Upgrading a P-bass?

astrozombie

astrozombie

KatyPerryologist
Funkfingers said:
The Gotoh is a chunkier version of the ol' Fender idea. Its advantages are greater mass (I wanted this for on-strap balance reasons) and guide tracks for the height adjustment grub screws. (These prevent the E and G saddles from being pulled sideways during "enthusiastic" playing.)

Having said that, the replacement bridge on my Fender '75 Reissue Jazz Bass is a pre-owned Badass II. It had to be really. It looks right, sounds right acoustically and fits with the overall Seventies vibe. (I was aiming for a sound somewhere between Geddy and Marcus.)
Click to expand...

Funny thing. yesterday I told some people in my band i was going to upgrade my bass and one of them said: "...youre upgrading a bass? seriously? why?"

his point was: its bass. its barely heard. why are you going to waste money on that?

seriously, i dont see it as a waste of money. as a guitarrist, i dont feel like I need too many basses. I have 2 precision basses, 1 standard one and 1 that has a jazz pickup too. I'm not going around gigging, playing bass at shows.

What I want to do is take an already decent bass, and make it great.

the bass is a squier.

416352.jpg


Which is an awesome bass. problems? the tone is very good, but I want something deeper and punchier. i heard that a quarter pounder even makes the bass LOUDER, which i dont know is fact, but oh well.

also, the bridge on it is rusting, and the height adjustment screws are stripping at the top. I will have to take measurements to be sure what size the spacing and the screws are, but I am almost sure that these fender specific bridges will fit. (5 screws on my bass, identical to a friends mexican jazz bass).

Because, if all you need is ONE bass, for recording and ocassional gigging, wouldnt you want to make it awesome?

right now im wondering this, when one is considering buying a replacement bass pickup, what specs do you have to look for? DC resistance, like a guitar?

is there anything else i can upgrade? tuners? nut?
 
Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

The bass in the photo looks like a Squier Standard series, made in Indonesia.

I have a few instruments in the same quality ballpark.
1) Modified Yamaha Attitude Plus. (The cheapest variant. Gotoh 201 bridge, SD Active EQ Bass series APB-2 pickup.)
2) Modified Yamaha RBX200F. (Gotoh 201 bridge, SD/BL Lightnin' Rods P pickup, EMG active Treble/Bass EQ.)
3) One of uncle Lambert's Buildabass Signature J-Bass efforts that bear such a close resemblance to the Squier Vintage modified series. ;) (Cheapo OEM stamped steel bridge baseplate, upgraded saddles, Bartolini 8S and 9J-L1 PJ pickups.)

Depending on the "flavour" of Precision Bass that you desire, I happily recommend any of these pickups.

The old Active EQ series P is a gift for any recording bassist. The Lightnin' Rod is more "authentic" but still sounds modern. The Bart is waaaaaaaaaaaay huge WITHOUT PP3 assistance.

The other obvious candidate pickup is the EMG-P. This would imbue the Squier with a definite EMG character. People hearing recordings of it would never guess that the instrument is a Squier.

If your posting stays in one place for long enough, I might get around to adding some suggestions for nut and tuners. ;)
 
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Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

I went through a similar process about a year ago with my MIM P-Bass. I figured, even though I'm a guitarist, I only own one bass so I might as well make this one better.

I ended up upgrading the pickup and bridge. As far as I know, all the information you use to compare guitar pickups still applies (DC resistance, etc.). I went with the SPB-3 Quarter Pound and I love it. If you're looking for "punchier" this is it. It's like getting kicked in the chest, in a good way.

I went with the Gotoh "heavy duty" bass bridge. Gotoh makes a "standard" and a "heavy duty" model. The standard is just like stock Fender ones, with the bent metal baseplate. The heavy duty is just what the name says...it's got a thicker baseplate and seems sturdier overall.

