Show me your unmodded basses.

[Swerve]

Most of us on this forum like to tinker with our basses and swap out or add parts, but I'd like to start a thread of folks showing their basses that have no modifications.

Rules:

1. Must be all original.
2. Changing strings doesn't count as a mod.
3. Replacing a broken or missing part isn't a mod either, ie broken tuner, nut, dead pots, missing screws, etc.
4. A sticker or two is fine, but nothing bombed out.
5. Changing pickguards counts as a mod.

Let's see em!

 

[Jeff Scott]

Most of us on this forum like to tinker with our basses and swap out or add parts, but I'd like to start a thread of folks showing their basses that have no modifications.

Rules:

1. Must be all original.
2. Changing strings doesn't count as a mod.
3. Replacing a broken or missing part isn't a mod either, ie broken tuner, nut, dead pots, missing screws, etc.
4. A sticker or two is fine, but nothing bombed out.
5. Changing pickguards counts as a mod.

Let's see em!

Where's yours?

 

[tb-player]

This is my only unmodded guitar. My P bass and my two electrics (strat & tele) all got upgraded with Lollar pickups and wiring harnesses. This passive Mike Lull V4 has spectacular Lull-wound pickups. It is perfect as-is.

 

[Swerve]

Where's yours?

Ha, fair enough!

I've only got two. Not the best pics but top is a Reverend Mercalli 4 in Gunmetal Gray. Bottom is a 2020 Player P.

 

[jd56hawk]

 

[Killing Floor]

Still rockin’ the original mute pads too.

 

[Swerve]

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SpongeMod SquarePants!

I kid! Those are great. Love seeing an unmodded Squier.

 

[StevieMac]

Are you considering strap lock buttons a mod?

 

[Jeff Scott]

I have usually done some kind of mod or other to most of my instruments over the past 50+ years (some, rather significant).

However I do have a few with no mods (other than a replaced selector switch on the 4004L).

'13 Rickenbacker 4004L Snowglo (the Jetglo 4004L SPC was also stock at the time of making this photograph):

'10 Martin Keith fretless Elfin 5 (2010 NAMM Show - there is a review of it in the June 2010 Bass Player):

'11 Martin Keith Elfin 5:

1978 Guild B-301:

 

[Swerve]

Are you considering strap lock buttons a mod?

Ah, weird gray area. But yeah if you changed out the button 'tis a mod.

 

[jd56hawk]

SpongeMod SquarePants!

I kid! Those are great. Love seeing an unmodded Squier.

Bought it three years ago on Reverb, still had the film on the pickguard and control panel.
$500 all told and worth every penny.
Had a set of Lace Sensor Man O' War jazz pickups set aside, but decided to keep it stock because it sound so good with the D'Addario black tapewounds.

 

[Swerve]

Bought it three years ago on Reverb, still had the film on the pickguard and control panel.
$500 all told and worth every penny.
Had a set of Lace Sensor Man O' War jazz pickups set aside, but decided to keep it stock because it sound so good with the D'Addario black tapewounds.

Similar story to my Player P. Had plans to change the pickups and bridge but it sounded and felt so good I didn't want to mess with it. I even tried changing to a tort pickguard but after a few days something felt off so the white one went back on. Decided this time to leave well enough alone.

 

[Azari]

2024 Aria SB-1000

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

---

My new Dean AXS 34" yesterday, before I took my nippers to the frets today---was un-modded, for a day.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Ah, weird gray area. But yeah if you changed out the button 'tis a mod.

I don't know, it's your thread, but I wouldn't consider a replaced to different strap buttons a mod really, personally.

Now, this:

To this:

Yes, it's a mod.

 

[Jeff Scott]

This was the last iteration of that bass (I installed an early '60s (re-built) magnetic horseshoe pickup in it.

 

[Hot Rats]

 

[anightintunisia]

My ‘65L. I’m the second owner. All original, minus new frets and nut. I have the original flatwound strings in the case.

 

[mikeswals]

My 65 & 64 Jazzes are factory original: og finishes, og frets, og chrome covers and cases are all there too

 

[MovingPitchers]

2017 Fender MIM Standard Precision Bass. All stock. Strings are TI Jazz Flats.

2019 Fender Player Jazz Bass. Strings are: Fender roundwounds.

Modding them is unnecessary as they sound absolutely fantastic as they are. Leaves me to wonder why I even bothered changing the pickup on my main Precision Bass…