Souping up DIY styley - The Aftermath!!!!

[JakeFoordBass]

Hi Guys,

I have got sick and tired of the lack of body and tone in EUB's and want to bring the Ply acoustic up to some sort of recording/live standard.

I know very little about the bass other than it's not great. A mate's Dad who repairs them said it wasn't bad and was in ok condition.

So, where would I start in trying to get it to sound better? I'm on a bit of a budget as I don't want to spend loads only to find it was still an old dog!

Here's what I was thinking:

Strings - the strings on it seem really mismatched and horrible so that's a start! I was thinking Thomastik Superflexible as an all round good'un?

Fingerboard - It's a lacquered jobby and the lacquer has peeled in places, going to strip it! What's the best way to strip it and will I need to treat the wood beneath in some way?

Thinking that's a good starting place, any other bits I can try?

All advice would be awesome!!

Thanks,

Jake

Edited December 18, 2011 by JakeFoordBass

[rockabillybob1]

get some inovation super silvers and a k&k bass max pickup and listen to the bass it will come alive !!!!!!

if you rub the finger board down be careful not to put any dips in it i just paint mine wth black spray paint and touch it up now and then

Edited November 18, 2011 by rockabillybob1

[JakeFoordBass]

Nice, cheers!

The Bassmax is on the shopping list, liked the look of them!

Those innovations are reasonably priced, what sort of tone do you get with them? I'm after something not too bright with plenty of sustain, mainly pizz but sound ok bowed!

[thisnameistaken]

They don't really bow very well. Apparently Innovation Honeys would be a better choice if you want to bow your bass, Evah Pirazzis are good but pricey, Helicore hybrids also seem like a good solution.

As for improving the sound of your bass beyond trying different strings there might not be much you can do to make a big difference. Get it professionally set up if you haven't already because that should improve the sound, but if your bass doesn't come alive with new strings and a setup I would be thinking about shopping for a new bass.

[JakeFoordBass]

Thanks, yeah having dived into Daf's posts about the innovations I think Honey's are a good option, especially at the price.

Don't suppose you would know anyone decent for setups in the North West?

Might be a case of selling the NS and diving into something new though!

[rockabillybob1]

if you want help setting it up im at wigan

[JakeFoordBass]

So...

I stripped the fingerboard of it's horrible, bubbly lacquer to find a nice piece of wood.

I bought some Innovation Honeys and strung it up.

I went into the studio today and recorded with 1xPeluso U47 and Stereo C414EB'S through Cadac desk and it sounds like a completely different bass!!!

Thanks for all of your advice, may take you up on help with a setup actually Bob if that's ok? Action's maybe just a little high but not too bad!

I've left the fingerboard completely untreated for the moment, what do you reckon's best? An oil of some sort perhaps?

Cheers!

Jake

[JakeFoordBass]

Also, saw a label inside saying Made in Czechoslovakia which I hadn't seen before so it's definitely 18 years or older!

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='JakeFoordBass' timestamp='1324238879' post='1472205']
Also, saw a label inside saying Made in Czechoslovakia which I hadn't seen before so it's definitely 18 years or older!
[/quote]
Unless they were just using up the old stock of labels.

[JakeFoordBass]

Haha, a boy can dream though eh!!

[rockabillybob1]

if you need any help or want to try my pickup b4 you buy im at wigan and if you want the action lowering ive done it many times my tel no is 07802410222 im at orrell wigan ta bob