I know alot of people don't like the ibanez bridges + preamps and change them out. I for one, love ibanez's, especially the SR300 and SR700. I think they both sound absolutely amazing and wouldn't change anything on them. But again, they ain't my basses
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Who Believes In Leaving Basses Alone?
- Thread starter plangentmusic
- Start date
I know alot of people don't like the ibanez bridges + preamps and change them out. I for one, love ibanez's, especially the SR300 and SR700. I think they both sound absolutely amazing and wouldn't change anything on them. But again, they ain't my basses
I am 50/50 on this subject. But I'm also a gear junky, and I love taking instruments apart and reassembling them. The only time I absolutely do not is if the mojo/unique character will be compromised. Then I leave it alone. But it is fun to hear the difference some swapped out electronics can make.
But to more or less answer your question. It is not needed, but can be fun. So if you're into it...take the ride.
But to more or less answer your question. It is not needed, but can be fun. So if you're into it...take the ride.
I messed with my bass when I was in my 20's and wished I did not...I say leave them alone.
I'm not a fan of "Relic" or "Worn bass guitars and if someone wants to take $500 worth of hardware and stick it on a $100 china bass I just cringe...to each is own. I do believe this stuff has not helped when it comes to fake stuff so not a fan of the disguising a bass.
I'm not a fan of "Relic" or "Worn bass guitars and if someone wants to take $500 worth of hardware and stick it on a $100 china bass I just cringe...to each is own. I do believe this stuff has not helped when it comes to fake stuff so not a fan of the disguising a bass.
Sometimes it comes down to lack of choices in the market-if you want a J or P bass, there are hundreds of choices "off the shelf"-but if you are like myself, and play rather uncommon string configurations (in my case 8 and 12 string basses, but could also apply to 6 string or whatever...) your options begin to narrow significantly. In the case of 12 string basses, there are probably less active manufacturers of them than the number of strings they have. So unless you can afford a few thousand for a custom job, your best bet is to nab one of the Korean jobs, which are well made, but suffer (IMO) from cheap electronics, and then replace the pups and pre.
I've had a used Pedulla MVP-5 for like 5 years now and for all that time I hated the Bartolini electronics. I basically forced myself to use it and make the best of it, simply because of what it had cost me.
Two weeks ago I stripped the Aguilar OBP-3 from another bass and put it into the Pedulla. It sounds just so much better now.
So... no, I don't believe in leaving basses alone, even if it had a four figure pricetag.
Two weeks ago I stripped the Aguilar OBP-3 from another bass and put it into the Pedulla. It sounds just so much better now.
So... no, I don't believe in leaving basses alone, even if it had a four figure pricetag.
I'm of a mind if that if you like to mod just for fun, go ahead and mod to your little heart's content, you don't really need a reason other than you enjoy it, but what kinda bothers me is when I see someone proclaiming, "I'm getting brand X bass in a few days ,and I'm gonna change the pickups, tuners, bridge (BA II yet again), etc." Why? You don't even have it in your hands and you're basically gonna change everything on it without even playing it once? Before you know for sure it actually needs it? That makes no sense to me. I get the impression a lot of times some are doing these (same old, same old) mods just because they get the idea that's the way you'e supposed to do it in order to get a really good bass. The never ending quest for the perfect bass, I suppose.
Myself, the extent of my mods are fairly superficial, straplocks as a matter of course, A black pg replacing the white one on my MIA Jazz, Jazz style black knobs on my Squier VM J, thumb rest, bridge covers, all minor stuff, none of which are the major functional components of a bass. They just don't need them. The only time I will likely change anything like that is if something breaks. The only exception might be my SX, the electronics in that are kinda iffy, but then again , I may not do anything to the SX unless it gives me reason to.
Myself, the extent of my mods are fairly superficial, straplocks as a matter of course, A black pg replacing the white one on my MIA Jazz, Jazz style black knobs on my Squier VM J, thumb rest, bridge covers, all minor stuff, none of which are the major functional components of a bass. They just don't need them. The only time I will likely change anything like that is if something breaks. The only exception might be my SX, the electronics in that are kinda iffy, but then again , I may not do anything to the SX unless it gives me reason to.
I wouldn't change parts "just because" but, if something is in need of repair .I will upgrade it if I belive it will perform better. When I rebuild an engine I take the time to port & polish the heads = performance. Brass nut on my bass tarnished - upgrade to bone, brigde loose on the body - upgrade to better bridge with different mounting locations. To use a car term "restomod".
