Basswood mods.

[Owwwccchhh]

Hey everyone. I was wondering if basswood is a good strong wood that you could use to modify. Like is it suggested. Please do not start a "wood doesn't affect tone" flame war here. I already have my own opinion and don't need to be swayed on the matter. I was more or less just wondering if basswood would hold up through mods or not. Cheers everybody! Thank you for your time!

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Basswood mods.

Yeah as long as you don't go full ricky special on it.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Basswood mods.

Actually you could do whatever the hell you want to it and it wont matter as long as the neck pocket is intact and the bridge location.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Basswood mods.

Hey everyone. I was wondering if basswood is a good strong wood that you could use to modify. Like is it suggested. Please do not start a "wood doesn't affect tone" flame war here. I already have my own opinion and don't need to be swayed on the matter. I was more or less just wondering if basswood would hold up through mods or not. Cheers everybody! Thank you for your time!

what kind of mods? basswood has its own character with enhanced mids, but it is among the softest hardwoods, so be careful.

 

[Owwwccchhh]

Re: Basswood mods.

By mods I just mean quick pups change. Obviously you can tell from the mention of the Jackson, then it's a metal guitar. So I don't know if the extended mids are good or if they're just too much. I really just plan on putting, say a Nazgul in the bridge or Pegasus and something more for leads (the jazz neck screams when you put some distortion through it) maybe the jazz, 59, pearly gates, jb, full shred, or whole lot of humbucker... Dammit that's every vintage output Duncan bucker there is...

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Basswood mods.

Well, Basswood is a soft wood–the softest I've used in a guitar body (awesome for sanding) BUT it makes a great guitar body (used quite heavily at Charvel)

What type of mods are you looking at?

EDIT: Just saw you posted while I was typing–Basswood would hold up just fine to multiple pickup swaps, look at all of those old Charvels from the 80's that have been modded beyond recognition

 

[Owwwccchhh]

Re: Basswood mods.

What if I were to install, say a vintage trem system? Or a new nut?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Basswood mods.

What if I were to install, say a vintage trem system? Or a new nut?

So changing from say a 2 post to a 6 hole? Multiple changes on the trem could take a toll on the body, Basswood is a soft wood so I wouldn't recommend changing back and forth multiple times between a Modern and Vintage style BUT it can be done (would need to fill the holes though.)

The nut is on the neck and will have no effect on the body.

 

[Owwwccchhh]

Re: Basswood mods.

Christ, good point. I didn't think of it that way... I was all stressed out about tuner changes but it's not even something that factors in. Okay. And I found out that the guitar I was looking out has a trem on it... Also, is modern tremolo system just referring to Floyd Rose or are there other modern trems? Sorry for a the stupid remarks.

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Basswood mods.

Basswood is used on a lot of expensive guitar and a lot of sig models so it must be doing something right.

I like it in my Ibanez RG, the only thing i don't like it what was stated above,it's soft and damages easily if you don't take care of it..
My basswood RG Prestige lives in a case much like my high dollar Les Pauls do.. I don't leave them out on stands.

All that being said, yes basswood is worth modding, it responds very well to different pickups and my RG covers everything from blues to hair metal.
I am currently running a Tone Zone, True Velvet and an Air Norton.
My next plan is a custom shot Duncan RTM with an alnico 4 magnet 59 and I am undecided in the middle.
Basswood is wide open for mods and it sound good, if it wasn't it wouldn't be the wood of choice from Ibanez and Jackson as well as others..
The only thing I don't like about it, is it doesn't have the sustain of my Les Pauls but not much does and I am 95% a Les Paul player..

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Basswood mods.

Good point. I didn't think of it that way... I was all stressed out about tuner changes but it's not even something that factors in. Okay. And I found out that the guitar I was looking out has a trem on it... Also, is modern tremolo system just referring to Floyd Rose or are there other modern trems? Sorry for a the stupid remarks.

Nothing to worry about man, all good! And I would say, the nut and tuners are important factors to consider–those mods just won't affect the body.

Sorry, I was referring to the Fender Modern 2-Hole type that the spacing also accommodates trems like a Wilkinson. The Floyd is the widest spacing I'm aware of–have to be careful as not all "Floyds" have the same spacing (different versions by Jackson, Ibanez, Kahler, etc. may or may not be the same spacing, something to measure.)

 

[Owwwccchhh]

Re: Basswood mods.

How are Floyd's? I've heard their a nightmare to tune up. You have to use the pegs on the bridge correct? And why is it hard to change tunings? I've heard a lot of hate about them, but if used properly they look like damn good little bridges that hold tune no matter how hard you work the trem. Also, do you need a trembucker for them, or is it just to line the strings on the poles? And if so, can you use a trembucker on something with a hardtail? I realize that the spacing of the poles on the trembuckers change tone, but is it a dramatic change? Are Floyd's worth all of the work? Or is a more vintage Strat style trem the one I want?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Basswood mods.

How are Floyd's? I've heard their a nightmare to tune up. You have to use the pegs on the bridge correct? And why is it hard to change tunings? I've heard a lot of hate about them, but if used properly they look like damn good little bridges that hold tune no matter how hard you work the trem. Also, do you need a trembucker for them, or is it just to line the strings on the poles? And if so, can you use a trembucker on something with a hardtail? I realize that the spacing of the poles on the trembuckers change tone, but is it a dramatic change? Are Floyd's worth all of the work? Or is a more vintage Strat style trem the one I want?

