Modifying basses

[wafu_vasco]

Hi all!
I'm new to the forums, so apologies if this question has already been answered elsewhere. I have a a Fender Jazz Deluxe (Mexican version) which is only my second bass. I've read in several reviews that the bridge is criticismed for being a poor component on Mexican J-Basses, and a few people have also recommened replacing the pick ups. I had a chat with my local store, who said that unless I don't like the sound from my bass, don't mess around with it. The further problem is that I wouldn't even know where to start looking for new bridges or pick ups, if they would even fit onto a J-Bass without me drilling more holes into it, and once I had the components (pick ups in particular) do I need to start messing around with soldering? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[pringlw]

First thing I would say is find yourself a different guitar store. Putting in a good aftermarket bridge or pickup is considered a pretty basic mod. In fact (I could be wrong about this) but I'm pretty sure the Bad Ass bridges use the same screw holes as the stock bridges so you're not even drilling new holes.

Basically anything that doesn't involve routing out more wood should be considered a basic mod and a competent music store should have no trouble helping you.

 

[wafu_vasco]

Thanks - there's a new place I've found locally after a google search, so I'll try them. Is it worth getting pick ups or bridges online? Also, really stupid question but how do I know how the new mod is going to affect the sound I'm getting?

 

[Lizooki]

I agree w/ the fist store owner.
Modding it just because they ( whoever "they" are ) say so is ridiculous.
I would only mod if there was a problem I was having or something I didn't like.


Matt

 

[62bass]

Thanks - there's a new place I've found locally after a google search, so I'll try them. Is it worth getting pick ups or bridges online? Also, really stupid question but how do I know how the new mod is going to affect the sound I'm getting?

Don't start modifying your bass before you even know what you don't like about the sound. Some of those Mexican Ps and Js sound just fine as is.

Replacing the bridge won't do much for the sound. Even less if you change tuners.

First thing I always do is put on my favourite strings as I don't like the stock strings that come with all the basses I've tried. But if you don't even know what strings you like that can leave you wondering too.

So play it for awhile in a real world situation. Then decide what needs to be improved if anything.

You may want to change to a different pickup later or change to a different bridge. Then you can ask here what fits and what doesn't.

You'll get plenty of opinions.

 

[Jake of Bass]

^^^ What he said.

No point in making mods when

A) you don't know why you're making these mods in the first place.
B) a few people said you should - but a few people are going to say you're shouldn't. Who's right? Make up your own mind about your own instrument.
C) if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

Like 62bass said, play it in a real world situation. You'll soon notice if anything is amiss time and time again. Then get some more advice about your findings and make a decision based upon your experiences and what you want from your instrument.

 

[wafu_vasco]

Thanks for all the advice so far - I've owned the bass for about 10 years, but played it properly for less than half of that time as I'm out of the country a lot. Still, I've played a few gigs with it and know the sort of sound I like. I love the J Bass because of the amount of versatility it gives, especially now I have a good pedal rack and elixir strings. It still leaves me wondering if there is any way I can improve the sound quality - I'm looking for a sharp, snappy Offspring/Green Day/Rancid sort of sound, but also like the option of being able to play the more mellow, duller early Black Sabbath sounds. Are there any pick ups which would help with this? And moreover, why do so many people rip into the bridge of the Mexican Jazz bass?

 

[Sundogue]

...And moreover, why do so many people rip into the bridge of the Mexican Jazz bass?

Because they are idiots. It's the same bridge that's been on thousands of Fenders since it's inception. You'd think if the bridge was crap, sometime over the last 50+ years they'd have designed a different one by now, don't you think?

That bridge is part of the sound. Replace it if you have to, but ask yourself "Why?"

That goes for all your mods. You need to know "why" you're doing what you are doing to it. If you want a different sound, just buy different strings and play through different amps and cabs first.

Don't equate "Mexican" P-Bass with some kind of knock-off Fender clone. It is a FENDER! Fender just outsourced construction to one of their plants in Mexico...and that's the only difference (despite what other people will want you to believe). It's no different than someone buying an "American" car built overseas...same frickin' car!

 

[Pilgrim]

It's the same bridge that's been on thousands of Fenders since it's inception. You'd think if the bridge was crap, sometime over the last 50+ years they'd have designed a different one by now, don't you think?

