Let's See Your Hot-Rodded Cheapo Basses!

[Dark Horse]

Not quite.

First difference being the 'Grind' has an offset body shape and is 35" scale length. Then there's the history, Grinds started life as a USA production line bass. They were an active bolt on neck design, the 4 string being a PJ and the 5 string a JJ. Those were quickly joined by an import line with the same hardware/materials/spec. Below are my US Grinds along with the more common neck through version.
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Sales were poor so Peavey switched things around.

Passive C-Series/Zephyrs were brought back with a scale length increase to 35", active pickups/EQ and a new name; "Cirrus BXP".

Active bolt on Grinds became passive neck through basses. For some reason there was a slight change to the pickups, 4 wire humbuckers became 2 wire humbuckers and the DCR dropped by 5%

Interesting ! Thanks for the info. Sometimes I see Grinds for sale for pretty cheap ($175-275 or so) and I always think to myself that these would be really good “sleeper” basses to modify and upgrade. I have only seen the neck through soapbar ones. Good looking basses for sure. Unfortunately the ones I’ve checked out tend to be pretty heavy, and I have cancer tumors in my spine so weight is an issue. If I found a lightweight one cheap it would certainly be tempting though.

Yours are Beauts ! I especially like the natural finished one and the hologram…. That one reminds me of the G Basses, which are criminally underrated instruments. I should’ve never sold the one I had way back when.

 

[Dark Horse]

The CAR/ Pinstripe Club!

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I’m not sure how many times I’ve told you over the years that I love love love this bass !

 

[2saddleslab]

I’m not sure how many times I’ve told you over the years that I love love love this bass !

Thanks, pal! It's light, punchy, and a joy to play.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Although these will fall into the "cheapo" category. I just know they're mine, and I love 'em.

The first one: Parts-bass
-Squier CV Mustang body
-Squier Bronco neck
-Sentell Bullet/Mustang B11-2 pickups
-Squier Mustang bridge
-Hipshot tuners
-bright white w/b/w 3 layer pickguard
-blue speed knobs on CTS 500 pots
-handpainted by my daughter, custom headstock sticker created by her too
-assembled by me, parts bought from lots of sources, total cost around $450

2nd one: Squier CV Mustang Competition orange
-Sentell Bullet/Mustang B11-2 pickups
-red speed knobs on CTS 500 pots
-Although these will fall into the "cheapo" category. I just know they're mine, and I love 'em.
-bright white w/b/w 3 layer pickguard
-total investment around $550

3rd one: Squier Musicmaster bass
-stock except for refinish in Candy Apple Red, and new guard with artwork from my son, white speed knobs
-total investment around $300, bought for $75 off CL and the rest for the paint. Body was in terrible shape when I got it

Last one: Parts-bass
-body is '78 Musicmaster, got that bass for free, it was found in a barn and in dreadful shape
-paint scheme was airbrushed by my son as a senior art project
-Squier Bronco neck with old tuners from Squier P bass, headstock sticker by my daughter
-Sentell Lil Sis pickup
-bright white pickguard
-red speed knobs on CTS 500 pots
-Squier Musicmaster through body bridge
-this is the latest and last incarnation of this bass barring any issues, total invested over the years, maybe $500

 

[WI Short Scaler]

The CAR/ Pinstripe Club!

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That is very sharp. The pinstripes are so cool.

 

[CoryB]

The CAR/ Pinstripe Club!

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NICE! I hadn't seen yours before. I think we need at least a pinstriped bass club. Making it CAR only might restrict it too much.

 

[kodiakblair]

Unfortunately the ones I’ve checked out tend to be pretty heavy,

That's a common complaint

 

[shade_1313]

I bought a used Ibanez BTB400QM for $200 on Reverb, the main issue being that the preamp was fried. I decided that I wanted to go for a wholesale revision of the electronics, and a couple cosmetic changes, too.

As it was advertised on Reverb.

Gutted, and the pickups got yanked, too.

So, what went in?

A pair of Nordstrand’s version of Dingwall pickups, their Dingstrand Nordwall set, controlled by a Dingwall 2x pickup selector, and with a Darkglass Tone Capsule for the preamp. So, yeah, I basically made a parallel fretted Dingwall. An Ibanwall…Dinganez?

And to polish it off, it got matched strings and knobs:

 

[AlteredCourse]

Here's my most recently finished project:

Started off with a unloaded Squire Contemporary Jazz V body I got from the TB classified. I shielded the cavities because I was hoping to throw some single coils in there. Went out my way to acquire the matching neck from its Precision cousin because I am not fan of jazz necks.

