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Modding MIM Precision

bh2

bh2

Jun 16, 2008
2,464
109
Oxford, UK
www.bobhundley.com
#1
Hello Chaps... just though I'd run this by you to see if anyone has any comments/suggestions/tips...

Early last year I bought (off EBay) a MIM P bass... it's really nice and was my main gigging bass last year (I thought I'd get a passive bass for some festies we were playing at).

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This year I'm gigging my trusty Stingray so the Precision is going to get some treatment... mainly just to personalise to a more 'vintage' look.

The machines are a bit loose so I thought I'd take them apart and tighten, or replace with a set of Wilkinson's... are they any good?

Also Tort plate and chrome pup and bridge covers and the obligatory thumbrest.

It's a super bass so it's all cosmetic really apart from the wobbly tuners.

Looking forward to your feedback...

Cheers

Bob.
 
#2
I too own an MIM p-bass. It's nicely modded. with some of these...

http://www.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=260
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It has some passive P/J pickups, which were a huge improvement over the stock pickup. It literally went from nasty/awful to marcus miller. Passive pickups seem so 80s, but the sound is fantastic. Country, slapping, funk, all available...and we fixed the hum too. I had the hipshot left over from another bass. Nearly the range of a 5 string but without the expense. It also got a decent setup by the local bass luthier at the same time.

It's my fave bass. Great tone, easy to play. :bassist:
 
#3
Thanks for the links there reverendrally... those gold plated hipshots look great... but I'm on a budget...hehe.
I'm really happy with the sound and it's noiseless (I was lucky?). It's great for the studio, so I'm leaving the electrics be.

Post a piccy of your modded bass and anyone else for that matter.
 
#5
I'd replace all the machines if they're giving you trouble, go for a full set of lightweight Hipshots with an Xtender on the E. This will give more range and improve the balance too. Of course there is the almost obligatory Badass bridge replacement to consider. Then there is the p/up upgrade option, no matter what you fit; Fender USA, Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, etc, it'll sound sooo much better, you might consider upgrading the pots and tone capacitor too. As for the tort plate, well that's just got to be done as it will look great on that blue. The nice thing about MIMs is that they are a great upgrade platform. Have fun and post some more pics and info when you're done.
 
#7
I've modded a couple of MIM's.
blue1.jpg

blue2.jpg

Added Dimarzio Model P, Allparts Tort Guard and Badass II

I recently put together a P with MIM Body and a bunch of other parts. (see my sigfile)

Personally, I would highly recommend Hipshot tuning machines. I've used them on a couple of my recent bass builds.
 
#9
I did what you are thinking of a few years back to a 96 MIA tbsb. I changed out the white pick guard for a tort and added the pup and bridge covers with the thumb rest. The only thing on is the bridge cover. The pup cover and thumb rest really get in my way.
 
#10
Yes... prob only have both covers on when it's 'at rest'. What's really got me started on this is those bloody dodgy machines... I think Wilkinsons are the only ones I can go with at the moment.

After seeing the covers thread I've just got to try some...!

Some nice modding there Gubna... I like the Jazz mods.

Thanks for the comments, keep em coming.
 
#11
Hello peeps... just about ready to start on this project, just a quickie... I'm thinking of going string-thru, but I'm having trouble finding a suitable bridge... any suggestions? Also are there any pitfalls I should be aware of here?

I'll post piccys when it's done.

Cheers.
 
#12
bh2 said:
Hello peeps... just about ready to start on this project, just a quickie... I'm thinking of going string-thru, but I'm having trouble finding a suitable bridge... any suggestions? Also are there any pitfalls I should be aware of here?

I'll post piccys when it's done.

Cheers.
Click to expand...


badass III would be a great bridge. i think that the hipshot bridge is dual loading also.

or look around for a used bridge from an american series or something where the owner put something else.
 
#13
The MIA tuners are very solid -- what exactly is the problem -- maybe something really just needs to be tighened/adjusted. A bridge cover won't fit with a BA bridge, and the stock bridge is perfectly fine anyway. Also, the regular old MIA Precision pickup sounds great to me ears and I wouldn't even consider changing it.


Edit: Forget all of this, I just noticed that you have a MIM Fender. If you want the bridge cover, you need a traditional style Fender bridge. I like the vintage bridges with threaded saddles. Also, the Fender Original Precision pickup sounds great -- its the pickup that comes on the 62RI Precisions. I don't know much about the current crop of replacement tuners, but make sure whatever you buy actually fits the diameter of the tuner holes. See the links below. Have fun!

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#14
bh2 said:
Hello peeps... just about ready to start on this project, just a quickie... I'm thinking of going string-thru, but I'm having trouble finding a suitable bridge... any suggestions? Also are there any pitfalls I should be aware of here?

I'll post piccys when it's done.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

I don't like string through bridges, because it makes it difficult/impossible to get the strings put on and tuned up without getting them twisted against themselves. With a standard top load bridge, you can get the string almost to pitch, and the pull it slack at the bridge to let it twist itself back to neutral -- can't do that with string through. Also, IMO string through makes no difference in sound or feel. Plus it can be harder to find strings that fit. If you want to do it, try a Fender deluxe bridge, available from Link Removed, and use a drill press. Good luck.
 
#17
I tweeked up my MIM 50's Classic P bass too.

The machines and bridge needed help, so I went with Hipshot Kluson-style units, and a plain Gotoh bridge (204?).

The stock pickup seemed mediocre, at best. Dropped in an old Bart, along with all new pots and cap.

Now, it's a seriously nice P bass.
 
#19
Finished! My gas has subsided...

Retro look
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Prob better for playing
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New machines
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The Wilkos are lock solid and nice and chunky... proper. Tip... retain your original mounting screws, the ones supplied are a bit short and thin.

Next up... string through and white pearl thumb rest/pull.

I'm very happy with it. Cheers.
 

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