New Bass, or modify current

[dbhokie]

I don't really have a lot of spare money at the moment as most of it is tied up in house improvements. I played for many years when I was younger, and had a 74 Gibson Grabber Bass. I loved the tone I got from it.

It was stolen from me, and I quit playing for a few years, but about a year and a half ago I picked it back up, bought a couple cheaper basses and started playing again.

Right now, I have a Schecter Stiletto Extreme (4-string). I actually like the feel and weight of it. I am not very impressed by the tone. I guess my issue is whether or not to improve on the current bass (I am very good with all electronic work, (I fix circuit boards a lot for my job)), or just say to heck with it, sell it and try and move with a MM or something of the like.

I was considering replacing the EMG's on the Schecter with Nordstrand Dual Coil Soapbars, wired in parallel, along with a Nordstrand 3b-4a preamp.

Any thoughts?

As a side note, what I am gigging through is an older Peavey T-max Tube/Solid-state 2 channel amp, with a Hartke 410XL cab. I would like to change the speakers one day and invest in some Celestion orange's, but I don't have the money to do it all right now. I absolutely love the T-max head. I honestly wouldn't trade it.

 

[bluesdogblues]

Sorry to say this, but if you don't have the money or the money is limited now, why don't you just stay with what you have now and make the best you possible can from it and saving while wait until the money is enough to step further?

 

[Antny]

I'd try to add an EQ in your lineup to try to move the tone more towards what you want. Or, swap out the pups for some Seymour Duncans.

 

[dbhokie]

I have about a $750 budgeted aside that I can use for musical endeavors. I want to use it towards either improving my current bass guitar, or purchasing a new one.

I can quickly spend this on some new hardware, pickups and preamp, or instead just deal with what I got and maybe buy a better bass in another half a year or so.

 

[bluesdogblues]

instead just deal with what I got and maybe buy a better bass in another half a year or so.

I'd think this is better.


P.S.: but IMHO 750$ probably enough to buy a good bass

 

[Pilgrim]

Schecter makes very good instruments. The first thing I'd do is try a change of strings, and I'll bet you can improve on the sound. After that, I'd try pedals.

As a golf pro told a friend of mine after whacking a drive 250+ yards with a driver that my friend claimed wasn't very good: "It ain't the club, Dave."

 

[Fuzzbass]

Unfortunately it's difficult to say whether a mod will make you happy. I've had mixed results with mods.

IMO, the most important factor is playability: i.e. it's more important for your hands to be happy than your ears. So, if you like the playability of the Schecter, then it might be worthwhile to replace the EMG's. They tend to be modern sounding, so perhaps you could try a flat/vintage replacement. I think Nordstrand is a good choice. Good luck!