Question Why no modding?

[MrChedda]

I can edit the "usual questions" sticky - good idea. Although it will probably be along the lines of "Should I consider an aftermarket pickup" "NO."

Lol, sounds good. Thanks man.

 

[lovechick]

This seems pretty clear to me. I think a lot of folks, at least back in the day before we had tons of EBMM models to choose from, went to the Stingray or Sterling for that Stingray tone. No need to mod it. In fact, I thought it strange when one of the pickup companies started making SR replacement pickups in the mid-90s.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Only mods I have to to any of my balls are straplocks and Titanium saddles on one of my guitars.

The guitar guys will often swop pickups but I like the stock ones supplied.

 

[lowliferumble]

I too, used to mod every bass I ever owned. Then I realized ,I was modding them all to be more "Stingray like". So I figure let the experts do it for me. I mean , I like to improve my mind , but I have never thought about doing "at home Brain surgery"..I'm just saying..

 

[danny-79]

Just added strap locks to mine an thats about all that i can think of that Ive changed, oh did have a Hipshot on briefly but took it off.
Modding is defiantly fun to do but cant think of anything to change for the better, its all been done straight from the factory as far as I'm concerned, have debated changing things just for the sake of it just to see but as pointed out in an earlier post, the new parts that you have brought are most likely to be taken back off an end up on ebay.

 

[TheAntMan]

I personally think you should do whatever you want to your own stuff in order to make it do what you want it to do.

While I wholeheartedly agree with this, I have not found anything to change as I am still learning to fine tune the amazing EQ options on the EBMM basses I have.

I have seen some very cool and interesting mods to EBMMs (Colors, and coil switching) but have no desire at this point to make any changes. The tones I am getting are still blowing me away.

I was a Jbass player for years (only basses I played) and now don't own any. Not a path for all but that is the thing with EBMMs; once you get into the range of tones and the unique voice that they have you tend to get a bit hooked on them.

Anyway, with my Jbass, I changed out the pickups and electronics, the bridge and control knobs. So far on my EBMMs only changed the pickguard to a clear so the color can stand out and the strings from EB Slinkies to either EB Group III flats or EB Coated Slinkies. Oh, yeah, also added EB Straplocks

As Jack said it is your choice but this is about EBMM and just as you wouldn't go to your mother-in-laws for dinner and start telling the family around the table how much better your mom cooks; it would be poor decorum to do the same here.

--Ant

 

[cellkirk74]

how do you "upgrade" a bongo? you dont, you spend a good long while playing it and attempting to rise to its level.

What he said!

Even with my 2 band Stingray with mutes that I own since 1992, it took 18 years for me to find out about the benefits of the mutepads (a little less bass, but surprising low mids). The 4 band EQ is a huge toolbox of surprises.

 

[Big Poppa]

My two cents......whatever you need to either make better music or feel better about your playing. The problems with mods is

1 90 percent of the time they are not executed with the same forethought or quality as we use

2. The person decides that they don't like it but have either sold the old parts or routed the bass causing permanent loss of value

If you do mod please look for the most qualified tech and make sure they don't alter the basis routing and save your old parts either for you or the next owner

 

[Mabongohogany]

MY Sterling H- (natural, tort, maple board)
and my Bongo (fawgeddaboudit)

Will not be mod'ed, even if pried from my cold, dead hands!

Really.I mean it. What's not to like?!

 

[syciprider]

Fender is like the Lego of the bass world.

IMO, part of the reason why folks mod their Ps and Js and why the "boutique" clone makers prosper is that Fender never really advanced the core design of the bass guitar; modding or buying a super Jazz allows the player to bring the instrument up to speed with their needs.
OTOH you got EBMM who found their niche in pushing the envelope. To me this negates the need to mod an EB because I can just look up and down the line of models to find a configuration that will suit my needs.

 

[JayDawg]

The only way I would ever mod one of my basses is if a part broke and I had to replace it. On my non EBMM basses I would consider aftermarket pickups and that is it. On my EBMM basses, it would be a call to customer service and then get the bass shipped to them for repair.

