Modding the cheapo to make a recording bass.

[Haemasmtha]

Now you seasoned bass peeps are going to be horrified by this so please bear with me
We are recording some stuff and I normally play guitar - I've modified a good few over the last 30 years but never a bass.
I've got a Westfield Thunderbird 4 string ( yes go on take the wee ) and TBH the pots are fine the jack is going to be replaced with a Neutrik locking one, the neck is OK, Machine Heads are solid enough and I'm experimenting with strings - Monel Roto Flats at the moment which are ok.

My question is ..... is it worth going through body and if so which bridge for reasonable cost is worth buying - I've got ferrules from years back so it's an experiment. Please don't give me the HiFi on tone woods sustain and intonation are key on this one.

cheers for any info at all

newby

Pat ( Haemasmtha )

[geoffbyrne]

No.

G.

[Haemasmtha]

OK. Would you say strings and amp are more important? That's what I've found so far.

[SlapbassSteve]

In my experience of Westfields(I've owned four), it's probably good enough as it is, they're incredibly well made for the price tag. Westfield appreciation aside, good strings would really help depending on the sound you're after, but to get better pickups and bridge then you have in it already you'd be spending easily more then the bass is worth! Just keep it stock and unless you use a silly amount of FX pedals don't worry about an amp and just DI it [size=4] If you've got money really burning a hole it'll probably benefit more from a setup. Having pickups set the right height can improve a bass overall a massive amount.[/size]

[size=4]For the price of a new set of pickups and bridge for a Thunderbird that are any good(ie better then Westfield use) you'd easily be talking £200+, and when you can have an Epi Thunderbird for abar £120 second hand these days it'd be silly to not just buy one of them if that's the sound you're after.[/size]

[Haemasmtha]

That make sense. I've set up the bridge and the pickups and neck to what I think sounds and plays optimum - about as good as it's going to get for a cheap bass. I'll change the jack for the locking Neutrik as the original is crap. Just bought a set of Roto 66's 45 - 105 to try instead of the heavy playing 77 Monel's. I've lust looked and the bridge lends itself to being drilled and with the ferrules I've got It'll give me a string through option to try - I was going to drill through and exit the strings on the edge of the bass next to the strap button for a shallow string to bridge saddle angle - should be a bit of fun if nothing else - even if it makes no difference at all to the tone

[jezzaboy]

Something to note is if you go for strung thru, you may need longer strings.

Or mabye not.

[jackers]

In my, and many other people's, experiences, stringing through the body makes absolutely no difference to the sound. It MAY help the provide some extra support if the bass is really badly made, (though I've not come across a newer bass that needed it), but it isn't going to change the sound of the bass. Save yourself the hassle IMO.

As far as amps go, if you just want to record, then just DI the bass into the mixing desk/computer. Micing up bass amps can be tricky, and unless you have a couple of decent mics, it won't sound all that brilliant.

As for the strings, that will depend on the kind of tone you want. If you are recording some soul/motown, then flats will be great, if you want to record some heavy stuff, then roundwounds are generally favoured. (There are, ofcourse, exceptions to this, but it still works as a general rule.)

[paul_5]

One of the best guitars I ever recorded was a Westfield SG copy. Leave it as is. A good quality pre would perhaps be a better use of your cash if you're looking to record.

[Zenitram]

I bought a Westfield P bass a couple of days ago for £30. It's a plywood body, and the electrics are a bit shaky, but it sounds great. Thirty quid!

[mcnach]

No, not worth the hassle for stringthrough.

I bought a Westfield Jazz for £40 a few years ago, fully intending to replace at least the pickups... but it was nice enough as it was. The body was solid wood, not sure what, regardless... it was good. I gigged with it a few times and it even features on a DVD
If it feels nice and you like the sound... that's all you need.

I personally detest locking jack sockets, 'though. If the original is not making good contact or feels a bit loose... I'd replace it, but for a smiliar one, just of good quality. BUt that's me.

Edited March 15, 2013 by mcnach

[Haemasmtha]

Thanks again for the advice guys.
If it sounds good leave it is probably very sensible - my problem is I just love a project and can't stop messing with stuff - always for the better though
I'll fit the locking Neutrik and leave it alone as tone wise for a cheap guitar it sounds pretty damn good..
Sounded alright on Planet Caravan last night ( 3 notes ) and the deconstructed DnB Meyer style.

- I'll save the string through for my next project.... You guys will really think " what a xxxxxx" on the next one - I can hardly bring myself to reveal what I've just bought ..... 30.00 quid....Stagg J bass rip off..... crying out to be messed with.
You'll have heard it all before and you will go aaarggghh! not again
BUT.... it's a lefty .... haha haha mirror world reverse body madness here we come

[xilddx]

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1363292433' post='2011248']
No.

G.
[/quote]
+1

[DarkHeart]

I had a Westfield T/bird and i thought it sounded great but i wasnt a big fan of the neck it was too sticky with sweaty hands apart from that and the balance problem which was cured with a suade strap it was a really nice bass.

[Haemasmtha]

Balance wise - I've moved the button to the neck back and I wrap my strap over the body at the bottom end. As for the neck - I agree - I'm going to take some wire wool to it at some point.
It's not a bad guitar and for the 50.00 quid I paid it sounds good - pots and blending the weak pickups are an issue but w t hell it was 50 quid - not that cheap matters - sound matters - and if it's cheap it suits me