Hardware wise, I went with Hipshot ultralites and a Hipshot Kickass bridge. The latter requires some plugging and drilling which I was not expecting to do, but it was good learning experience!

On the electronics front, I went with Nordy Big Singles and a Darkglass Tone Capsule. I went with an push pull set up with a passive tone.

On the todo list is a new nut. I have a TUSQ nut blank that will take to a luthier as that exceeds my current abilities. Overall I am happy with the sound and feel! The roasted maple neck is really nice and stable and there's of tonal options with the electronics set up!

 

[Clark Westfield]

Here is my Yamaha BB234.

Mods:

Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders ( pic was before mod)
Fender strap washers
Sanded and refinished then back of the neck.

My main practice bass and #2 at gigs.

 

[MadJack]

I've been using my Donner DPB-510 as my primary player as it just fits most all that I play. I even used it at worship practice the other night. (I'm not scheduled this week, but was there for practice to get my toes wet.) Most of what I'm played is with a EHX Bass Soul Food for just the right amount and tone of drive. I felt it needed just a little bit more, so I pulled out my modded Glarry (similar to the Nate Mendel Signature, for which it was based). That was exactly what I needed for this set.

For this bass, I had a BWB pickguard made, swapped in a Chinese cast bridge with brass saddles, rewired it with GuitarElectronics Precision Bass kit with CTS/Switch Craft/Sprague controls and found a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder on clearance (NIB $61!).



It's not a bass I like for general playing, but with overdrive/Distortion/Fuzz or where I just need a hotter signal P type, this thing has been hitting the spot for me. The QPs just nail the sound for this set.

For those who might be interested, this is the Sunday Playlist. (It is worship music, so if you're offended by it, you might want to skip it. I'm only posting it as an example of the music we played.) The first song is with drive on and mostly played with pick, with a couple sections played finger style. Second song is drive on, but with round tip on my TUSQ Bi-Angle picks. last song is fingerstyle with drive in biggest parts, otherwise it's with a hot clean sound.

 

[Verne Andru]

I thought the $169 retail on the Squier SS Jaguar bass was low-ball cheap. Especially considering it came with a skunk stripe and painted headstock. Mine has flatwounds, a new bridge, custom pickguard, Fender P-Bass pickups. a SD Jazz Hotstack (splits to normal single-coil Jazz off a push-pull) and a pickup blend pot. I have guitars built off a $5 garage sale purchase, but this is the best I can do for basses.

 

[mellowgerman]

My main basses are vintage USA Guilds, a Gibson, an Alembic, a Rickenbacker... but gotta love some sweet modified cheapies too! Both have epic tones and play great after a little bit of focused setup work.

Squier Bronco with a Hammon Darkstar and DIY satin baby blue finish:


Squier 5 string with Alembic pickups and preamp (this vid's pretty long but there are a million tones in this bass):

 

[4 Out of 5]

My el cheapo Artist mini P before and after shots.
I've posted it on this thread previously, but this week I've just finished hot rodding the pick guard with an acrylic tort sticker, and copper shielding the cavity.
Other upgrades:
- Gotoh GB350 tuners
- Gold string tee, strap buttons and pickguard screws
- Early 80s Super P4 pickup (Dimarzio Model P clone) and electronics from my Ibanez Blazer
- brass bridge and saddles from the Blazer
- Les Paul style control knobs.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Squier Debut Precision.

8lb 4oz 129.00 delivered.
Upgraded pickguard gold glitter
Replaced wiring, pots, and jack (waxed cloth silver wire, CTS 250k, switchcraft)
Fully shielded with copper tape.
Topped a couple high frets
Lowered the action at the nut.

Sets up low, sounds good, plays good (jazz width nut (38mm)

Less than 200.00 total including 40.00 EB Group 3 flats!

 

[SeaDunk]

My Harley Benton JB75-NA

I've upgraded it with the following - Total cost of the whole bass including the below mod's £345

Copper Shielded
Gotoh GB640 Resolite Machine heads
Gotoh Bridge
John East J-Tone Preamp
Dimarzio Area J's
Dunlop Marcus Miller SS Strings

 

[gip111]

Hello fellow TB'ers. This is my first time posting over here. Riff Ranger suggested I come on over.
Here's one that I've done.

It started life as a Limited edition Jackson JS1M. Nothing to rave about but a good platform to experiment with. The flat black body wasn't my thing. So, the body was scuffed and sprayed with clear. Then, that overly white looking Maple also had to go. Enter the amber tint and vintage amber topcoat. The neck was also shaved down from the heavy D profile to a more fat C style similar to a Tele bass neck. Fingerboard edges rolled as well. These necks have graphite rods in them stock. Surprising on an under $200 dollar bass. The amber really makes the Birdseye and flames in the Maple pop. Also shows off the scarf joint.

