How much do you mod your basses

[bobalu]

I rarely modify my basses - occasionally changing a pick guard simply for aesthetic preference. I personally would not buy a bass that required a lot of mods to meet my needs - I would just search for one I like in the first place. That's just me though.

 

[grimjim]

Usually just a hipshot extender on the E. My '79 came with a badass 2 and bad pickups so I added a set of Dimarzios. Of course, I specified all the hardware on a fretless build, but that's not really modding.

 

[mrm56]

all of my basses are assembled by me from the ground up.
it usually starts with a pickup idea and builds out from there.

 

[MegaSwing]

I mod my basses to lighten them, balance them, allow for better string spacing, improve the function of the stock hardware, gain a throatier signal, and/or bestow a more distinctive look. I owe nothing to the original designs, as I collect exactly zero residuals from them and have no vested interest in seeing that they live on in any particular tradition—though generally I am a traditionalist.

 

[Ric5]

you guys know that I am Dr Frankenstein and all of my basses are my monsters

 

[NikosP75]

SR 800 from 1992 was bought a little over a year ago. Upgraded pickups, added strap locks, and blackened the fretboard. The Ibanez RoadstarII in my avatar was bought 2 days ago and tomorrow it is getting a new Gotoh bridge, strap locks, and new strings.

 

[Moving Pictures]

I mod as little as possible. These two basses are my most modded basses. I replaced the tuners with HipShot HB7s and the associated Xtenders. I also installed HipShot Vintage bridges.

My other basses are stock

All basses get Dunlop Dual Design strap locks and if it has a white pickguard it gets replaced. The mint guard above will likely get replaced with a tort guard.

I have swapped pickups in the past but only when the original set failed. I once replaced a neck after the original failed (warped). I consider that more of a repair/replacement than a mod.

I will say though, some of you have a genuine talent for modding basses and I really admire that.

 

[COYS]

I play guitars and basses off the rack. There's no functional need i have that isn't met by something on the market

 

[prom311]

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A graphite fan fretted neck was installed using a new Fender F plate.

Hmmm..where'd you get that fanned fret neck?

 

[lokikallas]

Most of my basses are modded with hip shot upgrades, and I will often use an obp to upgrade from stock active pre amps. I’ve put a few geezers and dimarzios in my passive PJs, a few tusq nut upgrades, and a few pick guard changes. Only 3 of my 11 basses are stil stock.

 

[pigpen ridding]

i custom make most of my basses which get heavy artwork but the few brought basses i have from the 60s and 70s i would not mod but might consider repainting depending on the bass

 

[ryco]

Usually don't.
Out of 6 basses, have only modded one = modded a used '75 P to a JPJ in '80.
The rest [see profile] left stock.

There's also a Jerry Jones Neptune 6 Baritone sitting off camera I never play and have no idea what to do with. A gift from my brother a bunch of years ago. peace

 

[superheavyfunk]

Does every bass in your stable get modded and how much.

Some do and some don’t. If I feel that I want to get a particular “something” out of an instrument, then I’ll do whatever I deem necessary in order to get there.

This could include minor things like adding strap locks or major surgeries like routing out large sections of the body for electronics or to lessen a particular bass’ body weight.

Whatever’s clever, man. I bought the thing with my own money after all.

 

[bmusic]

I was going to say not much at all, I suppose since I’m relatively new to the tinkering game. (It was my little lockdown exploration.)

But now that I think about it, a lot has been tinkered with. The Ricken backer 4003S got a treble pickup bezel, “vintage” knobs and a toaster in the neck position. The 76 Mustang got a new pick guard. And I kind of went to town on the 73 Precision, feeling comfortable to do so since it was already pretty messed with quite a bit. I replaced the pots, knobs, pickguard and pickups. Roadworn Jazz got a new refin (not by my hand). But the Ray, the 75th Anny Commemorative P, the AVRI P, the RA Deep 4 and the Lakland HB-30 remain stock, and will forever do so, I suppose.

So no, it’s not a regular thing I do. More like a phase I’ve just emerged from.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Does every bass in your stable get modded and how much.

All of mine that are single coils get a stacked hum cancelling AlNiCo pickup.

My main player (whichever bass I am currently in love with) gets lots of tweaks. My current main squeeze is a black 92 JB+, I am switching all the hardware to black and have added a DiMarzio Area in the bridge and a Norstrand Split 51 in the neck. I have also had the bass refretted and Plekked by the local Gurus.

With the exception of a MIM JB of which I swapped out the the pickups, every other bass has been stock right out of the case.

 

[Iristone]

On most basses I install treble bleed caps right away.
On my SG I modded a Varitone circuit into it, but soon removed since it made the bass much quieter.
On my Thunderbird I replaced the stock soapbar pickups with EY Chinabuckers. On both my Gibbies I tried a Hipshot bridge but eventually went back stock.
On my Rick I didn't install treble bleed, but I inserted a trebel bezel. Considering replacing the neck pickup to a Toaster-style.

 

[Iristone]

On most basses I install treble bleed caps right away.
On my SG I modded a Varitone circuit into it, but soon removed since it made the bass much quieter.
On my Thunderbird I replaced the stock soapbar pickups with EY Chinabuckers. On both my Gibbies I tried a Hipshot bridge but eventually went back stock.
On my Rick I didn't install treble bleed, but I inserted a trebel bezel. Considering replacing the neck pickup to a Toaster-style.

 

[Lava]

Right off the bat each bass of mine gets Strap Loks, HipShot D Tuner, Elixir Strings.
If it’s not a US bass, I sometimes change the PUs out and the pots if they’re cheapos.

 

[Fynn]

Does every bass in your stable get modded and how much.

All of mine that are single coils get a stacked hum cancelling AlNiCo pickup.

My main player (whichever bass I am currently in love with) gets lots of tweaks. My current main squeeze is a black 92 JB+, I am switching all the hardware to black and have added a DiMarzio Area in the bridge and a Norstrand Split 51 in the neck. I have also had the bass refretted and Plekked by the local Gurus.

Joe Bonamassa once said that he'd be very reluctant to modify any of his guitars if he initially liked them. Even if it's not your dream guitar / bass, if you enjoy playing it and there's no genuine need for any sort of modification, then don't touch it. It's usually not worth it

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

A couple of years back, I bought a '79 P-Bass which was in horrid condition.

I HAD TO replace the bridge (that hurt because Fender doesn't offer a specific P-Bass bridge. They're all labeled "Jazz Bass") because two of the set screws which raise and lower the saddles were rusted in place.

I put the "ashtray cover" back on it and bought a thumb rest.

Other than some thumb rests (on some basses) and new tuners, I don't think I've ever modified a bass.

I tend to buy basses that sound really good (to my ear), even if I think they look horrible (I've given up on getting a classic black bass with a white pickguard which I think sounds great).