Why did you modded your bass(es)?

[iridiumrocks]

When I bought my bass, it was a very cheap, poor quality instrument and the electronics were terrible...they sounded like a cardboard box. Under my guitarist's guidance, since I didn't know anything at the time, I got and installed a Dimarzio Model P and it worked for me for a long time. Eventually, I became discontent with the tone and started seeking a different sound, at which point I switched to a Lollar pickup. It made a ton of difference and I'm happy with the choice.

In short, people mod because they're looking for something different than what they have, and often to upgrade poor quality components, as well.

Same reason for me. I bought a Univox Ric clone bass as a teenager when I wanted to start playing bass. I wanted a Ric but the Univox was a fraction of the price and I was a cash-strapped teen. The stock pickups were thin and crappy sounding, so I replaced the bridge pickup with a Dimarzio P-bass pickup. This made it sound MUCH better, although it sounds nothing like a Ric. I have never had a reason to mod any of my other basses once I gained experience and knew more about what I was looking for.

 

[soulman969]

I like Bill Lawrence/Wilde pickups so other than strings (Jazz/Pressure Wounds and PBass/Flats) those are the only modifications made to my basses and not so much that it was needed but more because of what I prefer tonally. Other than that and a pickguard swap on the Jazz they're stock.

 

[James Judson]

Replaced the mud bucker in my Epiphone EB-1. Better but not what I really like so I added a thumb rest so I'm picking near the bridge. Better but not what I like. I really need to add or move the pu closer to the bridge but I'm not willing to route the body. T

 

[micgtr71]

I replaced the tuners in my 95 jazz because it was incredibly neck heavy. The tuners were those really solid ones with the f on them so I got the hipshot ultralites. The originals looked really cool but weighed a ton. After that, I replaced the bridge with a hipshot initially because I liked the looks of it but I do think it helps playability and tone.

I currently have a mike dirnt squier that I converted to fretless. While not worth a lot of money in conversion, I do want to put a new pickup in it because the current one sounds weak and thin. I'm thinking of the quarter pound sd, but not exclusively.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I mod stuff.

I (gave myself) an MIM Jazz V Standard for Christmas.

Anyway, I already have a set of Quarter Pounders, a set of SCNs and a bridge Norstrand noiseless, all for 5s, all of which I bought cheap, used, here on TB or on eBay. I also bought a new Audere pre, which is in my sock drawer...
Anything I don't use, I can sell again on eBay, usually for the same price, maybe a couple bucks less.

If I decide to sell the bass, the original stuff goes back on (almost as much fun) and the good stuff goes up for sale, or on another bass. Whoopee

Said 2012 MIM V, SCNs, Audere, Warmoth Pickguard, Hipshots.
(For the moment)

 

[Co0O]

Have modded two of mine, a '08 Squier Presision Special and a '11 MIM Fender Precision Standard. Both of them now got Gotoh 201 bridges, mainly for looks. The Squier has Kent Armstrong Hot Vintage (WD) pickups, new pots and wiring, and sounds great. The MIM has Fender Vintage '62 pickups, and sounds even better. I've also put a tortoise pickguard on that one: