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POLL: Do you mod your basses?
- Thread starter jg42
- Start date
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Yes!
Almost always.
To some degree.
Almost all the basses I've had needed something.
A small change here or there.
Gold hardware instead of black.
Black instead of chrome.
Abalone topped gold knobs instead of black plastic.
A better pickup.
3 band preamp instead of 2 band.
There is no"on the wall" bass that perfectly fits all my personal requirements in all aspects.
Searching for that ONE is an infinite quest.
They all are lacking in some area.
Some more than others.
That's why custom made basses are so popular.
And so expensive.
That's also why some have opted to build their own.
Almost always.
To some degree.
Almost all the basses I've had needed something.
A small change here or there.
Gold hardware instead of black.
Black instead of chrome.
Abalone topped gold knobs instead of black plastic.
A better pickup.
3 band preamp instead of 2 band.
There is no"on the wall" bass that perfectly fits all my personal requirements in all aspects.
Searching for that ONE is an infinite quest.
They all are lacking in some area.
Some more than others.
That's why custom made basses are so popular.
And so expensive.
That's also why some have opted to build their own.
Last edited:
Voted yes.
Not every instrument is modded, but at least half are.
Not every instrument is modded, but at least half are.
I'm looking at a Squier VM Jag V to serve as a backup (someday); I imagine I may swap the stock bridge, get a tort guard made, and possibly swap out the electronics. But, it's just an idea for the time being.
Yes..... Or at least direct me to the nearest mental ward.I feel I should report this post...
OK, my confession. Bought it this way. I figured it was considered DOA when I got it, so I did the humane thing and "harvested" the usable parts. I sold all of the pieces/parts to better the life of many a suffering instrument. I kinda feel heroic......... Well, except the fact that I got $75 for the metal "adapter" betwixt the 2 bodies .......... what on earth would someone want that for...
Back to the thread........ I always modify; at least to the extent of a new/different pickup, pickguard, extender, etc.
Wait! It says, "Zero Mod". Does that even count? Lol.
I bought a Warlock knock-off guitar, thinking I was going to tinker around with the electronics.
I did salvage it, new knob, new bridge, did a setup, new strings, and it was great w/o any mods to the electronics.
I loved how hot the pickups were & ended up buying the real thing.
I did salvage it, new knob, new bridge, did a setup, new strings, and it was great w/o any mods to the electronics.
I loved how hot the pickups were & ended up buying the real thing.
I am by no means a craftsman, so there is a level of "pre modification quality" VS "probable post modification quality" where I decided to take a step back. I'd cut up about any MIM Fender I get my hands on, but something like my Warwick FNA will remain "unmolested" by my terrible workmanship.
That said, I have made my own Frankenfender. It looks great from 5+ feet away, but upon close inspection it's a bit of a hack-job. Don't ask my why I decided to sand out the nut slot to fit the Graphtech nut...and don't look at it...
That said, I have made my own Frankenfender. It looks great from 5+ feet away, but upon close inspection it's a bit of a hack-job. Don't ask my why I decided to sand out the nut slot to fit the Graphtech nut...and don't look at it...
Attachments
I don´t . Don´t know why.
Been thinking about that lately.
I d like to try a sadowsky pre and Fralin on my Lull.
But ends there
Been thinking about that lately.
I d like to try a sadowsky pre and Fralin on my Lull.
But ends there
No bass is up to snuff, it's what the maker sells you that makes him a profit. When you fork over $35,000 for a Anthony Jackson Fodera, what you are paying for is a bass that Fodera makes anyway. Anthony Jackson said, "This is 'sweet', but here is where it can be sweeter and I'll put my name to it if you just make these changes". Simple business transaction, son. Someone else presents Anthony with a better deal, he'll change like anybody else. Geddy's bass, Billy's bass, Victor's bass, Geezer's bass, Marcus's bass, all were tweaked to their liking. Just business.
Please don't tell FMIC ......... Not due out until 2021 .............Is that the new Jazzcaster?
I used to mod everything but generally ended up selling it and losing heaps of cash.
These days, just decorative changes like pickguards, screws occasionally a bridge cover or similar.
These days, just decorative changes like pickguards, screws occasionally a bridge cover or similar.
I used to not mod a lot of stuff because I planned on selling it and never held onto stuff for more than six months. However I did buy lots of project instruments that I technically modified but, at the time, I considered it getting the instrument up and running.
I don't think any factory instrument is perfect out the door. They're made in such a way where they'll please the most amount of people. So I grab a bass that ticks all the boxes for playability and then go to town since I'd have a hard time finding what I want from a catalogue.
Now I haven't really had GAS for a long time (or at least it seems that way) and I've modded stuff to get it to play better because I don't have much of an interest in acquiring more instruments.
The first thing I usually do is upgrade and shield the electronics. I might replace the pickup even if it's just to try something new. I usually replace the knobs with deeper knurling so I can get a better grip.
Then it's replacing the bridge (killed and have had too many issues with the standard bent plate) and maybe tossing in a preamp. From there I might add additional pickups or replace the tuners etc.
I don't think any factory instrument is perfect out the door. They're made in such a way where they'll please the most amount of people. So I grab a bass that ticks all the boxes for playability and then go to town since I'd have a hard time finding what I want from a catalogue.
Now I haven't really had GAS for a long time (or at least it seems that way) and I've modded stuff to get it to play better because I don't have much of an interest in acquiring more instruments.
The first thing I usually do is upgrade and shield the electronics. I might replace the pickup even if it's just to try something new. I usually replace the knobs with deeper knurling so I can get a better grip.
Then it's replacing the bridge (killed and have had too many issues with the standard bent plate) and maybe tossing in a preamp. From there I might add additional pickups or replace the tuners etc.
