Whatever that bass in particular has or is lacking that is making you not entirely love it. The secret is learning to find out what it is in each case before starting with a default upgrade routine.
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Single best upgrade on a bass? (Poll)
- Thread starter timendous
- Start date
Not sure what is "best", but for my needs, ultralight tuners have been a game changing improvement on certain basses. There have been a few instruments I loved, but they suffered from neck dive and were a bit too heavy. Swapping to ultralights changed them from basses I'd leave home, to primary giggers.
But in general, I'd say strings and pickups are the most noticeable. I've swapped a lot of bridges and don't hear much difference. Though a heavy bridge can help with balance for sure.
Taking it to a luthier for pro set up to make sure it plays the absolute best it can play based on your taste. Don’t scrimp. Plek treatment if needed, pick up adjustments, proper relief and zero neck bow, string hight, a fresh set of strings with the nut cut to size.
Once you get this don’t, later on it will will be worth it to replace whatever else you have a mind to. JMO.
If you want to "upgrade" something, then something needs to be not working for you. Otherwise, you're randomly changing parts, which has a VERY low return. If I bought a bass, I'd play it first, and IF it need something changed, I'd figure out what was lacking. There is no statement like "new ___" is the best bang for your buck - anyone that says that isn't thinking things through, or assessing the situation before taking action - they're giving advice that isn't worth anything.
I voted strings, but this bass started out as a 1973 Jazz Bass . it contains none of its original parts.
To me tuners and bridge are costly and pointless unless there is a specific problem with the originals
I voted "strings" because there are so many differences in types.
I don't consider having correct strings an upgrade.
For a true upgrade--- good tuners on a cheaper instrument are an appreciated improvement.
Good tuners on a quality built instrument is not necessary.
I don't consider having correct strings an upgrade.
For a true upgrade--- good tuners on a cheaper instrument are an appreciated improvement.
Good tuners on a quality built instrument is not necessary.
My exact choice is not on the list, piezo bridge/pickup. My violin style bass ukes come with a floating wood bridge with a poorly designed piezo pickup assembly, and only partially adjustable intonation. I've had them replaced by Eric's Guitar in Sound City, Van Nuys, CA on five of those bass ukes with an all metal, fully adjustable bridge with four individual piezo saddles, made in Korea and bought on eBay from Thompson Thrift. Adds some weight, but gives me full control of the intonation. Second to that are the strings, went from the poly bass uke strings that get too sticky or difficult to to string up, to flatwound nylon core. Third to that are the low level tuning machines, replaced with good quality Gotoh.
All good options, I voted strings, because it's a simple and usually cost effective way (IMO) to immediately impact the sound, other than going from pick to fingers. I also recently pickups and preamps upgrades, having a mids knobs accessible on the instrument is a very valuable option.
It depends entirely on what the bass needs to maximize its potential.
In general, the best first upgrade is a good setup - then you can assess the rest.
In general, the best first upgrade is a good setup - then you can assess the rest.
That would be my vote as well; perform a good setup.
If we have a good bass to begin with we already know what strings we like............then we should be all set and good to go.
IMHO.....none of the above.
IMHO.....none of the above.
Depends on the bass. Some may need more than others. They all need the right string found that brings out the best aspects of them so I voted strings
Practice is the best way to upgrade the player, not the bass.
Voted strings, but if the bass is fretted and listed for > $2000 or so, I’d suggest getting it PLEK’ed, unless it was part of the manufacture already. You should be able to get a diagnostic readout for about $150-$180, and that will show you what you’re dealing with, and around here, they want around $350 or so depending on the extent of the fretwork.
The best upgrade is having the experience to be able to identify what it is about an instrument you like or dislike.
A change is only an “upgrade” if it solves a problem with the instrument.
…assuming there’s even a problem that needs solving to begin with.
A change is only an “upgrade” if it solves a problem with the instrument.
…assuming there’s even a problem that needs solving to begin with.
Voted "other". IMO the only (sometimes) necessary upgrade is a proper shielding job.
