Should I mod my 70s Tele Bass Copy?

[deepvibration]

I got a tele bass copy. I LOVE the tone but instead off dishing out more money on a new bass, Id like to expand my sound and mod my own.

Notice the string through bridge design. Should I change that to original String through Body? There doesnt seem to be any plugging on the back (which to my conclusion makes it a copy)

The electronics are all original including the original Seth Lover, 1 meg pots.

The pickguard was hand carved and you can tell that the holes where the chrome cover goes were not plugged right.

I would like to add a pickup that would give me a little more punch but not twang or high brightness. I tried a Squire VM Jazz with flats and liked the tone but I didnt like the youtube demo of the Squier Tele bass special with the J pup at the bridge. Maybe cause of the strings. What about another original seth lover at the bridge like the modern player?

Any Suggestions? A 51 pup in the middle? a Split coil?

more pics

I just love checking out this forum all the time sooo much bassy goodness. Thank You fellow TBers.

 

[SirMjac28]

Why do you think that's a string through design? looks like just a five screw bridge? I would think about just getting that pickup rewound to make it hotter it looks like a nice project.

 

[deepvibration]

Maybe I got my terminology wrong. The bridge is the classic one but I was just pointing out that the strings don not go through the body as there are no holes on the back.

I didnt want to touch the original seth lover pickup. I was thinking of adding a pup in the middle. Any suggestions? Someone in the electronic forum suggested a P-bass pup because it was a humbucker. What about a split coil 51 P pup? what about another set lover at the bridge?

 

[Avezzano]

"should I..."

I would not alter that beautiful bass at all! Just a deep cleaning, setup and maybe frets re dressing if it needs it...

 

[Ronbeast]

To me, that is almost a perfect bass. I would: Clean it, get it setup or do my own setup, new strings, and perhaps see if any of the hardware is in need of repair. Then I would play the crap out of it.

Realistically, if you modify the bass, you will be putting in as much money as it would cost to get a completely different bass. I would keep this bass the way it is and just buy something else to go along with it, and this is coming from a guy who doesn't own a single completely stock bass.

 

[fenderslaper]

I did a scpb in mine. And that is the correct bridge.

 

[RED J]

A copy, but has an original Lover and 3 screw Fender neck plate, skunk stripe so thats not original, guess its a copy with some authentic Fender parts, then ?

 

[fenderslaper]

Does it have the bullit trussrod at the headstock?

 

[InternetAlias]

Dat finish! As much as I hate mudbucker-only basses, that finish is killer and you can seriously compromise it by drilling for another pickup. If I were you I'd drill for P and J pickups, but only because I can't stand the mudbucker tone, if you already like the tone, don't touch it

 

[deepvibration]

Its got a jazz neck on it.

 

[deepvibration]

Thanks y'all for the comments and the suggests. Ill just give it a proper setup and save up for a P or J bass. thanks

 

[godofthunder59]

That bass is seriously cool! Lots of nice parts. If it were mine I'd put a P pup in the middle "sweet spot" or stick a J pup near the bridge. Yeah I'm think'n Precision pup the more I think about it.

 

[godofthunder59]

As posted above a '51 single coil would also be killer.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Clean, setup, keep stock, buy another.