When does a bass upgrade translate to a performance upgrade?

[40Hz]

You’ll get more performance improvement from a really good setup and a new set of strings more often than not. Once you’re not fighting your instrument because it’s set up properly and is comfortable to play you’ve gotten rid of the single biggest impediment I’ve seen most beginners struggle with - a hard to play bass. And that’s something often caused by a nut that wasn’t cut properly. Which is an all too common problem with lower priced basses.

So before you do anything else, get some strings and do a proper setup first. If you don’t know how to do a setup, now is a good time to learn.

To check the action at the nut, press down on each string between the second and third fret. Then look at the gap between the underside of the string and the top of the first fret. There should be a tiny gap about the thickness of a human hair between them. If the string is touching the fret then the string slot is cut too deep for that string. If the gap is bigger, then the string slot for that string isn’t cut deeply enough. On many inexpensive basses the action at the nut is too high and the string slots could benefit by some careful additional cutting.

Fixing the action at the nut by either shimming or recutting isn’t particularly difficult. But it does require some fairly pricey files to do the job properly. And it’s easy to mess it up if you’re not careful. So if the nut on your bass is significantly out of spec and you’re new to this, then it’s probably easier and less expensive to just take it somewhere and have it done for you.

 

[Floppystrings]

What upgrades make a bass better to play?

1. Neck, a bad neck hurts hands. This can be solved sometimes.
2. Bad pickups, this is so common that I am ready to replace pickups on any bass I get, dull pickups = replacement.
3. Tuners, some are horrible, so a replacement is a great way to stay in tune.

Overall though, if you have all of these issues, selling the bass for a different one is a great option. You only live once and settling for a bass that is uncomfortable to play is a really bad idea. There are so many options I wouldn't settle for a bass that feels horrible to play.

 

[Phil508]

When I moved from my starter bass, a Tiesco to a 67 Hofner it made a big difference. however every bass since that has only done one thing, put a bigger smile on my face and increased GAS. The Tiesco was not much better than a 2x4 with rusty strings, so any bass would of been an improvement.

 

[CallMeAl]

Improve whatever you want however you want bc you have to live with it everyday.

Upgrades do not improve performance. When I think of performance, I think about how easy a bass is to play. Upgrading pickups, tone capacitor or a bridge, may make the bass may sound different, but it won't play any better nor will it make your playing better.

View attachment 3396874
MIM P Bass w/2 simple upgrades:
American vintage bridge
DiMarzio pups
Sounds killer.

I went the other way in that I made what some may consider downgrades to my DIY SCPB to get performance upgrades.
I replaced a beautiful birdseye maple Warmoth neck with a $25 plain maple/rosewood SX shortscale neck, relocated the bridge to accommodate the new scale length and the playability improved greatly for me. I also replaced the Fender pickup with a <$15 dual rail humbucking Strat style pickup making it noiseless and improving it's tone. I find both "downgrades" definitely resulted in performance upgrades.

Some basses are simply more fun to play than others and will inspire you to play it more often

I just picked up a Rogue Fretless strung with LaBella Deep Talking strings, it also has a hipshot bridge, hipshot tuners and EMG Geezer Butler pickups. The previous owner really modded that thing to be quite a player. I agree, the strings definitely make a difference, but the other parts certainly help too, in particular the pickups.

A big theme I have seen in this thread is personalized changes. Subjective "upgrades," not necessarily a bump in quality, just things that make you enjoy or connect with it better. I know I play differently on my P bass than say a musicman. Nothing to do with quality, just a personal preference that affects my playing.

Strings, strings, strings.

Strings have come up several times too. A simple and cost effective way to make a bass play/sound better for you.

Overall, the difference between Squier and MIM Fender is pretty minimal

To me squiers seem to be hit or miss, as far as neck and fret finishing. Most fenders I try are good to go for my taste. Squiers are 50/50, but nothing a little elbow grease cant fix.

If You have reliable basses you are good

Good point. Now I'm taking 2 to my gigs so I'm pretty much covered. I dont know if any amount of money/quality would leave me trusting a single bass on a gig, now that I've grown accustomed to that peace of mind.