Floyds can be a pain to tune up...if you break one string they all go out of tune (happened to me during a live perfomance...was terrible lol)

I would say go with an Original Floyd Rose for the spacing and if you don't like the Floyd you can change it out for this trem (Schaller 3801) which is one of my personal favorites. The 3801 uses a Floyd Rose Spacing but has Fender Saddles with Rollers–awesome for tuning (when properly set up.)

 

[greekdude]

Re: Basswood mods.

The only thing I don't like about it, is it doesn't have the sustain of my Les Pauls but not much does and I am 95% a Les Paul player..

The body affects mostly the last frets as far as sustain is concerned. True, basswood does not attenuate upper mids too well. I have seen Les Pauls sustaining much less than my 80s Kramer 210 superstrat.

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Basswood mods.

Floyds just have a learning curve. Learn how to tune inside out on a Floyd and it's a time and sanity saver.
Look it up on google but basically inside out is.

Tune G then tune D then fine tune G then fine tune G again.
Do this inside out ending on the low E. Once you stretch the strings and lock it in you are in tune til you stretch the strings again or change strings.
I had a Satriani Ibanez in the mid 2000s that I couldn't tune, even though I had owned several FLoyd type guitars this Edge Pro was finicky! I took it back to the dealer and the tech taught me this method
of tuning a double locking trem and I never looked back. You stabilize the trem from the inside out.
I prefer Les Pauls with a tail piece but I always have at least one super strat with a Floyd.. Every serious guitarist needs at least one shred stick..
Lean to work on your own guitar and you will never be worried about a Floyd, they are no worse than a stop tail they are just different.

 

[Owwwccchhh]

Re: Basswood mods.

How does changing tunings go? Is there like an unlocking method you can do, or should you change strings every time you change tunings?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Basswood mods.

How does changing tunings go? Is there like an unlocking method you can do, or should you change strings every time you change tunings?

Changing tunings is a much bigger pain with a locking trim system (such as a Floyd.) Most guys I know don't change strings when they change the tunings. I do have an acquaintance who swears by heavier gauge strings at drop C tuning but he is not a dude I listen to for guitar advice. lol

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Basswood mods.

When you change tunings you have to put a deck of cards or something under the bridge to block it off so that it's level with the body or near level as possible then tune to your desired tuning.
Be sure to back your fine tuning screws out a bit so you have adjustment.
Once you are in "tune" remove the cards or whatever is blocking the trem then remove the back cover to expose the springs and the claw.
While you are plugged into the tuner use the screws on the claw that screws into your body to get your low E and high E in tune.
If your intonation is on this should be all you need, you can change strings and go from tuning to tuning with this method, it is what I do and it works on every
Floyd or Ibanez trem I have tried it on.. Once your low E and high E are in tune leave the claw along and fine tune your guitar at the Floyd, set your action and you're done..
When you blocked the bridge level you essentially trued the action and all you are doing in the back of the guitar is fine tuning the bridge.
This will work for either dropped or standard tunings. I have gone as low as drop C personally on my Floyds..

Other options are blocking the trem so its either dive only or stationary or getting a tremlono setup and making it more of and EVH or 80s style bridge.
I didn't ask what kind of guitar you have? I am assuming that you have a recessed Floyd Rose that pulls and dives?
If you don't disregard my lesson and all you will have to do is adjust the claw if your string and tuning change pulls the bridge away from parallel on the body.

 

[Shooter.556]

Re: Basswood mods.

I hope that makes sense, there are youtube videos of how to do it, its not complicated it's just a procedure..
Tone King made one that is pretty much how I describe it..
I was really intimidated by double locking trems when I was a young man.. I thought they were sorcery or witchcraft.
There is not much to them and once you figure them out they are easy to work on..

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Basswood mods.

When you change tunings you have to put a deck of cards or something under the bridge to block it off so that it's level with the body or near level as possible then tune to your desired tuning.
Be sure to back your fine tuning screws out a bit so you have adjustment.
Once you are in "tune" remove the cards or whatever is blocking the trem then remove the back cover to expose the springs and the claw.
While you are plugged into the tuner use the screws on the claw that screws into your body to get your low E and high E in tune.
If your intonation is on this should be all you need, you can change strings and go from tuning to tuning with this method, it is what I do and it works on every
Floyd or Ibanez trem I have tried it on.. Once your low E and high E are in tune leave the claw along and fine tune your guitar at the Floyd, set your action and you're done..
When you blocked the bridge level you essentially trued the action and all you are doing in the back of the guitar is fine tuning the bridge.
This will work for either dropped or standard tunings. I have gone as low as drop C personally on my Floyds..

Other options are blocking the trem so its either dive only or stationary or getting a tremlono setup and making it more of and EVH or 80s style bridge.
I didn't ask what kind of guitar you have? I am assuming that you have a recessed Floyd Rose that pulls and dives?
If you don't disregard my lesson and all you will have to do is adjust the claw if your string and tuning change pulls the bridge away from parallel on the body.

I hope that makes sense, there are youtube videos of how to do it, its not complicated it's just a procedure..
Tone King made one that is pretty much how I describe it..
I was really intimidated by double locking trems when I was a young man.. I thought they were sorcery or witchcraft.
There is not much to them and once you figure them out they are easy to work on..

Well, not in any way trying to be negative here, but the OP started this thread about beginning stuff...I personally would say learn to play the guitar before experimenting with multiple trems on a guitar.