Let's See Your Hot-Rodded Cheapo Basses!

[mongo2]

Here's my modded Bronco:
View attachment 3881118

Nice one.

I have a similar bass using a Bronco body, Squier Jag SS neck with Gotoh GB350 tuners, Musicmaster 4 saddle bridge, an under $15 dual blade humbucking Strat pickup from Amazon that sounds great, and a Mustang controlplate to fit the modified bronco pickguard. I don't have a picture of it.

 

[Riff Ranger]

Thank you for reviving this thread. I know that we’ve had a lot of people working on instruments during recent shutdowns of everything, so hopefully at least a few of those will turn up in here soon (right, @Volker Kirstein? ).

I have a few in here already, and at least one more on the way, but for now please enjoy some delicious irony: I just took the instrument that started this thread a step closer to stock.

When I first acquired this one a bit over two years ago I didn’t realize just how good an instrument could be gotten for bottom dollar, new or used, as I hadn’t played a ton or bought anything since 2008. I presumed the stock pickup would be nothing special and thought I wanted something more humbucker-ish than precision-ish (yes, precision pickups cancel hum but you know what I mean) so I had that Lace Alumitone waiting for the bass when it got here. I still think the Aluma-P is a good pickup but it took a dark bass and made it darker, and I have come to realize that I prefer a hot-rodded precision sound after all. The folks at the Matsumoku factory clearly knew what they were doing when they went with a DiMarzio clone for this one. I got it back in there today and now this thing finally sounds appropriately pointy

I have actual DiMarzios waiting to go in my Squier short scale Jaguar; that seems like my best candidate for hot-rodding now.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

... so hopefully at least a few of those will turn up in here soon (right, @Volker Kirstein? ).
...

I'm waiting on a polishing wheel, and I'm lazy.

Also, some of these projects are being "detailed" in their respective NBD threads.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Thank you for reviving this thread. I know that we’ve had a lot of people working on instruments during recent shutdowns of everything, so hopefully at least a few of those will turn up in here soon (right, @Volker Kirstein? ).

I have a few in here already, and at least one more on the way, but for now please enjoy some delicious irony: I just took the instrument that started this thread a step closer to stock.

View attachment 3881625

When I first acquired this one a bit over two years ago I didn’t realize just how good an instrument could be gotten for bottom dollar, new or used, as I hadn’t played a ton or bought anything since 2008. I presumed the stock pickup would be nothing special and thought I wanted something more humbucker-ish than precision-ish (yes, precision pickups cancel hum but you know what I mean) so I had that Lace Alumitone waiting for the bass when it got here. I still think the Aluma-P is a good pickup but it took a dark bass and made it darker, and I have come to realize that I prefer a hot-rodded precision sound after all. The folks at the Matsumoku factory clearly knew what they were doing when they went with a DiMarzio clone for this one. I got it back in there today and now this thing finally sounds appropriately pointy

I have actual DiMarzios waiting to go in my Squier short scale Jaguar; that seems like my best candidate for hot-rodding now.

Awesome!!

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Here’s my finished burned cheapo.
No stain or color was used. I just burned It wiped it down with a towel and 3 coats of oil based poly.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Here’s my finished burned cheapo.
No stain or color was used. I just burned It wiped it down with a towel and 3 coats of oil based poly. View attachment 3882045View attachment 3882046View attachment 3882047View attachment 3882048

 

[EatS1stBassist]

In the middle of a jazz bass project.

 

[KaraQ]

Some pics of my Ibanez GSR200B. EMG GZR P/J full set (including pots), wired so that the factory active circuit still works, Q-Parts dome knobs w/purple abalone tops, and Fender "58" tapewound strings

 

[4 Out of 5]

View attachment 3788835


OLP MM3, bought new for $115 delivered. Probably thrown around $800 at it by now. Original pickup cuz it sounds killer. Original parts remaining, neck wood with truss rod, MM pickup.

More pics here My OLP, and what it has become.

Love the pickup configuration, love the colour. Your bass is now the wallpaper image on my phone!

