Upgrading a cheap bass

[mentalextra]

[quote name='Jondeeman' post='1253489' date='Jun 2 2011, 08:37 AM']Well then, the world is your oyster!

So many choices, so little time. I'm assuming that the bass is passive???

Might be worth looking at some of the Fender pickups that come up here, or even the dreaded Ebay. Although they're often disgarded by those in search of something better, stock Fender pickups (or even some of the more "exotic" Fender p'ups) are a nice place to start. I've got some Originals in my J copy and they tend to make the appropriate sounds. They can also be found going for a song - sure, there are cooler, more expensive and (even) better items, but on a budget, you could do worse. May be worth giving the electricals a once over and upgrading at the same time too.

Have fun. [/quote]


Hi, yes to everything you said. lol I am waiting for a new control plate and pots to arrive at the minute. Interesting point about Fender gear as that would effectively be an upgrade for me. I would be happy with some fender pups.

Cheers

[Andyjr1515]

Lot of wise words been said already...

My take, for what it's worth is: don't expect to make a profit, but do expect a bass that is significantly better than you could afford otherwise and just right for YOU. The reason its value is less for others is that they may be looking for something different and they will always fear 'home bodged' rather than professionally upgraded.
The upgraded Squier Jaguar Bass I've recently posted on Gear Porn is absolutely done for my own use. It's absolutely not to everyone's taste but I don't give a t**s, because I didn't do it for them To me, it looks fabulous, it plays just right, it sounds so much better than the original and has given me a bucketload of satisfaction. For £180 s/h, £40 of veneer, sandpaper and varnish and £25 for strings, I have a guitar worth £900 in my eyes, but to anyone else, I have a £299 Squier VM Jaquar Bass that looks a bit fancy. I did do a similar thing to an Ibanez entry-level bass and I DID make a profit, but only by selling it to a nepalese buddhist who plays in a heay metal band...and how many of those come along at just the right time

Having set my realistic expectations, my take on the order is: first make sure you're starting with a 'decent bit of wood' with a neck that's playable - all of the major names that sell good quality expensive guitars cannot risk denting their reputation with rubbish entry levels so we're talking here Yamaha; Squier; Ibanez etc, etc. Then it's: strings; setup (especially pickup heights and balance); pickups; bridge; tuners.

...and it really is great, great fun!
Andy

[mentalextra]

Well its mostly done now. My old £30 j bass copy has been "upgraded". It sounds fantastic and makes all the right noises, I am so pleased. I have decided that I would not strip and repaint it. but leave the battle scars as character. The old tin plate bridge is in the bin replaced with a high mass version. That was a bit of a story as even after careful measuring it wasnt right. In the end I had to fit the E and G string to get the string positioning right. Thanks to willyf87 for the jazz pups. Cleaned up the fretboard and fitted some roundwound strings. The difference in sound is amazing and the feel and playability are outstanding.

There is a little snagging list. I will have to set the intonation and string height properly, it needs a tweak. The machine heads have a question of doubt over them or maybe Im looking for problems where there arent any!

I am genuinely over the moon though. Thank you all so much for the help and encouragement.