If it were a cheapo, & someone put on tuners that stayed put, had the nut filed correctly, put nice pu's in, dressed the frets, added good pots & a Switchcraft jack, & it was set up nicely w/ fresh strings? I'd pay an extra $50 for their trouble.
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What mods “add value” to you ?
- Thread starter Dark Horse
- Start date
Any mod I was going to do myself would add value to a used bass I wanted to buy. IMO too many people approach the purchase of a bass as a major confrontation they must win. Terrified of paying more than they could have they tend to ignore the value of the bass to themselves and instead think of the value of the bass to strangers on the internet.
Some things I would pay more for, Hipshot tuners, a refinish in a color I prefer.
Some things I would pay more for, Hipshot tuners, a refinish in a color I prefer.
Properly installed strap-locks (don't care if it's Dunlop or Schaller).
The ONLY way I would actually pay more for a mod is if it is the exact modification that I would want to make.
Why would I pay for a modification someone else made that I would have to reverse? That makes no sense. At this point, I have VERY specific preferences. Nope, not paying someone else for an elective mod they chose to make, which doesn't line up with my intentions for the instrument.
Why would I pay for a modification someone else made that I would have to reverse? That makes no sense. At this point, I have VERY specific preferences. Nope, not paying someone else for an elective mod they chose to make, which doesn't line up with my intentions for the instrument.
Bad ass bridges on fenders because they are getting harder to come by. People argue about how it impacts sound but personally I think it looks great. Lol.
If the bass has electronics that I probably would have put in the bass myself. For example, the Warwick thumb NT6 I owned had Delano pickups and an Audere pre. Pretty high end stuff.
Lately I've become a fan of hipshot tuners so that would be plus for me also.
Right now I own four basses.
Stock other than strings and one or two cosmetic mods.
No need for mods when you buy right.
Other than that, don't mods make it harder to sell than keeping it original, despite the misconception so many people have?
Stock other than strings and one or two cosmetic mods.
No need for mods when you buy right.
Other than that, don't mods make it harder to sell than keeping it original, despite the misconception so many people have?
I think mods add value for the guy who does his own work and has his own reasons for putting the time and money in.
Recouping even the cost of the parts when selling a used bass is tough.
A lot of mods I've seen were "lipstick on a pig". Or worse.
Paying a tech to put in mods is a money pit.
As far as mods I'll do myself, I get a huge kick out of Luminlay side dots. Costs less than a set of strings. Love the glowing dots.
Recouping even the cost of the parts when selling a used bass is tough.
A lot of mods I've seen were "lipstick on a pig". Or worse.
Paying a tech to put in mods is a money pit.
As far as mods I'll do myself, I get a huge kick out of Luminlay side dots. Costs less than a set of strings. Love the glowing dots.
- Jun 13, 2002
- 611
- 301
- Disclosures
- Branden Campbell
Sometimes I've found cheap import basses that play great. If that's the case, I'd leave it be. But if you have a bass that feels like it's missing something, I do the following: (this applies to Fender / Fender style P or J basses)
- My numero uno mod is the Babicz Full Contact bridge. It's a direct drop-in for the five-screw Fender bridges. I've brought many a dead basses back to life by adding this bridge. Adds sustain and depth like a string-thru would.
- Hanson (Lakland) Neo-Punch pickups. These have a huge output, and put a little hair on the tone. It's almost like adding some compression or boost w/o a pedal.
- I'm a big fan of the Dunlop straplocks. I add them to everything. Best reason is you can still use a plain strap in case you forgot your strap with the locks on it.
- Upgrading the nut is often helpful
- Finally, I like adding a thumbrest (on the 70's thumb side). If I really don't want to drill new holes, I'll just use one of the pickguard screw holes, with the longer screw that comes with the rest.
In most cheap basses, pickups and strings and set up make the most difference.
As to what people will pay for (looks) always looks.
As to what people will pay for (looks) always looks.
If the bass comes with the original parts (pickups, bridge, whatever), then it becomes win-win for me.
I'll play it for a bit with the mods and see if I like it. If so, we're good.