Standard:
http://www.gpdusa.com/Gotoh_4_String_Bridges-Gotoh_Standard_4_String_Bass_Bridge_Chrome_2.html

Heavy Duty:
http://www.gpdusa.com/Gotoh_4_String_Bridges-Gotoh_Heavy_Duty_Bass_Bridge_Chrome_2.html

The new bridge not only improved the tone and sustain, but I was also able to adjust the intonation better. The tracks under the saddles are a big plus as well, it keeps everything where it's supposed to be when you're really digging in.

As far as tuners and nut upgrades go, I look at it like I do on a guitar. Don't bother with the tuners unless there's something that needs fixing. I like locking tuners on my guitars, but that's unnecessary on a bass (I don't even think they make them). If they're slipping, it's worth it, but otherwise, who cares? Same goes for the nut IMO. If it's not binding and the slots are well cut, it shouldn't be an issue.
 
Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

astrozombie said:
yesterday I told some people in my band i was going to upgrade my bass and one of them said: "...youre upgrading a bass? seriously? why?" his point was: its bass. its barely heard. why are you going to waste money on that?
Click to expand...

Who is this guy? He needs a slap. Unless you are a White Stripes / Seasick Steve tribute band, bass is vitally important. IMO, it is not so much that the bass is not heard as that your friend is failing to listen to it. Big mistake.

Anybody with the faintest understanding of music/harmony theory will know what havoc can be reeked by shifting the relationship between the bass notes and the chords.

Beatles without Paul. Motown without Jamerson. Led Zeppelin without JPJ. ZZ Top without Dusty Hill. They'd all be farked.

Final thought. Does the bassist in your band know that the others think so little of his/her contribution?
 
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Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

Funkfingers said:
The bass in the photo looks like a Squier Standard series, made in Indonesia.

I have a few instruments in the same quality ballpark.
1) Modified Yamaha Attitude Plus. (The cheapest variant. Gotoh 201 bridge, SD Active EQ Bass series APB-2 pickup.)
2) Modified Yamaha RBX200F. (Gotoh 201 bridge, SD/BL Lightnin' Rods P pickup, EMG active Treble/Bass EQ.)
3) One of uncle Lambert's Buildabass Signature J-Bass efforts that bear such a close resemblance to the Squier Vintage modified series. ;) (Cheapo OEM stamped steel bridge baseplate, upgraded saddles, Bartolini 8S and 9J-L1 PJ pickups.)

Depending on the "flavour" of Precision Bass that you desire, I happily recommend any of these pickups.

The old Active EQ series P is a gift for any recording bassist. The Lightnin' Rod is more "authentic" but still sounds modern. The Bart is waaaaaaaaaaaay huge WITHOUT PP3 assistance.

The other obvious candidate pickup is the EMG-P. This would imbue the Squier with a definite EMG character. People hearing recordings of it would never guess that the instrument is a Squier.

If your posting stays in one place for long enough, I might get around to adding some suggestions for nut and tuners. ;)
Click to expand...

Squier by Fender Vintage Modified Precision Bass Features:
Agathis body
Maple, C-shape neck
Rosewood fingerboard with 9.5" radius (241 mm) and 20 medium jumbo frets
One Duncan Designed PB101 Split Single-Coil Pickup with Alnico 5 Magnets
Volume & tone controls
Standard 4-saddle bridge
Machine heads
Standard chrome open-gear tuners
3-Ply black/white/black pickguard
34" (864mm) scale length
Width at nut
1.625" (41 mm)
Dot position Inlays
Knurled chrome dome control knobs

I remember reading "indonesia" on it, if im not mistaken.

the duncan designed is supposed to be like the "vintage" model.
 
Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

Funkfingers said:
Depending on the "flavour" of Precision Bass that you desire, I happily recommend any of these pickups.
Click to expand...



just the tone, not the look.

now, i kind of want to make the bass look like this:

0190115801_md.jpg
 
Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

astrozombie said:
Squier by Fender Vintage Modified Precision Bass. I remember reading "indonesia" on it, if im not mistaken. the duncan designed is supposed to be like the "vintage" model.
Click to expand...

Fundamentally good instrument, including the pickup. Only change the parts with which you are not happy.

astrozombie said:
anyone think this would be cool?

247930.jpg
Click to expand...

