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P-Bass modding advice

Lazarus.Bird

Lazarus.Bird

Mr. Personality
Aug 16, 2010
10,577
1,367
Pittsburgh
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#1
Recently picked up a 1984 Ibanez Roadstar II RB630 p-bass off the classifieds here. Just cleaned it up a bit and strung it with some Chromes and I am in love! I've never replaced any of the hardware on any of my basses, but this seems like it would be a good project bass to start with. Please assume I know nothing in the following questions...

I need to replace the pots as they are really scratchy and intermittent. Here is a pic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v370/braym8845/photo3.jpg

I believe the pots are stamped with "M250k0A" which I'm assuming means they are 250K pots, correct? Would these be a suitable replacement?

http://www.allparts.com/CTS-250K-Split-Shaft-Audio-Pot-p/ep-0085-000.htm

Do these fit on those: http://www.allparts.com/Black-Barrel-Knobs-p/mk-0115-003.htm

While I'm in there I might swap the input jack as it's likely seen some wear and tear. Is this fine?

http://www.allparts.com/Switchcraft-Number-11-1-4-inch-Input-Jack-p/ep-0055-000.htm

The bridge looks like a standard fender bridge with the 5 holes. How much of an upgrade is putting something like a Badass on here? Are they much different?

I couldn't find much about the pickups. I believe they are referred to as the P4 or Super P4? It seems like they are stock. It sounds pretty gnarly but I'd like to explore options. This bass will be mainly for stoner rock/sludge/doom. I like the tone knob rolled all the way off with lots of lows and mids. What would be a good pup for me? I've been reading good things about the Lawrence P46. I can also get an employee discount at Best Buy via my fiance's brother and could have him order something from their website at a good price as well.

Any idea where I could find a PG for this? Nada on ebay. I guess I could always have one custom made although I'm assuming it might cost me. I'd like to go black like in the ones here: http://ibanezregister.com/Gallery/basses/rb/gal-rb630.htm

Here's a picture of mine for reference:
ibanezJ.jpg


Opinions, think it would look good in all black with black tuners/bridge/PG/knobs? What is the proper term for the thing that holds the D and G strings in place on the headstock, and can I get those in black? ;)

Sorry for the wall of text and thanks for any help :)
 
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#2
IMO, The CTS pots are a good way to go, but unless you find something to place in the slot the knobs you selected will not work. For those knobs you must use a solid shaft pot.

I also believe that you may wanna keep the p'ups in place...damn good p'ups! Anything else would be tossing around needless money. Those p'ups were pretty hot! Close to SD Quarter Pounders in tone.

Far be it for me to tell anyone what to do with their instrument, but I would leave it be! Part of the mojo of having an aging instrument is having all of the parts age together...scratchy pots included. This could take care of your pot issue: http://www.amazon.com/DeoxIT®-DN5-Mini-Spray-nonflammable-solution/dp/B000RGD9PK

I would leave all of the mods for a newer, less expensive instrument. I have found that the 70's and early 80's Ibanez basses are gems in their own right! It's way cooler to have one that's unmolested than one that's tricked out. Lucky for you, many have yet realized the value of these instruments and they can still be good finds.
 
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#4
I had a slightly earlier model of your bass (RB620 with the 2+2 headstock). I really liked it, but I would have upgraded the pups had I kept it -- I thought they were pretty low output, compared even to a stock P.

Doubt you'll find a replacement PG without going custom. Does yours have the arrowhead strap buttons? Genius design, IMO.

I'll repspectfully disgree with Billy and say I think your bass is a great mod platform. They were on the lower end of Ibby's product spectrum (I think I bought mine for around $200 new) and I doubt they'd appreciate significantly in value over time. One guy's opinion...

And yeah, the pots probably just need a cleaning.
 
#5
You could pop in one of those CTS/Sprague/Switchcraft p-bass wiring kits quick and easy. The consensus seems to be that the stock pups are worth hanging on to.

I'd have to ditch those heart-shaped tuners pronto. I've never liked the way those looked, but I'm sure they work just fine.

If the screw holes in the bridge are, in fact, just like a standard Fender bridge, you have plenty of choices for a direct replacement, including the Badass II.

That's a nice looking bass.
 
#6
change only what you need (or don't like) and even then, have a good idea what you want... i didn't... and i noticed only minor changes in tone anyway...

the biggest change you can get is from different strings anyway... but even the strings change over time, so you may wanna use them at least a couple of months before making an opinion...

cool bass btw, it reminded me to check the classifieds :P
 
#7
dalkowski said:
I had an earlier model of your bass (with the 2+2 headstock). I really liked it, but I would have upgraded the pups had I kept it -- I thought they were pretty low output, compared even to a stock P.

Doubt you'll find a replacement PG without going custom. Does yours have the arrowhead strap buttons? Genius design, IMO.

