Black pickguard screw mod. What a difference!
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What's the best modification you've made?
- Thread starter roller
- Start date
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- hardware modification sound tone
Well, after consulting with a friend who is a physics professor, we decided that nothing improves bass tones like red sparkles. It really does make a difference. 
M. M.
M. M.
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
My Lakland Skyline 55-01.
- Swapped stock neck for an OEM fretless one
- Replaced stock pickups with US Bartolini
- Replaced stock preamp with Lakland LH3
Before:
After:
So, did YOU get better, or did you sell the bass to someone who could play? “)
- Jun 6, 2012
- 4,837
- 6,854
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- I don't wait 30 minutes after eating, to go swimming.
I haven't tried the Type A, but I have a Hipshot Type B on my Mustang PJ. I like it. I don't know if the tone is really any different, but it certainly looks nicer and seems to marginally improve the instrument's balance (being heavier than the original Fender bridge).
I have 3 electric basses, so I'm taking 3. They're all similar changes, so...
BEAD Jag - Fralin P/J pickups.
VM Jag - Honeybadger Pickups (and 500K Pots with P-P Series/Parallel)
Schecter Elite 5 - Delano Pickups (and 500K Pots with P-P Single/Series switching on each)
My whole herd (except the AEB i guess) is passive now and I couldn't be happier...
BEAD Jag - Fralin P/J pickups.
VM Jag - Honeybadger Pickups (and 500K Pots with P-P Series/Parallel)
Schecter Elite 5 - Delano Pickups (and 500K Pots with P-P Single/Series switching on each)
My whole herd (except the AEB i guess) is passive now and I couldn't be happier...
Putting vintage, threaded saddle bridges on my Fenders. I know some prefer hi mass bridges. I'm the opposite. I like a low mass vintage bridge. I feel it warms up the tone and makes better use of wood vibrations. This may not really matter to some but I hear a difference. Not recommended if you're a full time slapper.
- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
“Best” has been different depending on the bass but overall I’d say...
1 pickup swap
2 wiring; series,parallel, coil tapping switches for pickups that can run as single or dual, changing pots or removing them.
3 tuners if the originals are cheap can improve tuning stability which definitely improves sounds. This can be a huge one on some basses but little to no improvement in others depending on the quality of the stock tuners and the ones you’re installing.
Best functional mod that’s doesn’t impact sound imo is straplocks. I like Dimarzio clip locks on basses that weight less than 10 lbs and use metal straplocks (Warwick or Dunlop usually) with wide padded levy’s straps for any basses over 10lbs
On a more serious note, having the bridge countersunk deeper into the body of this bass was the best mod I've ever made. Not done by me, it was done the by the instrument's builder. Originally set up to appeal to an upright player, the action was too high for me. Now it's capable of very low action. Running a close second place regarding mods was installing a Glock 3-band in this bass. Suits my sense of hearing just fine.
M. M.
M. M.
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Honestly, the best (and cheapest) mod I made on my bass is to replace the tone knob with a old fender witch hat numbered knob. I always roll off my tone and now I can set it to my preferred setting quickly and on a noisy stage.
Also I love lollar pickups and a badass bridge on my basses!
Also I love lollar pickups and a badass bridge on my basses!
