trivial upgrades, big results --- post yours

[fretster]

Lots of discussion lately on stuff that seems like minutia: bridges, frets, strings, oxygen-free copper cable, etc. Some not so trivial, like pickups and preamps, necks, or even changing the finish. And not to forget, clay dots. To hear some people talk about it, they spend $10 on a little mod and the bass now sounds twice as good. Or more.

I'd like to know: what one mod have you done to a bass that truly made an awesome difference and is it now twice the bass it was before?

 

[theophilus762]

strap locks.

the peace of mind is worth it.

 

[Trevorus]

Good potentiometers, and a good capacitor.

 

[DanielleMuscato]

Are we just talking tone, or anything?

+1 to strap locks

Tone-wise... "frowny face" EQ curve (bump up mids, ease off highs & lows) is one. Very low action is a big part of my tone. Growing out my right-hand nails a la classical/flamenco guitar is one. Monster 500 Bass cables is one. I'll post more if I think of them.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Radiused playing ramps. Got my first ones just about 3 years ago now, and now I put them on every bass I get. Completely changed my playing style- they're the best investment I've gotten technique-wise. Cost just $50 for my first one.

 

[meev992]

Villex booster, hands down.

 

[ROON]

Nylon picks.

 

[king_biscuit]

Finding the right strings for a particular bass is a wonderful upgrade.

 

[Beav]

A super heavy gauge string and a huge mid bump around 400Hz.

 

[steamthief]

Reverend P pickup for my Squier, $18 shipped new. Hello tone, goodbye mud!

 

[lowbass68]

Lots of discussion lately on stuff that seems like minutia: bridges, frets, strings, oxygen-free copper cable, etc. Some not so trivial, like pickups and preamps, necks, or even changing the finish. And not to forget, clay dots. To hear some people talk about it, they spend $10 on a little mod and the bass now sounds twice as good. Or more.

I'd like to know: what one mod have you done to a bass that truly made an awesome difference and is it now twice the bass it was before?

1. Strap locks (no effect on sound)

2. Roller string tree for headstock (helps tuning be stable)

3. Shielding tape or shielding paint for the control cavity (cuts hiss)

4. And most important a GOOD quality cord to connect the bass to the amp. A bad cord can suck the life out the bass. Really cheap cords can be slightly microphonic.

 

[B.C.]

4. And most important a GOOD quality cord to connect the bass to the amp. A bad cord can suck the life out the bass. Really cheap cords can be slightly microphonic.

+1, a decent cable goes a long way.

For me, learning to EQ an amp.

 

[ack]

Finding the right strings for a particular bass is a wonderful upgrade.

Amen

 

[bass_fish]

adding a S1 switch to my jazz... wow super usefull!

 

[vindy500]

plugged in a cable, wow what a difference.

 

[jasper383]

Understanding pickup height, and how it affects getting the sound you want. Free!

 

[derelicte]

metallica decal. best investment ever.

that and buying a set of strings that feel great and has nice tone.

and new batteries

 

[Tom Howland]

For a PJ pickup setup.

Using a 50's style P-pickup, in the bridge position.
Instead of a jazz pickup.

It matches, the split-P-pickup, muck better than the jazz.
Resulting in a much better tone. ( more balance between pickups)

Also, finding the right strings, for the right bass.
All strings do not work on all basses.

 

[RED5]

A bone nut on my MIM Jazz. Immediate change. Strap locks, peace of mind.

 

[Blues Bass 2]

Audere preamp in an SX Jazz 5.It had a good sound before the preamp but was a tone monster after the pre was in.