Mod, or buy: what would you do...

To answer your question though, you do have another option. You could get one of the new S.U.B. by Sterling by Musicman basses, which are getting great reviews, and put in a Jazz pickup. That way you already have the preamp and the MM pickup and whatnot, you just need to get the jazz pickup. You can check them out here:

http://www.sterlingbymusicman.com/sub-bass

 

I'd make my own, but I'm just a roll your own kinda guy, and I would start with one of these:

http://www.rondomusic.com/URSA2HUMmncar.html

but I'm a passive kinda guy. To see what I did with mine see:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/nbd-sx-content-948401/

 

Anything but mod.

 

Never spend more on parts than the instrument is worth over all. $1000 of bits in a $200 bass just seems like the wrong path to take.

 

Get a used 55-02 for ~$900?

 

+1

I've owned 5 sx basses and though nice, I'd go for any of the other choices without second thought.

 

Buy a used 44-02 or 55-02 skyline. They are great and if you get a good deal you'll be able to sell it for what you paid later on.

Modding is always a money loser, even more so if you dont do your own work. I'm addicted to it, but I realize it's a fetish and should only be used when what you want isn't on the market.

In your case, there's an affordable high quality option for your need. So don't mod unless you just happen to like doing so and flushing away money on it (like many of us!).

 

Sell the Fender MIA J and buy what you really want. Don't overlook a used bass either. You may be able to trade your Fender for EXACTLY what you want too.

 

There's also the Ibanez Roadgear series that have a MM and J pickup, and you can find them in the $200-250 range. The body style is similar to a Lakland as well.

 

you have a clear vision of what you want. I think modding is definitely a fine idea in this instance. modding because reasons is when you're doing it wrong.

 

Only mod if you don't really care about resale value and you enjoy spending time on such projects.

I am very happy with my project "Gilmour" Mexi-strat, in which I have about $700 invested in total. I'd never be able to sell it for that, but I don't want to sell it because it's so personal and awesome.

 

I love StingRays! I've been playing a killer used SR4 that I bought for another TB'er, picked it up from the TB classifieds for like $800 or something like that.

But you can find used dual pickup factory StingRays all day long for the 1000-1200 range, why bother with modding?

 

I don't agree entirely. If I can make a bass that does what I want and feels like I want for less than buying it outright, how much I spent for the bass relative to the mods is irrelevant.

 

My take on modding, for whatever it is worth, is that if you can buy what you are looking for off the rack (not a custom build, etc...), it is typically better to do so. If what you want is just not a thing that is being built and you don't want to/can't afford to go custom then mod away.

 

The guarantee on modding: there is absolutely no guarantee on the outcome.

 

For a $1000 you could a killer and I mean killer new Ibanez or Carvin and the Carvin would be built to order. A custom USA built Carvin with all the touches and prime woods or a mainland China built Lakeland with lower end electronics and woods, oh and lesser build quality???

 

Great bass at a very good price.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/ft-fs-lakland-skyline-55-02-stock-barts-mid-switches-993678/

I have no connection/affiliation with the seller, FYI.

 

+1

Or...Go for 1 pickup and 2-band EQ!