Single best upgrade on a bass? (Poll)

[timendous]

I was just wondering what y'all in general would consider to be the "best" (certainly a relative, subjective term) upgrade for a bass. I understand that different basses would probably benefit from different upgrades but if you're looking to tinker with a bass you "like" but want to "love" then where do you personally start? Pickups? Tuners? Bridge? New neck? Pots and wiring? Preamp? Strings?

I'm interested to see differing thoughts and opinions, not looking to crown a champion. Let's go!

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Practice

 

[Kaa]

Practice

This is honestly the best option.

For an actual hardware thing, my thought process is always "Does it stay in tune?" as the #1. If the answer is "No.", then tuners are first. If that answer is yes, then I go with "How does it sound?". At that point, you need to prioritize your money. The least expensive way to vary the sound of a bass is probably string-rolling until you are happy.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Practice is always a good thing.

But for me and my arthritic hands, a close 2nd was a neck change on my #1 got my vote.

 

[Matthew_84]

 

[HelpImaRock]

First and best are not the same thing.

I change the strings first if I don't like what came stock. Which is highly likely, as I prefer flatwounds. Unless something is broken, I'll give the instrument time to settle before making any other changes. As an example, the tuners on one bass aren't the highest quality. But they work well, so there's no reason to change them now. IMO, feel is first, so the right strings can make all the difference.

If you're still not achieving what you want, I'd look at technique first, and then the other gear you're using. Once you've gone through the signal chain, if you're not getting the sound you want, the only other change to really make is the pickup(s). Strings will impart their own tonal signature, but it's really the pickup (and preamp if you have one) that determines the sound going to the amp. Different pickups have different sonic signatures, so I like to play an instrument for at least a year before changing anything (again, supposing nothing is broken).

Personally, I like passive basses with an outboard preamp. But there's no rules. Just find what you like.

 

[beatdatthang]

I always put strap locks on first thing unless it already has them. Other than that, it completely depends on the bass itself what “upgrades” I feel are necessary. Some of my basses have no other changes. Some have lots.

I typically like to put a Detuner on my 4 string basses (although not all get it because it can get expensive so only ones I typically gig) so that’s the second “upgrade” that normally happens.

 

[timendous]

Loving the responses!

I just wanted to clarify that this isn't a particular issue that I'm struggling with and trying to find what to do. This isn't one of the "I don't sound good playing bass so what can I do besides time and practice to sound better" threads

Being that there are so many threads and discussions about aftermarket parts and upgrades, etc. I was just curious what people would say makes the most difference to them.

 

[Warpeg]

Practice

Yep. You can close the thread now.

 

[musicman556]

So... I view strings as a consumable item and not really an "upgrade." Yes, they make a huge difference, and I've spent over $100 on a single set of strings in the hunt for what works best with a particular bass. (The fancy strings ended up NOT being what I hoped in this case, and now that 5 string wears a $40 set of strings that absolutely rock, but I digress.) I do want to try those Dogal Hellborg strings on a bass, though. My Fender American Performer is wearing TI Jazz flats right now and I like them, but I'm thinking about trying the Hellborgs on there to see what the fuss is all about.

For me the best upgrade I've made on my basses would be pickups. This about going after a sound I want. I put the Dimarzio Relentless set in the MIM Player P on the left, and put the Dimarzio Split Rail P in the build on the right. I guess the pickup in the build isn't technically an "upgrade" since nothing was there before, but I've had enough P basses to know generally what a standard P pickup would sound like, and that I wanted something with more punch, and NOT a vintage P tonal-profile. The Split Rail pickup is AWESOME!

Like @beatdatthang I have also added de-tuners to a few 4 strings and that has been great.

I have swapped bridges out (replacing the basic Fender bent steel plate with high-mass bridges from HipShot and Fender) on a few basses and I have to be honest, I didn't really notice much of difference in sound or sustain. But they look way hekkin' cooler, and honestly that was worth the expense for me, lol!

 

[Turnaround]

What's better - a cabbage or a pogo stick? I guess it depends on what you want to accomplish.

 

[JRA]

I'm interested to see differing thoughts and opinions

i voted "new neck."
- it's the part that you actually 'play'.
- the neck is the part that speeds you up or slows you down.
- if the neck suits your comfort ('feel good') requirement(s) = you play better.
- the neck is probably the first consideration in the "ergonomics" assessment.
- "new neck" can mean that you have your old neck modified (thickness, width, radius, fb edges, etc.).

IMO, lots of folks acquire an instrument and later complain that "it wasn't for me" only because the ax didn't 'feel good' to play. while other attributes/issues might be in play, the neck is often at the center of it all --- whether the player is aware or not.

What's better - a cabbage or a pogo stick?

i vote "cabbage," but either one might be a good tell on my age!

 

[Pings Bass]

A decent set up followed by many hours of practice

 

[Tom Bomb]

Get a better bass​

 

[J Posega]

Where I start: strings.

What's best: E V E R Y T H I N G

Some basses are good stock, others are mod platforms where the only original part remaining is the body once I'm done.

A go-to upgrade for a lot of instruments is a new bridge. I don't care about high-mass, but I like quick-release so I can audition different strings. If the bass neck dives, then light tuners are next on the list.

 

[musicman556]

i voted "new neck."
- it's the part that you actually 'play'.
- the neck is the part that speeds you up or slows you down.
- if the neck suits your comfort ('feel good') requirement(s) = you play better.
- the neck is probably the first consideration in the "ergonomics" assessment.
- "new neck" can mean that you have your old neck modified (thickness, width, radius, fb edges, etc.).

IMO, lots of folks acquire an instrument and later complain that "it wasn't for me" only because the ax didn't 'feel good' to play. while other attributes/issues might be in play, the neck is often at the center of it all --- whether the player is aware or not.

This is a good point. The other side of this coin, for me, is that I won't buy a bass with a neck that I don't like.

The only time I've ever swapped a neck is to go fretless. I bought a Mighty Mite fretless P neck on a crazy good clearance sale a few years ago, and then kept my eye out for a sale on a loaded body or a bass that would work with it. Musicians Friend ran a sale on a basic Squier PJ for $99 and I jumped on that. I ended up with a pretty nice, brand new fretless bass for about $160!

Hm... as I think about this idea, I remember now that many folks like to put J necks on P bodies. Definitely an upgrade for lots of folks! I am a weirdo and prefer P necks, so I sometimes put P necks on J bodies, but that's as a build, not a swap.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Tort

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I start with the strings 1st. Then PU's, PG, bridge, tuners, neck, and then finally the body.

 

[pepj]

Always set up New bass incoming with new strings so I have a reference point.
Then I go through hardware ..assuming its a straight swap on things like bridge and tuners.
This is where many cheap out imv.

I test the pickups in passive mode to decide which is first, that or pre, but really if you have to do all this, I'm not sure you've chosen well. So I do spend time here.
I did all that for a CS bar pickups..which tells you lot about CS, imv.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I said strings but even before that would be either doing or investing in a good setup.