Am I Insane?

[Retrovertigo]

I suppose the scenario will answer the question.
There is a 30th Ann. at a local shop. I've been thinking about buying it and moving the pickup to the P-bass position...
God help me.

 

[mynan]

Yes, that would be insane...especially since you could buy a regular SR4 HH or HS and achieve your goal without killing the resale value of the 30th.

 

[strummer]

I suppose the scenario will answer the question.
There is a 30th Ann. at a local shop. I've been thinking about buying it and moving the pickup to the P-bass position...
God help me.

Yes you are really insane. You know the pick up sits in that prosition for a reason, and it's not because it looks cool.

 

[Raimond S]

Troll alert!

 

[Dr Stankface]

Troll alert!

Calling him a troll because he just asked a question? Not a good way to welcome new members.

Welcome to the forum! I personally don't think that'd be a good idea. It'll ruin the resale value and from my experience, the sweet spot is the best spot for that bucker.

Although, it's your instrument and we can't really tell you what to do and what not to do. I just wouldn't recommend it.

 

[mynan]

I think if he were a troll, he probably would have told us that he moved the pickup and improved the sound of the bass.

 

[AnthonyD]

To each his own...



But to do that to a 30th Anniversary Stingray?



Certifiable...

 

[bovinehost]

I wouldn't do it because I think where that humbucker sits helps to make it sound like a Stingray. If you move the pickup to the P spot, it's not going to sound like a P or a Ray.

But I do salute the Mad Scientist approach....I might choose another (non-Anniversary model) instrument to experiment with, though.

Jack

 

[maddog]

I say go for it.

but if you do, make sure it never sees the light of ebay. You'll never hear the end of it.

 

[Freddels]

I don't have an HH to measure the neck pickup position route but my idea would be get a double H model, remove the neck pickup and drop in a split coil P pickup and then get a new pickguard made to cover the hole. Then if you ever want to sell the bass, it could easily be put back into the original config without permanently ruining the instrument.

Just looking at a HH pic, it looks like the neck pickup route might be just a little more closer to the neck than the "regular" P pickup position but this idea still might work.

 

[koogie2k]

If you buy it....do what you want with it. Modifying an instrument to YOUR taste is YOUR right to do so.

Personally, I would not do it. But, that is me. These instruments are built to sound how they sound...but, it would truly be yours and yours alone.

 

[oli@bass]

Some people also use shrimp cocktails as ashtrays.

 

[angryclown5]

You might want to look around for an old G&L L-1000.

 

[PzoLover]

Look up, look waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay up

I suppose the scenario will answer the question.
There is a 30th Ann. at a local shop. I've been thinking about buying it and moving the pickup to the P-bass position...
God help me.

hey retro, I think you're right in asking a higher power for some guidance .. that is truly some evil temptation that's troubling you,
all the bass, anywaze,
/PL

 

[Aussie Mark]

You could always buy a P bass and replace the stock pup with a Stingray pickup

 

[Retrovertigo]

Yes you are really insane. You know the pick up sits in that prosition for a reason, and it's not because it looks cool.

Sorry to post and run.

I realize it is there for a reason. I'm just looking for a different tone. It seems that I have Chronic Instrument Modification Syndrome. Luckily my SR5HH is about 98% satisfactory, so it hasn't been subjected to any travesty.
As for resale value, I don't sell basses. I just mod them to taste.

Many apologies if I ruffled any feathers. It took all my will power to not buy that bass on the spot, without even plugging it in. That model is amazing. Can't justify another Stingray-sounding bass at the moment.

As for the the G&L L-1000, if you tell me it has a similar feeling neck I'll keep a look out.
Thanks for the replies.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I'm just curious as to what you think will happen if you move the pickup an inch.

Lord knows I have no fear of modifying something I own, but there has been a demonstrative difference with every mod I've done.

The amount of effort and destruction necessary to move the pickup that small of an amount seems like a poor ROI.

 

[Retrovertigo]

I'm just curious as to what you think will happen if you move the pickup an inch.

Lord knows I have no fear of modifying something I own, but there has been a demonstrative difference with every mod I've done.

The amount of effort and destruction necessary to move the pickup that small of an amount seems like a poor ROI.

That's what I'd like to find out. I suppose I'm looking for a naturally deeper sound, but not as hollow as the current neck position on the HH.
But really, I don't truly know what it would do.

My Fender is a perfect example of my 'defect'. Started life with active electronics, P-bass and JJ pickups. Stock P was replaced with Bartolinis > Active electronics were removed > Rosewood fingerboard defretted and epoxied > Fretted maple board installed > JJ disconnected leaving it P-Vol-Output.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Well, if you are looking for a "naturally deeper sound" the last thing you want to do is start with a bass with a mahogany body, which is very punchy.

Your Fender description sounds like something from the Island of Dr Moreau.


If you really want to experiment, knock yourself out. But I strongly suggest you do it with a bass that is not limited edition, wholly unique in the EBMM landscape and essentially "out of print" as it were. Especially when the fundamentals don't go with your desired outcome from the beginning.

 

[MrMusashi]

i will cry if you mod a 30th!!

like its been said: its your bass and you are free to do whatever you wish with it.. but please try a bongo hh before you go doin something to your 30th!!!!!

or ebay a dinged up, beyond rescue sr4 and do the mod on that one.. who knows, you might get lucky and find just a body you can have your way with

MrM