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It ain't broke and it don't need'ta be fixed.

That bridge is part of the sound. Replace it if you have to, but ask yourself "Why?"

That goes for all your mods. You need to know "why" you're doing what you are doing to it. If you want a different sound, just buy different strings and play through different amps and cabs first.

Right on target. You should have a reason for making changes when the manufacturer has already set up the instrument in a perfectly serviceable configuration.

Don't equate "Mexican" P-Bass with some kind of knock-off Fender clone. It is a FENDER! Fender just outsourced construction to one of their plants in Mexico...and that's the only difference (despite what other people will want you to believe).

Again, right on. I have a 1963 P bass and my 2000 MIM Jazz is built every bit as well as the old P. There's nothing wrong with the MIM P and J basses. Plenty of people will talk them down because they MUST not be as "good", but "good" is defined as what YOU like in terms of playability and sound. Thousands of people have decided the MIM instruments work just fine.

 

[drnkfstdiedrunk]

Mod the Bass... make it your own

 

[wafu_vasco]

Thanks for everybody's opinions - it seems as though the consensus is to leave it the way Fender made it. But for those who do mod their instruments, how do you know what change the sound will make until you've made it? What's to say I won't spend a few hundred on components and then mess around for hours with my guitar to find that I can't really tell the difference, or worse still, I prefered it in its original configuration? I'm leaning more towards leaving it the way it is and just getting my own sound my using thin gauge strings and different effects from my Korg AX3000

 

[mrhardy]

The only thing you need to spend time on is getting it set up to play the way you like it. Learn what a real setup can do for an instument. Not some dude just blindly making changes to the bass without knowing what he is really doing. Or worse, making the bass play worse, because of his lack of knowledge how one change affects another.

 

[Pilgrim]

The single thing you CAN change that makes the most audible difference - and that most people do - is strings. A change of strings from rounds to flats or vice versa, and the kind of strings within those two general categories, will make a big difference in your sound.

If you want bright, snappy sound and non-bright, very bassy sound out of the same instrument, it's probably not gonna happen. (Victor Wooten and Jack Bruce in Cream are NOT happening on the same instrument.)

You can always roll off the treble to nothing at the instrument or the amp, and that will definitely eliminate much of the brightness - but if you want drastically different sound, you'll need two instruments....or some kinda radical processor.

You don't know what difference any mod will make until you do it. You may get a clue from others, and that helps - but it's hard to estimate how much of their description is real, and how much is their imagination or is due to other changes they might have made.

Personally, I have never found shortcomings in any of the standard Fender bridges or tuners. You'll get a completely mixed bag of opinions on Fender's stock pickups, but for everyone who hears big differences between the MIM and American series pups, another hears no difference - or likes the opposite of the first opiner. It's really all up to you, and how much you want to spend experimenting. My suggestion is to start with strings, ignore the bridge, and if you want to change anything else, make it the pickups (buy used on Ebay if possible) or the pots and capacitor in the tone controls.

 

[MadMan118]

I've never liked any of the bridges that fender instals on their basses, and the fenders I do own a jazz and a percision both are fitted with hipshot aftermarket bridges.

 

[Infernal Affair]

Thanks for everybody's opinions - it seems as though the consensus is to leave it the way Fender made it. But for those who do mod their instruments, how do you know what change the sound will make until you've made it? What's to say I won't spend a few hundred on components and then mess around for hours with my guitar to find that I can't really tell the difference, or worse still, I prefered it in its original configuration? I'm leaning more towards leaving it the way it is and just getting my own sound my using thin gauge strings and different effects from my Korg AX3000

Usually people make their decisions based on hearing recordings of artists who use said parts, or from trial and error as you outlined.

While I'm in agreement with others when they say don't mod something if you like it, I think learning how to do things like change pickups, bridges, etc. is a neat skill to learn and really helps you get to know the instrument. I know tons of musicians who don't know how to do their own setups, and some that went a long time without knowing how to change their strings! That doesn't discount their musicianship in any way.