 

[Volker Kirstein]

This is Blue Belle, a Invalid Link Removed I got NIB for €98.30. She weighs 2.4 kg/5.4 lbs, and sounds almost, but not quite, like a P.

I replaced the wobbly factory tuners with Wilkinson open gears, and restrung with Hofner Short Scale Roundwounds. The screw alignment wonkiness is from the factory. I am/was not prepared to fill/drill a hole on the headstock. This wonkiness is not noticeable to the vast majority of audience members, so no real huhu. But, it is something to do "some day."

I emailed Gear4music, and asked about the sticker, whether it's a part number or a serial number. They insist it's a serial number, but I still strongly suspect otherwise. Until I have satisfactory information, it'll stay on.

I also replaced the chrome knobs with blue top hat style knobs that go to 11.

Instant color match!

When I first ordered the blue knobs, they didn't arrive by the delivery date promised. I contacted the seller about a week past the delivery date, and they sent a new shipment. A few weeks later, it arrives.

End of story, or so I thought.

A few days ago, another shipment of blue knobs that go to 11 hath arriven!

So, now I have blue knobs that go to 11 coming out my wazoo. If anyone wants some, at cost plus postage, lemme know.

 

[Bodeeni]

Great color and body by Masterbass, I always dug his choice of the small creme knobs. basic Allparts P neck neck which has been great, Delano Humbuckers which have also been very good. #1 Fretless

Bought the loaded ESP body 35 years ago for $50, recycle a set of very hot early Dimarzios and black hardware. Splurged on a the neck and a plek job. This is probably my number #1.

Just switched it up with tort guards and a new neck on the sonic blue jazz, which is 100% budget parts. Will use these two basses for my post Covid live quiver

 

[Riff Ranger]

This is Blue Belle, a Invalid Link Removed I got NIB for €98.30. She weighs 2.4 kg/5.4 lbs, and sounds almost, but not quite, like a P.
View attachment 3884135

I replaced the wobbly factory tuners with Wilkinson open gears, and restrung with Hofner Short Scale Roundwounds. The screw alignment wonkiness is from the factory. I am/was not prepared to fill/drill a hole on the headstock. This wonkiness is not noticeable to the vast majority of audience members, so no real huhu. But, it is something to do "some day."
View attachment 3884136
I emailed Gear4music, and asked about the sticker, whether it's a part number or a serial number. They insist it's a serial number, but I still strongly suspect otherwise. Until I have satisfactory information, it'll stay on.

I also replaced the chrome knobs with blue top hat style knobs that go to 11.
View attachment 3884138

Instant color match!
View attachment 3884141

When I first ordered the blue knobs, they didn't arrive by the delivery date promised. I contacted the seller about a week past the delivery date, and they sent a new shipment. A few weeks later, it arrives.

End of story, or so I thought.

A few days ago, another shipment of blue knobs that go to 11 hath arriven!
View attachment 3884143

So, now I have blue knobs that go to 11 coming out my wazoo. If anyone wants some, at cost plus postage, lemme know.

The knobs! Well played

 

[Volker Kirstein]

This is Princess Luna, a J&D Mini Jazz in Surf Green, that I picked up from the want ads for €75, including shipping. I'd been wanting one of these for a while. When I finally was in a position to afford one, around Chrstmas 2019, MusicStore was sold out. I figured that many were sold as gifts, and knew it was just a matter of time before one showed up in the want ads. Lo and behold, in mid-February, one did.

I toyed with the "Jaco look", but ended up putting the pickguard back on. I may or may not decide to go "Jaco," mainly because of how the guard lines up with the control plate. For now, it's guarded.

I added a thumbrest, block inlay stickers, and restrung with Hofner Short Scale Roundwounds. And blue knobs that go to 11, of course! The color match isn't as spot on as with Blue Belle and Spellcaster (the bass in my avatar), but I think they still look complimentary.

I had a chance to play her in public just once before this whole pandemic thing happened. Soundwise, she was meh. Granted, I didn't have time to do any kind of EQ. It was - as always - plug in and play. I diddled with the knobs, but nothing satisfactory came out.