Now for the sound. I didn't like the tone of the stock ceramic magnet pickups. So, they were upgraded to an EMG Geezer Butler signature set, since I had a spare set here anyways. After all is said and done this bass looks and plays great. Sounds HUGE and hits way above it's price point. In fact I've been asked a few times if it was a vintage USA Jackson.

I also run the Official Black 'n' Maple basses owners club. Feel free to hear on over there and say hi.
60bass
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/th...-club-part-four.928117/page-112#post-28480043

The stock look (puke)
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After mods.
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I know this is a bit old... you did a great job on that bass, love what you did to the neck!

I just recently got myself one of these Limited-Edition Jackson JS1M. I walked into GC not even looking for a bass, saw this on sale, tried it out and immediately knew I was buying this. The neck did it for me, I like the almost "flat" back of the neck. It felt great and with the right amp setting, the stock pickup can sound ok. Can't say enough about this neck for a budget bass, I have the action almost as low as a guitar and with a light touch, there is no fret buzz at all!

Bass is balanced, definitely needs a new set of strings, eventually I'll change the pickup and for an old guy, the headstock is growing on me.

 

[Riff Ranger]

I know this is a bit old... you did a great job on that bass, love what you did to the neck!

I just recently got myself one of these Limited-Edition Jackson JS1M. I walked into GC not even looking for a bass, saw this on sale, tried it out and immediately knew I was buying this. The neck did it for me, I like the almost "flat" back of the neck. It felt great and with the right amp setting, the stock pickup can sound ok. Can't say enough about this neck for a budget bass, I have the action almost as low as a guitar and with a light touch, there is no fret buzz at all!

Bass is balanced, definitely needs a new set of strings, eventually I'll change the pickup and for an old guy, the headstock is growing on me.

When you mod it, please show us

 

[60bass]

OK @Riff Ranger

I'm late to the party but now I'm here. For my entry I offer you "Old Yeller" but this time his owner (me) doesn't have to shoot him.

Started life as a Squier Sonic Precision bass in graffiti yellow. Sorry for the smallish pic but it's the only one i have of the stock bass. But I'm sure you've all seen one anyways. Ug that PG is sp fugly. Wasn't a fan of the super light Maple neck either but that's what you get with this one.

When I saw these go on sale right before Christmas on fender's website, I figured, why not? I don't have a yellow bass and you know, how bad can it be? If it was no good I could just send it back. Well, when it arrived I was surprised at exactly how nice it was. However, since I'm the type that can't leave anything alone, I decided to start in right away and do some modding on it.

The Graffiti Yellow reminded me of the colorful basses we played in the 80's. Bright flashy colors that really popped on stage. Then I wanted even more 80's craziness so I added a Cheap Trick inspired pickguard. Now it's looking good BUT still needed some more flash. On went the Fender branded chrome hi-mass bridge I already had here. I've never been a fan of stock Squier ceramic magnet pickups so for better tone I also added an EMG Geezer Butler pick up because I already had a set here.

So here's version 1 of Old Yeller. Please use eye protection due to the blinding effect of that super light Maple neck, the PG or both.

Looking good BUT.... still didn't have that vibe I was looking for. After looking at if for a day or so I decided it was the Maple neck that I wasn't happy with. That blinding light colored Maple look had to go. So after pulling the neck off another bass I had here, I installed a neck with a Indian Laurel board. This one's pretty dark and looks good so on it went. As I was Rummaging around in my boxes of endless parts I came across a really nice set of GOTOH Lollipops so on they went. As everyone knows any set of GOTOH tuners are better than what you get on a stock Squier (or many basses for that matter) and besides who doesn't like Lollipops? They're way cool. I think these basses were on sale for $169.00. Then figure about an extra $100 to 150 for the parts. Most of which I already had here. Easily under $400 for the whole bass. Plays as good as my MIM basses and my more expensive Squiers.

Now this one is done. 8.9 lbs and sounds sweet, plays great. The darker fretboard did the trick for this Cheap Trick themed bass. I'm really pleased with the way this one turned out. I hope you like Old Yeller version 2. Squier has been turning out some great instruments. They've really stepped up their game at their Indonesian and Chinese manufacturing facilities.

Coming soon, a way cool Bronco bass I also fixed up.

 

[Riff Ranger]

Welcome aboard, @60bass you’re gonna love it here.