Dunk

I enjoy being on Bass Chat for a number of reasons but one of my original motivations for joining was the ‘For Sale’ topics. I generally check 2-3 times a week to see what’s been posted but yesterday I didn’t (Mother’s Day, visiting in-laws etc) … today I saw my dream bass in the ads, but already sold within 24hrs!! 😮 listed and sold before I even saw it!! genuinely a bit gutted.. I will now be checking EVERY day!!

Yes, you’re right, there’s definitely a distinction between ‘bolt on’ removable modifications and permanent alterations (routing etc) although even a change of tuners is likely to leave ghost holes. Although it’s also true to say that it’s rare that the original parts get included in the sale, more often than not, so unless you (as the buyer) are prepared to go and source original parts to restore it back to standard you’re still left with a modified bass. As I say, I’m not totally against modifying.. I just dislike calling every single alteration an upgrade. Incidentally I also loathe the phrase ‘essential mods’… as I said, I’m into motorcycles and one of the most common questions on every bike forum these days is, “Hi I’m new here, what are the essential mods for this bike?”….. it drives me nuts! A new word… hmmmm… perhaps ‘ruinated’ or ‘meddlef****d’….?

I think the word ‘Upgrade’ has been overused by people who really mean ‘modified’… Modifications of course are fine, some improve things and others don’t, I have no problem with experimenting and trying new things. But ‘upgrade is subjective. My son is currently trying out different pickups on a cheap (£80) Squier affinity strat for example… just for fun and he’s learning about maintaining and repairing his guitar along the way (which is great) but any changes he makes will be a subjective change. For example.. adding a set of £300 pickups to a £250 bass is probably an improvement (although still subjective and not necessarily so) but adding a £30 eBay high mass bridge to a £600 bass may not be.. neither sonically or visually. Beauty is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder (listener). I think my real issue is when it’s used in a ‘for sale’ ad.. if you change something and you like it that’s great and it’s totally your call to do that to your bass… but to call it an ‘upgrade’ and add to the asking price is questionable. Almost always modifications devalue second hand stuff. Certainly if you start modifying a high end bass significantly and irreversibly you will devalue it. My other passion in life is motorcycles and the secondhand bike market is full of the same… stuff listed in for sale ads as ‘upgraded’ when really it’s been ‘modified’.. not always for the better. Just to be clear.. I’m not anti modification.. trying different stuff and experimenting and making small changes can be cool… but modifying isn’t always upgrading.. often the reverse.