PS - I always use strap locks & pressure wound strings ! ! !
PS - I always use strap locks & pressure wound strings ! ! !
I'm Not into modding. I modded once in the past but the results were minimal so they hardly seemed worth the $$ and effort. If you buy a decent instrument there is no need to mod IMHO.
I think buying some of these budget basses (Squier, SX, EB-0) for 100 to 200 dollars and putting new parts on as needed is a good way to get a great bass for little money. You also get what you want. I'm thinking of buying a SX short scale fretless. I have no idea if I'll like fretless, no one else makes short scale fretless, and I know going in there is a good chance I'll need to spend a little more aftermarket. Still better than dropping a thousand bucks. I've got about $250 in my bronco bass. If I would have spent $750 on a mustang and heard that $250 bronco, I would have felt ripped off. Mods have their place for us short scalers I think.
If I want a Fender, I'll never change its pickups to something else. Then it is not a Fender!
So my Geddy will only be a Geddy if it is with the original pickups.
I could consider to change a pickguard but it must be the brands pickguard which is "normal" for the model.
So my Geddy will only be a Geddy if it is with the original pickups.
I could consider to change a pickguard but it must be the brands pickguard which is "normal" for the model.
I have changed a pickguard for the asthetic. I have 2 MIA P-Basses that I think are fine.
I run them through a Hartke LH1000. If I can't get the volume or presence with that amp, changing the Pu's isn't going to help.
I run them through a Hartke LH1000. If I can't get the volume or presence with that amp, changing the Pu's isn't going to help.
The thing is, I've found even on the cheaper instruments like you mention, modding may be desired but is not always necessary, even on the lowly SX.
i am in the total tonal rarity here, but i enjoy no effects, a flat amp setting, and my MIA p bass with no modifications. thats all. i think it sounds great, and it makes me really think about how i am going to approach the next song with what I have. i love it and i get no complaints.
however, I am a very different bass player in my twenties than when i was in my teens.
however, I am a very different bass player in my twenties than when i was in my teens.
That's true. I'm just prepared to replace parts if I need or want to. For instance, making a bass active or putting a black bridge and tuners. Still cheaper than most high end stuff by far, and you get the look and sound you want. If you screw it up who cares. I could mod 3 broncos all different for the price of 1 mustang. However, I'm not a pro or a recording artist so this works well for me.
I would agree that modding a bass that costs over $400-500 is not very practical. You go over $500, you might as well get what you're looking for already there. I would get a $300 dollar Squier or a MIA Fender before a MIM.
Repairs? - yeah, obviously.
Putting a Hi-Mass bridge on? - absolutely no way!
Defretting? - no way. If I want no frets, I'll buy it that way.
Changing passive to active or vice versa? - not gonna happen.
Changing pots, tuners and p/ups? - not unless they bend, bag or sag at the knees.
Change a P/G? - maybe - like if I buy that Reggie Hamilton - the first and possibly only thing changed after getting those rotten 7250 NPS strings off it will be to go tort.
Change color? - could happen on my Squier P to match the rest of my black/rosewood/torts.
Change a decal? - absolutely NO WAY!
I've even gotten to the point where I actually refuse to buy any used gear at all.
I guess I am saying that we are all snobbish whores to one extreme or another; some for 'the sound' - others for 'the look' - others for 'authenticity' - and some for 'resale value'.
Putting a Hi-Mass bridge on? - absolutely no way!
Defretting? - no way. If I want no frets, I'll buy it that way.
Changing passive to active or vice versa? - not gonna happen.
Changing pots, tuners and p/ups? - not unless they bend, bag or sag at the knees.
Change a P/G? - maybe - like if I buy that Reggie Hamilton - the first and possibly only thing changed after getting those rotten 7250 NPS strings off it will be to go tort.
Change color? - could happen on my Squier P to match the rest of my black/rosewood/torts.
Change a decal? - absolutely NO WAY!
I've even gotten to the point where I actually refuse to buy any used gear at all.
I guess I am saying that we are all snobbish whores to one extreme or another; some for 'the sound' - others for 'the look' - others for 'authenticity' - and some for 'resale value'.
This . . . otherwise it can be like putting primo 20" rims n' skins on an old Chevette . . .
. . .
