Stays in tune like a mother fricker. The plastic one was broke so why not.
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Stays in tune like a mother fricker. The plastic one was broke so why not.
- Playability/Ergonomics
- Sound
- Looks
I tend to be entirely uninterested in a bass if the ergonomics aren't there. That's why I gravitated to Fender Jazz style basses early with my Warmoth, then to an MTD Kingston after trying one at a shop and just falling in love with the neck and weight and balance.
Once the physicality is sorted, I'm an electronics tinkerer until I get the sound I want. That and my physics degree explains my high participation in the Pickups and Electronics forum here.
I tend to tinker on the electronics for a short while then settle for the life of the instrument.
GAS and Mods-wise, I just did the math!
On average, a preamp will live in one of my basses for 7 years.
On average, a pickup set will live in one of my basses for 6.5 years.
I have only ever owned 5 basses, 3 of which I still own. (fretted, fretless, acoustic)
I'm not as bad as I thought I was!
As someone who has altered and customized more basses over the years than I care to recall, here is how I handle modifications now...I buy an off the shelf Music Man and I'm done with it. At some point enough is enough.
Ya, those '62 pick ups will make most blah basses sound great.
1. It has to play well (no fret buzz with fairly low action).
2. Decent ergonomics.
3. Can get my (vintagey) sound.
4. Doesn't look like crap.
Guess I'm pretty easy to please.........
2. Decent ergonomics.
3. Can get my (vintagey) sound.
4. Doesn't look like crap.
Guess I'm pretty easy to please.........
Graphite is inherently slippery (it's a primary ingredient in a number of off-the-shelf lubricants), so a nut infused with it won't create as much drag on your strings while adjusting the tuning. Some people, myself included, will doodle a little pencil lead into the nut slots to get similar results. Fun, related fact…most pencils don't use lead anymore. Instead, they use…drumroll please…GRAPHITE!
I think there's something to modding a standard production bass to make it a little more original.
I did a mixture of cosmetic and electronic mods on a $300 bass to make it more 'mine' and am happy with the result. On my other bass, I've made some adjustments for playability and intonation (not that these would be considered mods), and I made a tiny, easily reversible mod to raise some of the pickup pole pieces, and I dulled the gloss off the back of the neck (that probably does qualify as a mod).
It's all about optimizing an instrument for playability, tone, and aesthetics. Some basses may invite more tinkering than others. Plus (assuming things don't go awry!), it can be pretty fun.
I did a mixture of cosmetic and electronic mods on a $300 bass to make it more 'mine' and am happy with the result. On my other bass, I've made some adjustments for playability and intonation (not that these would be considered mods), and I made a tiny, easily reversible mod to raise some of the pickup pole pieces, and I dulled the gloss off the back of the neck (that probably does qualify as a mod).
It's all about optimizing an instrument for playability, tone, and aesthetics. Some basses may invite more tinkering than others. Plus (assuming things don't go awry!), it can be pretty fun.
"Tastefulness" and "restraint" are just as important tools as "creativity" and "imagination"!
That, sir, is very quotable. I might have to steal that one from you.
When it can walk to the refrigerator and beer me without being asked.
That, sir, is very quotable. I might have to steal that one from you.
By all means, go right ahead!
All I ask is for credit to be given when it's due, like any proper reporter or author would. If so, I'll give your avatar an apple!…to make it a little more "YOU", perhaps?
Generally, I try to buy for playability and looks, and mod for tone. My "good enough" point is the tonal ballpark I'm aiming for, where I can get it the rest of the way using technique changes. Usually different strings is all it takes, but I'd swap out a pickup and electronics if necessary. I don't obsess over the details that I have found to be less significant (e.g. bridge ime has a negligible impact on tone).
But looking at the entire process of my gear buying and modding, I tended to gravitate towards simplicity. To me, good enough went from "what can I add or upgrade to make it better" to "what can I remove or simplify to eliminate what is unnecessary and distracting". Right now, I'm quite happy with a P-bass
But looking at the entire process of my gear buying and modding, I tended to gravitate towards simplicity. To me, good enough went from "what can I add or upgrade to make it better" to "what can I remove or simplify to eliminate what is unnecessary and distracting". Right now, I'm quite happy with a P-bass
ah, you recognized him....By all means, go right ahead!
ah, you recognized him....
I'd better! I've spoken at enough anime-cons that if I didn't, I'd have to hand over my Über-Geek card and commit seppuku!
