For you, what is the killer component part on a bass?

[tj1]

Looking at replaceable items like tuners, bridges, pick ups or even colour; what is the most important part a guitar for individual members?

For me, I think it is the bridge. 1. Because it is essentially non adjustable 2. Because I think(don't actually know) that it is the part under greatest constant stress. 3. Because unlike the tuners or pickups it is usually a manufacturers signature own item, rather than bought in from an outside company.

 

[Golem]

Fingerboard.

Material feeds tone, radius affects playing.

 

[five7]

Neck, I like low action.

 

[danny-79]

Playability and overall feel

 

[tj1]

Neck, I like low action.

I agree, the neck's vital. But I was asking about vital components that could easily be junked/recycled, if they were blocking overall playability and sound.

FYI - I don't know much at all about guitar construction, but I am reassured by the indelible way that the fancy music man logo is stamped on the bridge. So this would be the last resort if I was not happy with the guitar, silly but true.

 

[MarcMurder]

being smallish/ergonomic, either the neck being "flatter" with a tighter spacing and or the body being smaller. TBH I dont even play my stingray special because its just too fat and the neck feels clunky to me.

 

[danny-79]

I agree, the neck's vital. But I was asking about vital components that could easily be junked/recycled, if they were blocking overall playability and sound.

FYI - I don't know much at all about guitar construction, but I am reassured by the indelible way that the fancy music man logo is stamped on the bridge. So this would be the last resort if I was not happy with the guitar, silly but true.

Pickups and preamps are usually the heart and soul of it so changing one or the other or both is the most drastic action to turn it into something else.
Hardware such as bridge, tuners the effect is minimal in overall sound but still noticeable.
Changing the nut material is possibly the smallest change you can make for huge difference in sound. Then there is the wood type and the effect all of the individual components on that wood both in neck and body.
Change one thing it will effect something else in either a positive or negative way.

If the first thing you think when looking at buying a new bass is, what can I change or mod on it. Build something from parts. That will give you the best hands on understanding of what’s what, then when you do get another EBMM the only thing you will want to change on it is the strings now and again

 

[bovinehost]

Knobs.

 

[ivbenaplayin]

Strings.

 

[Mu5icM@n]

The strings. Behind that is pickups and electronics. But the fastest way to make your bass sound totally different is to put a different strings on. Like the zingy sound of new rounds or moving from rounds to flats or vice versa, or even nickel to stainless, the strings dramatically affect the tone.

 

[Samoht]

The pickup and pickup placement.

 

[drewk]

The preamp, it’s the heart of the bass afterall!