Let's See Your Hot-Rodded Cheapo Basses!

[Riff Ranger]

I picked up this Yamaha TRBX174 about a year ago from the local G.C. Traded in a cheap boost pedal and handed them $100. I really enjoyed how balanced it was at pretty much any angle. Overall tone was pleasant for what it was. With this just being an extra bass in the stable I decided I wanted to tinker with it. I didn't have a fretless bass at the time and decided why not make it fretless. Being new to a fretless instrument I decided to use maple strips to fill the fret holes. The contrast gives the illusion of frets but none are present. At the same time I decided I wanted to black out the hardware.

I picked up Hotshot tuners ($110) and bridge ($65). Swapped to black Dunlop strap locks ($10). Found a black neck plate ($15) and string retainer ($20) on Reverb so grabbed it even though I'll be the only one to see that. Lastly I grabbed some Fender pot knobs (free). I like having the numbers. I frequently adjust levels depending on what I'm playing so having the numbers really helps. I had the local luthier make a new nut ($15) for it as well. Bone cut for flats and piccolo strings.

I'm thinking of replacing the P pickups with DiMarzio Split P. I'd also like to add a pickup selector switch at some point. I'd also like to get a new bridge for faster string changes. Overall I'm having fun with the journey.

Great work on the fingerboard! Looks a lot like the factory fretless fingerboard on my inexpensive Yamaha RBX260F.

 

[Plake]

Epi EB0

 

[AdamAnt]

Great work on the fingerboard! Looks a lot like the factory fretless fingerboard on my inexpensive Yamaha RBX260F.
View attachment 7500165

Wow yeah that looks like what I did. There's looks nicer for sure. Less gouges in the wood from pulling the frets out.