If I get curious, I'll try re-installing the original parts to see what that feels/sounds like.
Either way, having the original parts post-mod is a definite plus for me.
I'll play it for a bit with the mods and see if I like it. If so, we're good.
If I get curious, I'll try re-installing the original parts to see what that feels/sounds like.
Either way, having the original parts post-mod is a definite plus for me.
I build all my basses from used parts, so I am in favor of any mod that results in a part that I want becoming available on the market.
Nordstrand pickups. East preamp. I will pay a premium - or at least not demerit an instrument - if equipped with these items.
Yep. For example, if I had a chance to buy a good used MIM P for $300, I'd probably spring another $50-$75 if it was Fralin or Lollar equipped. That's just because it's what I would have thrown in it anyway. A run of the mill GZR or Duncan, not so much. I'd place them at or even below stock value in my consideration. Bridge upgrades mean nothing to me and could even mean a big negative if it's something like a BAII or other high mass contraption I have no interest in because it's more time and $$ on my end undoing it. I don't consider preamps as a value added upgrade when making a purchase. All just my personal persepective.
I wouldn't pay extra necessarily, but I wouldn't mind any mod that I would do anyway.
ultralites
dunlop straplocks
tusq or brass nut
high mass bridge*
name brand pickups, I realize this is subjective even to me
big deal to me if a used bass listing includes what strings are on it. Don't even have to be new just known.
*If a bridge has holes for string through and the bass has been modded (properly) to use these and the proper ferrules, I would consider paying more than the market value for the instrument, but not massively.
ultralites
dunlop straplocks
tusq or brass nut
high mass bridge*
name brand pickups, I realize this is subjective even to me
big deal to me if a used bass listing includes what strings are on it. Don't even have to be new just known.
*If a bridge has holes for string through and the bass has been modded (properly) to use these and the proper ferrules, I would consider paying more than the market value for the instrument, but not massively.
I think it's a good question!
Despite the fact that I've modded pretty much every bass I own to some degree (I'm counting straplocks here) I'm usually adverse to something being sold that touts its mods. They are awfully personal, aren't they? I'd rather have a stock instrument and do what I prefer.
I wouldn't turn down a Detuner or an extra pickguard as long as the originals were included.
Despite the fact that I've modded pretty much every bass I own to some degree (I'm counting straplocks here) I'm usually adverse to something being sold that touts its mods. They are awfully personal, aren't they? I'd rather have a stock instrument and do what I prefer.
I wouldn't turn down a Detuner or an extra pickguard as long as the originals were included.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I don't care krap about resale … I care what makes it a better player
Adding a 5th string adds value for me
http://www.3dentourage.com/425/425.htm
http://www.3dentourage.com/425/425-Ric.htm
Adding a 5th string adds value for me
http://www.3dentourage.com/425/425.htm
http://www.3dentourage.com/425/425-Ric.htm
I've replaced the pickup in one of my basses, and replaced the bridge in the P-Bass in my profile picture (it already had an upgraded pickup). The bridge didn't necessarily result in any noticeable tonal changes (to my ear, at least), but the bridge I picked (a Hipshot Kickass) was super easy to work with when I need to make adjustments. Because of the upgraded pickup that is in my current P-Bass, I will definitely be switching out any stock pickups (split-coil or Jazz) to Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounders on future basses. The QP in my P-Bass sounds killer. It's by far my favorite upgrade, though I wasn't the one who did it.
I've noticed almost everyone considers their modifications as upgrades. Tuners I generally regard as upgrade, especially quality light weight ones. Otherwise, eye of the beholder IMO. My 'upgrade' could be your side step or downgrade.
Given that GAS is real for me, I usually now keep stock parts to avoid the loss as mods usually dont bring increased value in my experience.
Given that GAS is real for me, I usually now keep stock parts to avoid the loss as mods usually dont bring increased value in my experience.
And some folks are just downright fearful of anything being changed as if soldering and bolt on instruments are complicated things to work on and change parts. My soldering skills are not on point with Fender CS but I dont think I am much worse than the folks overseas.