Yes, until it gets dirty.

Screwhole alignment between an American plate and an Indonesian guitar could be an issue. (Not fatal.) Alignment between the edges of the "controls" area of the USA plate and the Indonesian rout may prove more problematic. Try before you buy.
 
Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

Funkfingers said:
Fundamentally good instrument, including the pickup. Only change the parts with which you are not happy.



Yes, until it gets dirty.

Screwhole alignment between an American plate and an Indonesian guitar could be an issue. (Not fatal.) Alignment between the edges of the "controls" area of the USA plate and the Indonesian rout may prove more problematic. Try before you buy.
Click to expand...

...dirty? this thing gets tarnished?

and.. im not happy with the bridge and the pickups. so i guess im going quarter pounder and gotoh/badass2
 
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Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

astrozombie said:
this kind of white thing?

tanodized3.jpg


thats not so bad in my eyes.:D
Click to expand...

That is faked ageing, done with a washing-up scourer, but the basic idea of discolouration is hinted at in that product image. Look closely at the countersunk screw holes. They tend to rust up.

Guitar cosmetics are a matter of subjective taste. My main concern over the authentic 'guard is that it might not properly cover the non-authentic Indonesian control cavity.
 
Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

Funkfingers said:
That is faked ageing, done with a washing-up scourer, but the basic idea of discolouration is hinted at in that product image. Look closely at the countersunk screw holes. They tend to rust up.

Guitar cosmetics are a matter of subjective taste. My main concern over the authentic 'guard is that it might not properly cover the non-authentic Indonesian control cavity.
Click to expand...

maybe 35 dollars for a guard is too much for experimentation.

any other colors that would look good on a white bass?
 
Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

Funkfingers said:
Who is this guy? He needs a slap. Unless you are a White Stripes / Seasick Steve tribute band, bass is vitally important. IMO, it is not so much that the bass is not heard as that your friend is failing to listen to it. Big mistake.

Anybody with the faintest understanding of music/harmony theory will know what havoc can be reeked by shifting the relationship between the bass notes and the chords.

Beatles without Paul. Motown without Jamerson. Led Zeppelin without JPJ. ZZ Top without Dusty Hill. They'd all be farked.

Final thought. Does the bassist in your band that the others think so little of his/her contribution?
Click to expand...

Totally agree. The bassist in my band a) is an awesome guy with an awesome instrument and b) lays the foundation for me (rhythm guitar and singer) and our lead guitarist. We tried playing without him once, it sounded totally wrong.
 
Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

Gingrel said:
Totally agree. The bassist in my band a) is an awesome guy with an awesome instrument and b) lays the foundation for me (rhythm guitar and singer) and our lead guitarist. We tried playing without him once, it sounded totally wrong.
Click to expand...

absolutely!

its like i said, if i rarely play bass... why not sound as best as i can?
 
Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

Gingrel said:
Totally agree. The bassist in my band a) is an awesome guy with an awesome instrument and b) lays the foundation for me (rhythm guitar and singer) and our lead guitarist. We tried playing without him once, it sounded totally wrong.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Gingrel.

I am in the (possibly) fortunate position of playing both guitar and bass. When I play bass, I try and lay down something over which my guitarist side would enjoy playing.

Remember, your audience shakes its collective booty to the drums and bass NOT the sweep picked arpeggios or the soloing. (Honourable exception - the audience on the "Rush In Rio" DVD singing the riff from "YYZ".)
 
Re: Upgrading a P-bass?

Funkfingers said:
Thank you, Gingrel.

I am in the (possibly) fortunate position of playing both guitar and bass. When I play bass, I try and lay down something over which my guitarist side would enjoy playing.

Remember, your audience shakes its collective booty to the drums and bass NOT the sweep picked arpeggios or the soloing. (Honourable exception - the audience on the "Rush In Rio" DVD singing the riff from "YYZ".)
Click to expand...

yeah, that audience was mind blowing! i dont know how the trio got through it all without lookin at each other and laughin.

is that the one where alex calls geddy the guy from epanema?
 
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