The Problem Child

[jamro217]

One thing that gets overlooked with bolt on necks when hunting for lifeless tone issues is this: Are the neck screws tightened enough?

 

[jamro217]

My first bass had every part replaced other than the body and pickguard and I still didn't like it. Turns out, the problem was my lack of joy with a P bass.

Many years later, I've come to terms with the P and understand it better. But I did learn that sometimes, you can change everything and still not be happy. So I've gotten quite good at letting things go for that reason. If it isn't jiving with me, it's gotta go! There's too many other basses out there to try and get for me to sit on something I never play.

The other part to that puzzle is when you're replacing virtually the whole thing, which of the parts work best together. You may have a combination of new and used parts that click. Or you could end up with firewood.

 

[felis]

Your sample size of one is pretty small to draw any conclusions about anything. I find it interesting that you don't want to "badmouth the bass or company," when you "may have just gotten a bad one," and yet you will say something somewhat negative about the country of origin.

I support you hope that the problem child is rehabilitated. I will accept a lot, but I would not have kept that bass.

Yes - a grossly unfair generalization.
Probably caused by frustration with what turned out to be nothing more than teething problems with a new bass.

Also, a hasty judgement calling this bass a problem child.
Now that the kinks are worked out of it, and I've spent some quality time with it,
it's quickly becoming one of my favorites.