Modifying "Inexpensive" Chinese Made Bass

[vstringbassist]

I recently purchased (last week) a "neckthru 5 string" bass from a music store in Ottawa. I would normally not shop at this store but they had a "Retirement" sale. I paid $226 (tax in) for this bass (normally selling for over $800...***?). I wanted a project so this fit the bill. I have pics of it "stripped" (all hardware removed). I have a design in mind - this is my first "build". I will update as I progress. I will keep the original electronics (Artec pickups?) for now. But if the bass feels right and plays great, I will upgrade pickups/preamp. There was no shielding at all installed on this bass.

 

[vstringbassist]

I spent a few hours today working on this bass. I straightened the bottom of the body (bridge location) similar to a Rybiski classic, modified the head to a custom design and started working on the lower horn (shortened it so far - more work to do) along with "shaping" the back (contour).

 

[Fenwick]

Nice, curious to see how it comes along. Did it not have a brand name on the headstock when you bought it?

 

[vstringbassist]

The brand name is "Baron". This I believe was for Intercontinental Music only. I meant to take a pic before disassembly but forgot to.

 

[Bikeguy57]

Cheap Chinese basses sell for 800.00 there? Wow!

 

[vstringbassist]

Yes, crazy prices! Most of the reviews for the store on Google are negative. When I went there I did not see any "name brand" items like Fender, Ibanez etc. I remember this store was called "Continental Music" back in the 70's and was located on Rideau Street (downtown Ottawa). Back then they had really cool basses like Odyssey, Kramer Aluminum, Lado.

 

[vstringbassist]

I will be staining the bass with a colour called "City Grey" at least this is my plan for now.

 

[Ghastly]

Cool project. I like where you're going.

 

[ejaggers]

Sweet project.

I'm in the market for an old 60s or 70s Japanese bass project
if I can find one that is weird looking and not junk.

I haven’t done a project in a while.
So have fun and keep us informed.

057912

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Bump.

 

[JRA]

some of the cheapies make great 'platforms'! good luck with your project --- you've got some great ideas...and skills!

 

[vstringbassist]

Thank you JRA! Here is what I have completed so far (round 2 last night). Unfortunately I do not have all the tools I require and had to "improvise" a little. Hopefully this evening I will complete the sanding (upper and lower horns) and fret conditioning (sharp edges).

 

[bassbenj]

I love a cheap Chinese mod project. A lot of people scoff but these basses can actually give you a boutique level bass even without changing a lot of stuff. One key is that the Chinese bass must use decent tonewood that by luck is very well matched and has to die for grain. It appears to me that yours meets this rule. Then hokey looks need modded. Your headstock is a totally fine example. Really tweaks the Chinese headstock out! Also I like the bottom of the body change you've sketched out. I would caution you about changing the length of the upper horn as it can severely change the balance of the instrument. Before I began sawing I'd do some experiments with a strap and full bass hardware with the strap connected temporarily at various points to test for balance and neck-dive.

One thing that surprises me about Chinese mod basses is that while I've often changed stiff/loose tuners or put on a new more stable bridge, often the cheapo Chinese pickups and electronics has been amazingly good! I do recommend a new switchcraft jack as the Chinese ones tend to lose tension after a while.

This is a great project. You are starting to give me some serous Chinese bass Mod project GAS! (I have been eyeing a 6 string fanned fret on Aliexpress for sometime now!)

 

[vstringbassist]

Thank you for your feedback bassbenj! You make a good point about the balance - I will grab my strap and check this out (temp put on hardware/electronic circuit for weight etc. - the bridge is quite heavy). I noticed that there are untapped wires on the active module that came with the bass. My guess is this may be for mid range? There are 3 wires so I will investigate this possibility. If I can keep the original electronics this would be ideal. I do like the hardware - it looks good but I do not know how it "performs". I will take a pic of the hardware "temp" installed.

 

[vstringbassist]

I think I am done with the design - just need to sand, file the frets and prep for stain/finish. I temporarily installed the hardware and took pics. When I permanently install the tuners after completion, I will "fan" them like in the pic (they were originally installed "straight").

 

[vstringbassist]

Well, not quite done with the design...got to fix up the lower horn.

 

[vstringbassist]

Well, I think I got the result I was looking for...we'll see after the stain/finish is on.

 

[vstringbassist]

I started to apply polyurethane today.

 

[vstringbassist]

I started to apply polyurethane today.

 

[vstringbassist]

This is my modified Intercontinental Music "Baron" 5 string bass so far. My total financial investment approx $314: Bass/materials/new D'Addario's/best quality input jack & taxes. Of course there has been several hours of "fun" invested!