I have an SX Precision bass that I got off of the classifieds that I mess around with and mod whenever I have the time or money. It's my beater/loaner bass. So far I've changed the pickup. The old pickup was pretty good to begin with, but I didn't like how the poles stuck out. Plus I wanted to know how the famous Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder sounded like in person. I eventually plan on changing the pick guard and bridge, possibly the tuners. Thanks to classifieds I can get these parts for fairly cheap. Will the bass be significantly better with these mods? Maybe, maybe not. Only I know. Would I do these mods to my non-beater basses? Hell no. I love them as they are.

 

[Stumpy]

I like to make mods to the lower end, great feeling basses. I did a bunch of P basses, P Specials, Ibanez, Jazz basses, etc.

I loved the Schaller Tuners as they were much more accurate, and held their tune longer. I liked the roller-rocker bridges, again by Schaller as they added a great deal of setup options and added a bit of girth and sustain to the sound. As for pups I love the Bartolini sound and I love the Aguilar OBP3.



Just my 2cents

 

[Sundogue]

While I have been recommending not modding anything, I should point out that I do mods to my basses. But I've been playing for 30 years, I've played almost every commercial bass made and I know what I'm looking to get out of each mod. Still, you gotta start somewhere...

If you want to do it, go ahead...but have a reason that an amp or cab or string change can't solve...and only because you really dig this bass otherwise and another won't do.

Same bass over the years...

It's had other bridges, tuners and pickups, but currently the body, tuners, P-Bass pups and bridge are stock. Different neck as the stock neck is getting defretted for a different bass.

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[bassbully]

First thing I would say is find yourself a different guitar store. Putting in a good aftermarket bridge or pickup is considered a pretty basic mod. In fact (I could be wrong about this) but I'm pretty sure the Bad Ass bridges use the same screw holes as the stock bridges so you're not even drilling new holes.

Basically anything that doesn't involve routing out more wood should be considered a basic mod and a competent music store should have no trouble helping you.

Sorry but i hope not to offend you when i say why should he look for a new guitar store? They gave him solid sound advice on his bass. Mods are only needed if you A. Need them to replace parts on a bass which are not working or holding up long enough to play it without problems. B. Change the tone or sound which doesnt suit you.

Mods beyond that can be cosmetic or a chance to experiment and maybe throw money away..... its a crapshoot. The shop did their job and told him if it works leave it alone ..if you like it why change it ? Good advice!

 

[bassbully]

Because they are idiots. It's the same bridge that's been on thousands of Fenders since it's inception. You'd think if the bridge was crap, sometime over the last 50+ years they'd have designed a different one by now, don't you think?

That bridge is part of the sound. Replace it if you have to, but ask yourself "Why?"

That goes for all your mods. You need to know "why" you're doing what you are doing to it. If you want a different sound, just buy different strings and play through different amps and cabs first.

Don't equate "Mexican" P-Bass with some kind of knock-off Fender clone. It is a FENDER! Fender just outsourced construction to one of their plants in Mexico...and that's the only difference (despite what other people will want you to believe). It's no different than someone buying an "American" car built overseas...same frickin' car!

I agree 100%.there is no diffrence in these bridges except the materials used and the saddles themselves.The USA saddle is threaded like a screw and the deluxe and standard slotted. People say of those flimsy fender bridges take one off and try bending it with you hands if its so flimsy. Its just holding strings guys. I will say it again a Fender MIM is one great bass and a great platform for mods if you choose or playing stock.I dont know of a better budget bass IMO.

 

[Sundogue]

I agree 100%.there is no diffrence in these bridges except the materials used and the saddles themselves.The USA saddle is threaded like a screw and the deluxe and standard slotted. People say of those flimsy fender bridges take one off and try bending it with you hands if its so flimsy. Its just holding strings guys. I will say it again a Fender MIM is one great bass and a great platform for mods if you choose or playing stock.I dont know of a better budget bass IMO.

How true.

If Fender never delineated their manufacture of origin and just left ALL Fenders be Fenders and no one knew whether a bass was made in the USA, Japan, Mexico or Herb's back yard, nobody would know the difference. The only difference would be the feel, sound and playability between individual basses themselves, and that happens even between Fenders made in the same country.

Perception is reality. Sometimes that perception costs you more money...and sometimes it saves you a ton of cash.