Amateur mods on professional basses

[slowjam98]

Let’s see pics of amateur mods and customization on professional bassists basses. Could be “upgraded” electronics or simply a cosmetic reshaping.

I’ll start with this beauty—Dennis Dunaway’s Airline Bass.

Currently on display at the temporarily closed Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale, AZ.

 

[slowjam98]

Here’s another.

Chris White (The Zombies) has a nicely painted Yamaha.

He also had a Precision with this same treatment.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Let’s see pics of amateur mods and customization on professional bassists basses. Could be “upgraded” electronics or simply a cosmetic reshaping.

I’ll start with this beauty—Dennis Dunaway’s Airline Bass.

View attachment 3792313
Currently on display at the temporarily closed Musical Instrument Museum in Scottsdale, AZ.

I wouldn’t call that “amateur”....I think “Butcher” fits better...

 

[slowjam98]

I wouldn’t call that “amateur”....I think “Butcher” fits better...

Haha! I’m guessing he had fun doing it.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

We’ve all seen this one before...

 

[slowjam98]

We’ve all seen this one before...

He really takes woodshedding to the next level.

 

[xj98jeep]

Unfortunately I don't have pics but in 8th grade I put a p bass neck on my $100 rogue starter pack bass, ruining the intonation. Then I drilled thru the pots trying to add LEDs in the center of the knobs. Spoilers: this did not work.

I'd call my 8th grade craftsmanship pretty damn amateur, but I learned a lot at the expense of that bass. Like, if you drill through the center of a pot it stops working.

 

[slowjam98]

Then I drilled thru the pots trying to add LEDs in the center of the knobs. Spoilers: this did not work.

Yeah. Those LEDs are supposed to be drilled into the pups.

 

[slowjam98]

Okay, here’s a nice one.

Matt Flegel (Preoccupations) has a Precision with an added pup. I believe the bass was handed down from his dad whose friend had done the mod.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Okay, here’s a nice one.

Matt Flegel (Preoccupations) has a Precision with an added pup. I believe the bass was handed down from his dad whose friend had done the mod.

View attachment 3792644

That actually looks pretty professional...

 

[slowjam98]

That actually looks pretty professional...

Yeah, not too shabby. Here’s another shot. That pickguard extension is the giveaway.

 

[pbass888]

“Give about a half a teacup of bass ...”

On the fender bass Mr Jerry Jemmott!

 

[slowjam98]

“Give about a half a teacup of bass ...”

View attachment 3792682

On the fender bass Mr Jerry Jemmott!

Ooo. What does that solitary pot do?

 

[dramatwist]

...nobody mods my basses except my tech guy... decals, stickers, writing... nope... not gonna happen...

 

[pbass888]

@geof_
It’s a 69 jazz from a pawn shop...
Jerry changed his name in the early 70s and the bass had his old initials on it ... so to cover it , stripped and diamonds and ‘pot added”.
Here is the story

 

[slowjam98]

@geof_
It’s a 69 jazz from a pawn shop...
Jerry changed his name in the early 70s and the bass had his old initials on it ... so to cover it , stripped and diamonds and ‘pot added”.
Here is the story

Nice! Great walkthrough of the bass and his history.

 

[Esteban Garcia]

Here’s another.

Chris White (The Zombies) has a nicely painted Yamaha.

View attachment 3792405

He also had a Precision with this same treatment.

View attachment 3792464

I saw him playing that Yamaha in Portland opening for Brian Wilson last year

 

[slowjam98]

I saw him playing that Yamaha in Portland opening for Brian Wilson last year

I saw the same tour in Phoenix. The Zombies were incredible...and I’ll leave it at that.

 

[Esteban Garcia]

I saw the same tour in Phoenix. The Zombies were incredible...and I’ll leave it at that.

I know one of the guys in Brian's band. Suffice it to say Brian has good nights and bad nights.

 

[Doner Designs]

Billy Sheehan's "wife" is probably the ultimate example.