Pickups, a high mass bridge, Princess Luna sticker for the back, and ashtrays (assuming regular ashtrays don't look gross on a mini), are back burner plans for the future.

 

[Malak the Mad]

This is Princess Luna, a J&D Mini Jazz in Surf Green, that I picked up from the want ads for €75, including shipping.

I'm certain the two of you will be best friends for a very long time.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

This is Princess Luna, a J&D Mini Jazz in Surf Green, that I picked up from the want ads for €75, including shipping. I'd been wanting one of these for a while. When I finally was in a position to afford one, around Chrstmas 2019, MusicStore was sold out. I figured that many were sold as gifts, and knew it was just a matter of time before one showed up in the want ads. Lo and behold, in mid-February, one did.
View attachment 3887806

I toyed with the "Jaco look", but ended up putting the pickguard back on. I may or may not decide to go "Jaco," mainly because of how the guard lines up with the control plate. For now, it's guarded.
View attachment 3887807

I added a thumbrest, block inlay stickers, and restrung with Hofner Short Scale Roundwounds. And blue knobs that go to 11, of course! The color match isn't as spot on as with Blue Belle and Spellcaster (the bass in my avatar), but I think they still look complimentary.
View attachment 3887808

I had a chance to play her in public just once before this whole pandemic thing happened. Soundwise, she was meh. Granted, I didn't have time to do any kind of EQ. It was - as always - plug in and play. I diddled with the knobs, but nothing satisfactory came out.
View attachment 3887809

Pickups, a high mass bridge, Princess Luna sticker for the back, and ashtrays (assuming regular ashtrays don't look gross on a mini), are back burner plans for the future.

Very nice!

 

[Volker Kirstein]

This is Spellcaster, a Costway P clone in Blueburst that I picked up in January on eBay for €66.99. It's the bass you see in my Avatar.

It came well packaged. At 6.5 lbs, it's a lightweight.

I applied "Sexy Lady" inlay stickers, a custom headstock decal, and restrung it with Addagio Flats. And, of course, blue knobs that go to 11...

Note the fancy schmancy mute.

In use at The Basement. (before I got the knobs)

 

[wintremute]

This is Spellcaster, a Costway P clone in Blueburst that I picked up in January on eBay for €66.99. It's the bass you see in my Avatar.
View attachment 3898013

It came well packaged. At 6.5 lbs, it's a lightweight.
View attachment 3898032

I applied "Sexy Lady" inlay stickers, a custom headstock decal, and restrung it with Addagio Flats. And, of course, blue knobs that go to 11...
View attachment 3898015

View attachment 3898016
Note the fancy schmancy mute.

In use at The Basement. (before I got the knobs)
View attachment 3898026

Voodoo Spellcaster. I like it.

 

[Malak the Mad]

@Volker Kirstein; Blueburst rocks so fiercely! I would say, "We all need more Blueburst basses in our lives!", but then ours wouldn't stand out so gloriously from the pack, ja?

 

[Riff Ranger]

@Volker Kirstein; Blueburst rocks so fiercely! I would say, "We all need more Blueburst basses in our lives!", but then ours wouldn't stand out so gloriously from the pack, ja?

View attachment 3898575

Obviously nothing cheap about that one, but if we may digress for a moment, that’s certainly a hot rod (or cool rod?). Custom shop? Factory special run?

 

[Malak the Mad]

Obviously nothing cheap about that one, but if we may digress for a moment, that’s certainly a hot rod (or cool rod?). Custom shop? Factory special run?

Thanks, Monty! And no, not a cheapo bass, but nor was it a hideously expensive one. In fact, it was my first parts-bass "Projekt". It's a Mighty Mite body (purchased with a discount coupon), an Aerodyne neck (harvested from an inexpensively-priced, used 'Dyne), some Jockomo vinyl "inlays" and other bits of interesting hardware goodies.

• Unveiling ~ Part Two: Projekt Blue II

So, while not cheap by the standards of this thread, it's total cost was a far cry from a Custom Shop or a brand-new MIA Fender.