Guitarist buddy has started hosting jams and I got him a Classic Vibe Precision to use as a house bass - sound great with any group of musicians, sturdy, reliable. I'm putting on La Bella flats, a thumbrest by the bridge, a pick holder, and may throw on tuners and/or a bridge from a Fender P that I upgraded. Anything I'm missing?
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"House" bass
- Thread starter alex1fly
- Start date
Strings and pick holder sure, other than that why fix what ain't broken? Especially for an open jam? I know flats are a popular choice, but rounds are more versatile and for a jam with a variety of players might be a better choice. Too bright? Turn the tone down 
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Some decent nickel roundwounds would be my choice. Labella Flats?
Very nice of you. About 5 years ago, I donated a 'house bass' to a local bar that has open mics and jams. It has D'Addario Chromes (same ones for 5+ years) and a nice leather strap. Not sure how they tune it but it gets played every week, any other accessories would be lost by now I'm sure.
I'd say keep it simple and let them play.
I'd say keep it simple and let them play.
Especially for a 'house bass' that's likely to be thrown around at a gig, I'd address the one cost-cutting move any and all cheap(er) are saddled with, and this is CHEAP insurance:
Every builder for their least expensive axes will spend the money on looks, and short change the bits under the hood. I always liked to 'storm proof' any of my gig basses, so I'd install top-shelf pots, jack, wiring and double check the shielding. A couple Bourns, CTS, etc. pots, a solid jack, and shielding is a cheap upgrade that can really pay off in the long run. Keys and bridge are really not much better or worse than most average Precision hardware.
Every builder for their least expensive axes will spend the money on looks, and short change the bits under the hood. I always liked to 'storm proof' any of my gig basses, so I'd install top-shelf pots, jack, wiring and double check the shielding. A couple Bourns, CTS, etc. pots, a solid jack, and shielding is a cheap upgrade that can really pay off in the long run. Keys and bridge are really not much better or worse than most average Precision hardware.
I would go with chromes as well. They really are the perfect jack of all trades strings.
I wouldn’t bother with the pick holder or thumb rest, let alone any of the other upgrades. The CVs are more than serviceable with the appointments they have from the factory, and you’re never going to make everyone happy no matter what you add/upgrade.
I say slap the flats on there (so you never need to change the strings again), give it a good set up, and call it done.
I say slap the flats on there (so you never need to change the strings again), give it a good set up, and call it done.
Tuners and bridge are good enough on this bass, no need for a replacement IMO.
Tuners have to hold the tuning and bridge has to hold the strings and they do.
Tuners have to hold the tuning and bridge has to hold the strings and they do.
Cupholder and a sticker on front that says "I'm with Stupid -->"
In all seriousness, very kind of you to put this much care into it. I'm sure it'll play and sound great
Make sure the pickguard is tort or the bass will sound terribly wrong.
The only mod I’d even think to waste money & time on the CV-P that’s going to be used by Lob Knows Who is swap for a bridge with speed slots instead of plain holes at the tail.
Maybe clean & mount some EB Cobalts on there if you really need the feel of flats.
Somebody will figure out how to break a string when you’re not around. Murphy guarantees it. The pick holder will get broken. The thumbrest will disappear. Buy spare budget tuners, keep them at home, always bring one and an appropriate screwdriver when you come by to jam, they will get broken.
Maybe clean & mount some EB Cobalts on there if you really need the feel of flats.
Somebody will figure out how to break a string when you’re not around. Murphy guarantees it. The pick holder will get broken. The thumbrest will disappear. Buy spare budget tuners, keep them at home, always bring one and an appropriate screwdriver when you come by to jam, they will get broken.
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Traditional sounding flats would be a good choice if there is a specific repertoire that calls for them (which could be the case in some live music spots).
Otherwise, is the flatwound thing due to the idea of not having to replace them for a long time, or for hygienic reasons?
Either way, I would third the D'Addario Chromes suggestion: either the lightest (ECB80, gauges 40-60-75-95) or the "custom-light" set (ECB84, 40-60-80-100).
[There are other products in the "bright flatwound" category, but they're harder to find (Gibson), only come in one gauge (S.I.T.), may not last under the 'wrong' hand chemistries (Rotosound, Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwound), or are as-yet untested long-term (Magma).]
Alternatively, Elixir roundwounds: eternal they aren't , but their peculiar coating process (they coat the entire string, not the outer wrapping wire prior to winding) keeps away crud from the nooks 'n' crannies, as long as the coating lasts.
Otherwise, is the flatwound thing due to the idea of not having to replace them for a long time, or for hygienic reasons?
Either way, I would third the D'Addario Chromes suggestion: either the lightest (ECB80, gauges 40-60-75-95) or the "custom-light" set (ECB84, 40-60-80-100).
[There are other products in the "bright flatwound" category, but they're harder to find (Gibson), only come in one gauge (S.I.T.), may not last under the 'wrong' hand chemistries (Rotosound, Ernie Ball Slinky Flatwound), or are as-yet untested long-term (Magma).]
Alternatively, Elixir roundwounds: eternal they aren't , but their peculiar coating process (they coat the entire string, not the outer wrapping wire prior to winding) keeps away crud from the nooks 'n' crannies, as long as the coating lasts.
Ha the pick holder and thumb rest are for ME to be happy when I visit for jams. Lol
Tuners and bridge, ehhh, I was kind of thinking it would just add some sentimental value. We'll see. Those are definitely optional.
The LB flats are for longevity of string and fret, the fact that they're my favorite string, and they'll keep the tone solidly "bass guitar" (since non-bassists will absolutely be playing this bass) but they can still get zing if they aren't afraid of EQ.
Would you link me to electronics to order? I always get lost with speccing these particular parts. Or is there somewhere to get them locally (I'm in a major metro)
Come to think of it, Flats would last longer get less germy but most bass players would not show up at a jam without their own bass anyway.
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That’s very nice of you! Buy I will echo other posts to lose the flats.
I'd have to agree, speaking as a primarily flatwound guy, for an all-rounder house bass I'd put some nickel rounds on there. Far more versatile. The tone knob and a foam mute will get you into retro thump just fine, but you can still clank away with a rw rock tone if needed.
EDIT: if not nickel rounds, then Chromes as others have suggested.
EDIT: if not nickel rounds, then Chromes as others have suggested.
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