Hot-Rodded Cheapo (GSR205 content...)

[Oig]

Update: I used Gt6s’s (thanks man!) metal polish trick with a little tape to get to this...

Nice n’ simple. I also steel-wooled the model and serial number off the back.

 

[Oig]

Gratuitous bass shot:

 

[Gt6s]

Nice job

 

[Oig]

Nice job

Thanks man!

 

[Gt6s]

Got a Sung High mass bridge in the post today, different to yours but still pretty Slinkey. will get it fitted with the Gotoh tuners tonight.

 

[Oig]

Got a Sung High mass bridge in the post today, different to yours but still pretty Slinkey. will get it fitted with the Gotoh tuners tonight.

Post pics when you’re done

 

[Gt6s]

No more Gio any more.

New Gotoh tuners are a huge step up over the Gio ones. I will admit. They did work they did stay in tune JUST JUNK. The new Sung bridge is string through body (STUPID !! if all else fails read the instructions) Ferrules ordered but the ferrules have not arrived yet.

I was a touch concerned the new bridge may have made the action too high (again) old bridge was screwed right down to the limits (MORE JUNK). Need not have worried, low action with the new bridge with lots of adjustment left

 

[Oig]

View attachment 3544388 View attachment 3544386 View attachment 3544379 View attachment 3544379 No more Gio any more.

New Gotoh tuners are a huge step up over the Gio ones. I will admit. They did work they did stay in tune JUST JUNK. The new Sung bridge is string through body (STUPID !! if all else fails read the instructions) Ferrules ordered but the ferrules have not arrived yet.

I was a touch concerned the new bridge may have made the action too high (again) old bridge was screwed right down to the limits (MORE JUNK). Need not have worried, low action with the new bridge with lots of adjustment left

Looks good man. I was surprised by how much of an improvement my tuners were too. Literally no comparison.

 

[Gt6s]

Thanks. Pics show the balance pot bit out of placement with the others. Had to do that to clear the extra pot in the cavity

 

[Oig]

Thanks. Pics show the balance pot bit out of placement with the others. Had to do that to clear the extra pot in the cavity

You could try a different knob on that pot to make it seem more purposeful. But it’s no big deal. It looks like you’ve managed well without the ferrules for the bridge. My bridge has options for top load or string through, maybe yours does too?

 

[Gt6s]

As you see strings do mount in bridge but makes string at neck a little bit too long (B feeding on post), really needs strung through body. Just another mod to do.

 

[Oig]

In keeping with the ultra-Scrooge theme of this mod, I went rummaging through my closet for a better gig bag and found this old 335-style. It’s actually a pretty good fit - there’s a bit of space in the lower bouts, but everything else is snug. It’s a much better bag than the old one.

I hacked up an old memory foam pillow, wrapped it an old black t-shirt, and voila: we have a passable neck cradle.

The new pot for the preamp should be here Monday. The old pot still does an ok job and I’ve been playing in the meantime - this preamp is really good for the money. Sound wise it’s not a million miles away from the Darkglass loaded Carvin LB76 I had. Good stuff!

So all in, we’re still cruising at under $100 on this one. Of course, now I’m wondering if I should put in EMGs or Barts....

 

[Oig]

More gratuitousness:

 

[wraub]

Nicely done. That is a definite aesthetic upgrade, and likely a sonic one, too. Congrats.

And, another vote here for Gotoh tuners.
I have an older Squier Strat that is really good, but would never stay tuned, under any circumstances. Swapped the tuners with some Gotoh units and now, the guitar always stays in tune, sometimes with days or weeks between plays. Not expensive, either.
They're good with me.

 

[Beej]

More gratuitousness:

View attachment 3544456

LOL! Okay man, that's it...you need another project! How can I help? Have you done any aesthetic modifications to your amp? What about a six string? Any local cheap basses on your craigslist to modify?

 

[Oig]

LOL! Okay man, that's it...you need another project! How can I help? Have you done any aesthetic modifications to your amp? What about a six string? Any local cheap basses on your craigslist to modify?

Hahahahaha!! Am I that transparent?! Wait, don’t answer that.

 

[Beej]

Hahahahaha!! Am I that transparent?! Wait, don’t answer that.

It's not that you're so transparent, it's just that we all share the addiction, and recognize the symptoms....

 

[Oig]

Out in the wild:

It’s the first time I’ve heard it through anything other than PodFarm and headphones, and I’ve gotta say I’m pretty blown away. It’s a modern tone - crisp, articulate and at the same time, massive. Lots of tone shaping options too. Sounds way better than it has any right to actually - any untoward sounds were strictly user error. I’m glad I went this route rather than replacing the pickups!

It’ll be a long time before I reach this thing’s limits as a player, which is mind boggling given the outlay. Did I mention I’m blown away?

 

[TrustRod]

Sounds way better than it has any right to actually - any untoward sounds were strictly user error.

Great tone is available for less than $200. Now that you know the tone is you you can get great tone in cheap or expensive basses.

Great mod job!

 

[Oig]

Figured i'd post an update now that the honeymoon is over. I'm using this thing for almost everything. It plays great and sounds good too. My P mostly sits in its case unless i need a more vintage sound. Am contemplating dropping a pair of Barts in, but it sounds awesome as is so I'm not in a rush