I recently picked up a fretless samick 4 string for $120. Should've gotten it cheaper but the seller was 17 and he met me at my rehearsal area so I could play it on my rig so I didn't haggle too much. Anyways, I noticed a few things electronically that need to be taken care of. Scratchy pots, fuzzy pups, and an input jack that decides when its going to work. I've decided on the Benny pj set for pups and that takes care of the electronics as a whole for about 175. I was thinking about changing the bridge and the nut as well. My question is, am I going the right route? Wasting money/time? Any advice on certain bridges to stay away from?
Fixing what's broken isn't a waste but after that is done, if everything works and it's set up nicely with good strings, what more does it really need?
congratulations! IMO: you can spend what you need to spend in order to make the instrument play like you want. if you feel like you're starting with a good 'platform', it's the end result that counts.
TBH this will be my first endeavor into setting up my first bass. I like its action and when the Jack works, its sound. Actually prefer it over my schecter with the EMGhz pups.
Zombie thread! BBRRRRAAAAAAIIIIINNNNSSSSSSSSS.... Hey, @Chris76 : how did this bass turn out for you? I need a favor: If you still have the bass, can you take a picture of the output jack for me? I have a student with a fretted version of this bass, and the output jack, which seems to be unique, has failed... I am hoping to find the right part and order and install it. Did you find a model number for this bass as well? I was unable to do so.
Unfortunately for you I went to a different setup. Pulled out all of the electronics and put a Geezer Butler P/J solderless set in it. Came with all the necessities. The pups cost me about 100. Everything fit nicely. Right now the bass is in pieces again because my guitarist is airbrushing it for me. I won't know what design he put on it till it's finished but he's one hell of an artist so I'm certain that I'll be satisfied.
No worries. Turns out that the part I was asking about was aftermarket after all and the photo wouldn't have helped. Good luck with the bass design!