Neck, a bad neck hurts hands. This can be solved sometimes.

A better neck can certainly help playability. Or even just sanding down a glossy neck improves the feel for me to the point that it is much more comfortable for me.

I think with any kind of guitar, it's always simple- well made neck that's shaped right for your feel, right body shape and weight to jibe with your body, good setup and appropriate pickups, and you're 9/10s there to "perfect", everything else is gravy.

Yes for me personally neck is the detail I look at most closely, and will make or break it for me.

A new bass can improve your playing in the long run if it makes you play more often. If it’s ergonomics suit you better it can also marginally improve your speed and or accuracy. But if you are going from a $300 jazz bass to a $1500 jazz bass with the same neck profile it’s not going to make you a better player.

That's a good point. Looking at qualities like fretless, 5 string, double bass, etc,... those things will have a bigger effect on musicianship.

 

[mbell75]

To me squiers seem to be hit or miss, as far as neck and fret finishing. Most fenders I try are good to go for my taste. Squiers are 50/50, but nothing a little elbow grease cant fix.

So is every MIM Fender. There are two Players Series P basses (one 2018 and one 2019) sitting in my local GC that I passed on. One has a very bent neck and the other has fret edges so sharp I almost sliced my finger. Even the American made Fenders are hit and miss these days. They all use the same CNC machines and if you think workers in the Mexico plant are inspecting and hand making parts, you’re mistaken. They do the same things as the Squier plant in Indonesia.

In fact, the $199 Squier Affinity PJ I bought there was in MUCH better shape than any of the MIM Fenders. Only thing it needed was the action lowered slightly. Neck was in great shape and so were the frets. It’s 2019, the quality on Squier guitars has gone up while the quality of MIM and even MIA Fenders have gone down. It’s now pretty even with the only real difference being quality of woods and components.

 

[CallMeAl]

So is every MIM Fender. There are two Players Series P basses (one 2018 and one 2019) sitting in my local GC that I passed on. One has a very bent neck and the other has fret edges so sharp I almost sliced my finger. Even the American made Fenders are hit and miss these days. They all use the same CNC machines and if you think workers in the Mexico plant are inspecting and hand making parts, you’re mistaken. They do the same things as the Squier plant in Indonesia.

In fact, the $199 Squier Affinity PJ I bought there was in MUCH better shape than any of the MIM Fenders. Only thing it needed was the action lowered slightly. Neck was in great shape and so were the frets. It’s 2019, the quality on Squier guitars has gone up while the quality of MIM and even MIA Fenders have gone down. It’s now pretty even with the only real difference being quality of woods and components.

I totally get what you're saying about QC and automation. I think I've just had better luck with the Fenders that's all. My local shop had an MIA, a new Player, a VM and a 2008 Affinity (Jazz basses,) and I would have been happy with anyone of them. (I thought the Affinity sounded best, go figure.)

Same shop had a 2019 Squier PJ with basically no finish at all, and a (different) VM Jazz with that hi gloss. Both fixable, but at far as off-the-shelf greatness, they didnt do it for me.

My 2005 Affinity and 2000 Squier Standard both came to me with a little fret spout, so I cant blame the factory for that. Now that its treated, they are pretty darn good. (I have since have traded that Affinity neck for a Peavey)

Like I said, a little elbow grease goes a long way. Every time I go try out basses, I find some that are good, but none give me that "gotta have it" feeling. When I started this thread, I really just wanted to start a discussion. My heart was saying "get a new bass" but my head was saying "you're fine with what you got."

I'm gonna listen to my head on this one.

 

[arbiterusa]

When does a nicer bass translate into making you a better player?

NEVER. Buy something because you want it, but gear - any gear - will never make you even a tiny bit better.

 

[CallMeAl]

Thought it would be fun to (finally) share the basses in question!

Parts bass: Peavey milestone neck, Squier Affinity body

Squier Standard Precision Special:

Thanks everyone! I think I'll keep em