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Do you Mod your Fenders? And why?

#81
Replaced the pickup un my MIJ PB70 not because it really needed this but because I wanted to try the EMG GZR (there's a little bit of hype in this but the GZR are better than the original pickups in effect).
Replaced the pickups in my MIJ MM jazz bass as those single coils produced too much hum ... now I'll change them again as I am planning to put in some EMG JVX with an EMG 4 knobs preamp for EMG active pickups ... that's my take
 
#87
I have modded all my almost all my Fenders except my '63 AVRI and my Pawn Shop Mustang.
I usually do minor cosmetic switches like pickguards or knobs but have also done quite a few Neck and pick up changes. I like my basses to "look and feel like mine".
 
#88
rufus.K said:
all basses are modable. why pick on fender?
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This is all so true. However Fender parts are readily available, at every level. That "is" a factor that cannot be said for other makes. (to the same degree).
That said, if I am not 100% pleased with the pick up, it gets replaced. Secondly, my chosen cosmetic changes if I'm motivated to. Goes without saying, a perfect set up and strings are in there too.
 
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#89
I have a '77 P-bass and the only modding I did was changing the pots (because they were e.o.l.) and remove the pickup- and bridge covers.
There is some damage on the laquer, but everybody tells me NOT to repair it because it would devaluate the bass.
pneck.jpg

So, I guess, that won't be done...
 
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#90
I have 3 basses. 2 of them are Squier P's but I still consider them because, well, you know. I also have a Fender Jaguar. Here are the mods:

P-Bass #1 (Killer):
Black Hennessey Strap locks
SPB-3's
500k/500k stacked pot with a .047uF Orange cap
Switchcraft output jack
Customized pickguard with two holes, one for the jack and one for the stacked pot (black/white/black)

P-Bass #2 (Dizzy):
This bass is in the process of being taken apart and rebuilt. But here are the parts that will all be coming together
Black Dunlop Strap locks
SPB-3's
500k/500k stacked pot with a .047uF Orange cap
Switchcraft output jack
Customized pickguard with two holes, one for the jack and one for the stacked pot (red/white/red)
A Fender P-Bass neck with a maple fretboard
A paint job that is changing it from black to red

Jaguar:
Outside of straplocks I have no mods yet. However I'm thinking about adding the Quarter Pounder P/J pickups in it. Right now I'm content with the stock Fender pups but I know down the line I will be considering them.
I've also looked into different pickguards, I got it in black/black to match my main bass, then I realized that I had no color in my bass stable lol (part of the reason I'm modding my other bas with a red paint job). I have thought about a purple one, a gold one, one with spiderwebs on it for Halloween shows, and a few others that would look good with the black body finish. Other than that there is little else I want to change about the Jag for now because it is perfect how it is.

I think P basses and Fender basses/guitars in general are easy to mod because they have been around the longest and so many people play them with so many different parts that the parts are readily available to purchase and install. Plus, it's pretty awesome to take a stock instrument and build it into something that is uniquely yours!
 
#91
Mustang PJ Sonic Blue - swapped pick up covers for white, will eventually swap for white knobs and switch tip. Purely aesthetic, white just looks better with the color of the bass and mint pickup cover.

Mustang PJ Torino Red - currently being defretted. I wanted a matching fretless.

Both - I'll eventually upgrade the pickups. The fact that these are standard P and J bridge sizes means I have a lot more choices than I did with my 'traditional' MIJ Mustang. Right now I'm leaning towards a DiMarzio model PJ set, but I'm still researching.
 
#94
JimmyM said:
Sure have. After seeing what ash bodied 76 Precisions go for nowadays, I wish I hadn't started the modding process in 1982 :D And I always said that as a result, I would leave stock any Fender I bought just so I don't kill future value. Actually sold a 79 Precision I bought because I couldn't deal with it without modding it and couldn't bring myself to do it. But my 95 P Lyte has EMG PJ's/BQC and my 09 AmStd P has Geezers and a bent plate bridge on it. Funny how amazingly crappy pickups can make you change your tune on modding. But I never do any mods to them that aren't 100% reversible.
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My stoopid wild azz guess is part of the reason 70s Fenders command a good price is my memory that everybody I knew modified their Fender back then. Because of that (still guessing, no metrics) pristine 70s Fenders are probably far fewer in the wild than the total basses sold. Pickups were first to be replaced, and I recall that was extremely common. There were bragging rights on new pups. After that, high mass bridges, and then brass nuts.
 
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#95
Fletz said:
hey all - I've modded my P-bass quite a bit to make it "mine." Have you modded your fender? And is it true that Fenders are more "moddable?"
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I put active EMG's in my Jazz bass. Other than what is absolutely necessary I don't believe in making a bunch of silly changes. If you can't hear it in the mix, why do it? Make what you got work--don't go chasing somebody else's tone.

Except for stickers on my standup. Always looking for cool, free stickers for that.
 
#96
My mid eighties MIJ P bass has a Duncan, Tusq nut, and a Hipshot bridge. My 2001 MIM P has a Duncan, Tusq nut, and a Hipshot bridge. My CIJ 51 RI P has a Duncan. My 2015 MIA Deluxe Jazz has Duncans and an Audere preamp. My 2008 MIA Deluxe Jazz has a John East Retro J Deluxe preamp. My 2015 MIA Standard Jazz has Aguilar 60's and an Audere preamp. My MIM 2000 Strat HSS has Duncans, Tusq nut, and Graphtech saddles. So yeah, I mod my fenders.
 
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#97
All my Fender basses are modded in some way , but that's the beauty of Fender basses. Once you get one , you play it for awhile and then you can tweak it to make it just the way you want it. There are so many aftermarket parts available that you can do most anything to a Fender. I think this is a huge selling point. I don't know if Leo ever imagined that the future of his guitars would include all of these aftermarket parts for his guitars. Just think of all of the businesses that have been created as a result of Leo Fender's one idea. I think that's beautiful.
 
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#99
I modded a squier p-bass special with some new pups, cuz the stock ones were a bit weak / unfocused. If I ever buy a "real" fender bass, I'm thinking I won't mod it, cuz I've spent more for a "real" fender and it should be good as-is...
 
#100
Fletz said:
is it true that Fenders are more "moddable?"
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Only in the sense that there are so many replacement parts available...go check out parts for Ricks and Gibsons and you'll see very little. The bolt on neck design also helps...J and P necks can be swapped easily.

Three of the four I bought used were already modded when I got them. I didn't mod them any further nor have I touched the three I bought new. What's the point? If I don't like a bass as is, I don't buy it.
 

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