me upgrading my pots will "brighten" up the sound of my bass, I'm not sure about that.. and what will upgrading my bridge do? I'll consider it depending on what it does.. I've gotten new strings (EB Hybrid's)

So what can i upgrade here?
 
#7
Bass_masta16 said:
I've got a squier p bass, i'm looking for better sound/tone, like i said before, I've got new pickups (Duncan QP's), I have straploks, someone told me upgrading my pots will "brighten" up the sound of my bass, I'm not sure about that.. and what will upgrading my bridge do? I'll consider it depending on what it does.. I've gotten new strings (EB Hybrid's)

So what can i upgrade here?
Click to expand...

You can add an Audere preamp, no routing required. Many folks sing it's praises. I haven't heard one yet, but I have upgraded my MIJ P-bass with QP's, and I think the Audere is next.
Edit: It appears that's for J basses only. There's a different company I'm thinking of then, I'll see if I can find it.

The other recommendation, which would require some routing, is adding a J-pickup near the bridge.
 
#9
Bass_masta16 said:
I am upgrading my bass, and i was just wondering what all you can do to upgrade. I plan on upgrading the pots, and have already upgraded the pickups. What else is there i can upgrade to make the tone sound better?
Click to expand...

the pickups would have made the most difference. you need to tell us what tone you like, and what part of that tone you are not getting from your rig. maybe we can help. johnny a
 
#10
How much will a pre-amp cost thought, like a decent one, doesnt have to be spectacular..
Also, if i had a J pickup installed, would it increase the sound quality greatly?.. and im afraid of it looking sloppy, not like i would do it myself, but i dont want it to look bad

And can anyone answer my question about the bridge thing? what will it do?
 
#12
Bass_masta16 said:
How much will a pre-amp cost thought, like a decent one, doesnt have to be spectacular..
Also, if i had a J pickup installed, would it increase the sound quality greatly?.. and im afraid of it looking sloppy, not like i would do it myself, but i dont want it to look bad

And can anyone answer my question my question about the bridge thing? what will it do?
Click to expand...

Preamps, $200-$300 for something good. The adding another pickup would give you another jump up in sound, and tonal options if you install it with a blend knob. A P/J configuration is a standard look, so it shouldn't look sloppy if professionally done.

Changes in bridges can be more subtle. I've played the same model with differnt bridges, it's not as noticable. If your action is staying in place, I woudn't think it'd be the next thing to change. Honestly, I think some of what people notice in bridge changes is in their head! Not all, but some.
 
#14
Bass_masta16 said:
Ok, so I'm considering the J pickup now.. and the bridge i might buy a bridge a bit down the road

And without anyone laughing.. What is a blend knob? lol
Click to expand...

It's like a fader, or balance know between two pickups, or in this case, between the 2 P-pups and the J-pup. This way you can use just the P's or just the J's, or some mix of them. J-basses have them to blend the two J-pups.
 
#16
Bass_masta16 said:
Ok, thanks.. How much would you assume that having a J pickup installed into my bass cost?
Click to expand...

Hard to predict. It's based on the going rate in your area, and the demand for the particular shop you go to. Start making phone calls and get estimates, but also check with other musicians in the area for recommendations. You want someone with a good reputation, not just the lowest price!
 

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