I'll repspectfully disgree with Billy and say I think your bass is a great mod platform. They were on the lower end of Ibby's product spectrum (I think I bought mine for around $200 new) and I doubt they'd appreciate significantly in value over time. One guy's opinion...
Click to expand...

I understand your point, but in this case, I really was not speaking to the resale value of the instrument. There is an intrinsic value that comes with playing a peace of history that one can't retain once you've altered it. Mind you, I am a modding fool, but I am learning how to leave some instruments be what they are...even the low buck ne'r do wells from my teen years! :smug:

Sure, it's not an early model Fender, or anything as nearly collectible, but it surely is cool to jump on stage and kick booty with a nearly 30 year old instrument!
 
#8
fyi, the Leo Quann II bridge is a direct replacement...screw on and go....if you really want to replace nut at headstock then get a teflon nut...Good luck.
 
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#9
Billy Low said:
I understand your point, but in this case, I really was not speaking to the resale value of the instrument. There is an intrinsic value that comes with playing a peace of history that one can't retain once you've altered it. Mind you, I am a modding fool, but I am learning how to leave some instruments be what they are...even the low buck ne'r do wells from my teen years! :smug:

Sure, it's not an early model Fender, or anything as nearly collectible, but it surely is cool to jump on stage and kick booty with a nearly 30 year old instrument!
Click to expand...

I hear ya -- point taken. My relationship with my Ibby was borderline abusive -- the only one of around a dozen basses I've owned that I had no problem beating on. It had a mismatched tuning machine to replace one that broke off when I dropped it in our rehearsal space's parking lot in the early 90s. Serious rash on the back b/c the varnish on the natural finish would flake off at the slightest provocation. But it was fuuuun to play. I hope out there somewhere, someone's still enjoying its mojo. If I still had it today, it might look like something Mike Watt would play. And I'm not a modder at all!
 
#11
Do they carry the deoxit stuff at walmart/ace/guitar center? The pots I'd like to fix right away (and change the knobs) so I guess I'll try cleaning them first. Thanks for the suggestion on the CTS wiring kits I hadn't seen those before.

I don't want to change stuff just for the sake of changing stuff. I guess I'd probably be better off modding a VM or something instead of changing a stock instrument that's 26 years old. Just thought it might be cool to stealth it out ;)

It came with a great setup from the previous owner and plays like a dream. I've only heard it through the headphone jack on my practice amp so far but I'm playing it through my rig tonight. Guess I'll rock it as is for awhile before I decide to make any changes.

And yes it does have the arrowhead strap buttons. Took me 5 minutes to get my strap over them but it sure as hell isn't going to fall off!
 
#12
Lazarus.Bird said:
Do they carry the deoxit stuff at walmart/ace/guitar center? The pots I'd like to fix right away (and change the knobs) so I guess I'll try cleaning them first. Thanks for the suggestion on the CTS wiring kits I hadn't seen those before.

I don't want to change stuff just for the sake of changing stuff. I guess I'd probably be better off modding a VM or something instead of changing a stock instrument that's 26 years old. Just thought it might be cool to stealth it out ;)

It came with a great setup from the previous owner and plays like a dream. I've only heard it through the headphone jack on my practice amp so far but I'm playing it through my rig tonight. Guess I'll rock it as is for awhile before I decide to make any changes.

And yes it does have the arrowhead strap buttons. Took me 5 minutes to get my strap over them but it sure as hell isn't going to fall off!
Click to expand...

Scratchy pots come from dust. A quick temp fix is to rotate the knobs back and forth about 20 times. Sometimes that helps get the dust outta the way of the contacts.
 
#13
the deals that hold the strings down on the headstock are "string trees" .you could get some black vinyl to cover the pickgaurd with, my buddy ordered a piece of copper flake looking vinyl from his brothers sign making place to put on his black strat, looks amazing. find a sign shop and ask em how much for a piece to stick on the PG, you could always take it off, if you dont like it. ahhh those old Ibies bring back the garage days memories :)
 
#14
When I modded a practically new conditioned affinity P, I use pots that were given to me, radio shack cap and jack. Although it worked, it was ugly!!! Do Not Use radio shack jacks trust me on that. I wanted the experience, and to learn about wiring, but I repeat, ugly!!!

I pulled it all out and use prewired from a ‘60s RI, with a Switchcraft jack that I got from this guy: http://cgi.ebay.com/2010-Fender-Ame...149?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2c591f4385

I also had Tom at Lindy Fralin rewire the pups, added a parchment PG, ashtray, and LaBela 760FL flats. The neck is sweet and when I compare it to the VM and CV squire, I can’t see where I missing anything. I did not change tuners or bridge because I don’t see the point. Now, would I swop the affinity body or neck for a VM, CV, or MM, if I found one cheap enough? Probably, but only because I can’t leave well enough alone. I’ve already got more money in it than it’s worth, so why not.

Check out Gotoh vs BA and then decide if it’s worth the price BA’s go for. Personally, I don’t think so:
 
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