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What do you find lacking that compels you to upgrade?
I've never understood upgrading for the mere sake of spending money.
I've never understood upgrading for the mere sake of spending money.
Seems like a fine instrument to me. Don't upgrade for the sake of it. That being said, the easiest upgrade type thing would probably be trying to get it up to snuff with the B5 and A5 models by dropping some Bartolinis and Hipshot Ultralites onto that thing
Already has Bartolini MK-1 pickups and Markbass preamp. I can't figure out what anyone would "upgrade".
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I'm not seeing anything there that needs upgrading unless the OP can name some specific shortcomings.
If you want to shave a few oz I think Gotoh makes some ridiculously light tuners that would be drop in. But really that's just a luxury.
I read here all the time where people will buy an "inexpensive " bass (not that this one necessarily is) and without getting to know it go out and put a bunch of money in arguably unnecessary mods, making it no longer an inexpensive bass. Makes no sense whatsoever.
If you wanted an A5 you should have bought one to begin with. I happen to own an A5, probably one of the best basses I've played including some high $$$ exotics. Only significant difference in mine and the OP's is the A5 is neck through and has Hipshot hardware. And a Bart preamp rather than the MB but mines 10 years old too. Not enough difference IMO to be worth dumping unnecessary money into it but hey, it's your money not mine...
If you wanted an A5 you should have bought one to begin with. I happen to own an A5, probably one of the best basses I've played including some high $$$ exotics. Only significant difference in mine and the OP's is the A5 is neck through and has Hipshot hardware. And a Bart preamp rather than the MB but mines 10 years old too. Not enough difference IMO to be worth dumping unnecessary money into it but hey, it's your money not mine...
As much as I think the bass in question is probably fine as-is, if the OP has a particular tone in mind that the bass isn't producing, the MK pickup shape is nearly the same as the P2 so there is an enormous range of pickups that could be added. Nordstrand alone probably has a half dozen amazing options.
I would keep in mind though that not only is the MK1 pups + Markbass pre setup quite good (it solves the MK1 system's original problem of a middling preamp) upgrading from it would be quite expensive.
A preamp, pair of Nordstrand pickups and a set of Hipshot or Gotoh ultralight tuners would be nearly (or perhaps more depending on options) as costly as the entire bass!
I would keep in mind though that not only is the MK1 pups + Markbass pre setup quite good (it solves the MK1 system's original problem of a middling preamp) upgrading from it would be quite expensive.
A preamp, pair of Nordstrand pickups and a set of Hipshot or Gotoh ultralight tuners would be nearly (or perhaps more depending on options) as costly as the entire bass!
I just began learning tbh i was handed down this bass and um i think what i shouldve said is how do I get it to sound like the one on youtube where in it has like a raspy sound to it. Like do i have to upgrade or just tinker with some part of it.
Welcome to the world of bass.
You were gifted a very fine instrument, which is a great beginning.
Taking the time to learn how the EQ works will enlighten you on how to get different tones, but sometimes a specific sound is obtained by adding effect pedals. Feel free to add a link to a specific YouTube video you like and I'm certain that the TB community will clue you in how to obtain that sound.
You were gifted a very fine instrument, which is a great beginning.
Taking the time to learn how the EQ works will enlighten you on how to get different tones, but sometimes a specific sound is obtained by adding effect pedals. Feel free to add a link to a specific YouTube video you like and I'm certain that the TB community will clue you in how to obtain that sound.
I was thinking the same - especially when I watched a youtube video comparing side by side a Cort Curbow with stock MK-1 pickups and the same bass with US made MK-5CBC - the difference is huge...Too bad a pair of MK-5s is exactly half the price of the whole bass (C5 Plus I mean...). But as long as they make the bass sound less "tinny" and kind of "hollow" (open E and B string seem to produce way too much resonance if I can describe it properly), I'll go for it - the bass is way too comfortable and beautiful, and is worth the upgrade...