 

[toomanyslurpees]

Yeh, I think if there were licenced parts out there from aftermarket companies you would see more modding, not 'cause we need to but just cause we can, that being said I don't feel like there's a void for that stuff being that i don't think there's a single weak link or anything I can improve upon on any of my three stingrays. I'm also glad EBMM doesn't take the route of certain other manufactures. I have one very well worn Stingray and when I gig with it the gear snob in me knows that the fellow gear snobs in the room aren`t assuming that aging took place in a Mexican factory. I know that nobody can buy all the parts of my bass from a washington state factory that would end up kicking my bass`s pants, `cause those parts aren`t for sale and because the parts that make up my bass are top quality (I have parts on order to build a tele that I`m confident will be a much better tele than I could buy for the same money from the actual manufacturer, which is why I didn`t buy it from the actual manufacturer)

 

[MadMatt]

For me it was simply I modded the heck out of my non-EBMM bass looking for the EBMM sound... After buying the original I lost the desire to mod. Although I did swap the PG on my Big Al.

Modding is a good learning experience though. I would recommend to anyone they buy a cheap bass and try stuff out.

-Matt

 

[tkarter]

Both my Bongos have modified themselves. The point on the head stock is dulled a bit.

tk

 

[ivbenaplayin]

Oh, and at one place I worked in my old job, we had a repair shop run by United States Marines. They had a sign that said, "If it ain't broke, we'll fix it until it is."

That's funny... it wasn't by chance hanging next to the sign that said "we're not happy, until you're not happy" was it?

 

[Rano Bass]

bongo 6 anyone?? how do you "upgrade" a bongo? you dont, you spend a good long while playing it and attempting to rise to its level.

What he said

Most of the mods are done to fender style basses IMO.

 

[Norm66]

Most of the mods are done to fender style basses IMO.

I think this is true. And up to now they have been my main point of reference. I appreciate all the feedback on my first topic.

Oh and BTW I did mod my SR5... Straplocks. EB of course.

Norm

 

[stoneboy26]

The previous owner of my SR5 replaced the preamp in it. I managed to find a stock pre for it but as yet have had no time to get it installed.

I also found that even with a F***** bass that I prefer it stock. I put my own together with what I wanted and it worked for me for a while, but now I have come to realise that I prefer a bass stock. Just works.

My Bongo and previous SR5 just worked stock too - better than any other basses I have owned.

 

[Alex001]

Do What Thou Wilt.

I personally think you should do whatever you want to your own stuff in order to make it do what you want it to do.

I absolutely agree, if you need (and I stress need here) to mod, then mod. It's that simple. It has nothing to do with the manufacturer. You need to get what YOU want out of the bass. Billy Sheehan took his original bass and literally chiseled out a place for an EB-0 style pickup to get what he wanted, and also started to scallop his upper frets with a dremel tool in a hotel room! He then proceeded to play that bass until it practically disintegrated. EVH couldn't find what he wanted, so he literally slapped a $100 neck on an $80 body, chiseled out a spot for a humbucker in the bridge position, spray painted the sucker, and went on to record 6 of the greatest rock records in history with it. (I admit, not necessarily a mod, more like home-brewed). You need a Badass bridge on your Ray? Go for it.

My two cents......whatever you need to either make better music or feel better about your playing. The problems with mods is

1 90 percent of the time they are not executed with the same forethought or quality as we use

Agreed, but if it works and gets something that YOU need, then I say mod away.

2. The person decides that they don't like it but have either sold the old parts or routed the bass causing permanent loss of value

Instruments are tools, not investments. They are a means to an end - that end being the music YOU want to create. If you are worrying about loss of value to your instrument and sacrificing your music for it, then something is wrong with the picture.

If you do mod please look for the most qualified tech and make sure they don't alter the basis routing and save your old parts either for you or the next owner

Good advice here about finding a good tech to help.

I have to agree though - modding a Bongo? Well, I suppose hardware if you wanted, but other than that, a stock Bongo is a sweet machine

 

[Big Poppa]

alex

thanks for the retort....the problem is that we get deluged with people who mod their stuff and then have remorse....much like the Tattoo removal parlor next door to the divorce atty...Also many people need to get rid of their last one to get the new one that helps them "make their music" Your point is well taken if budget is no option

Good rule of thumb is to try as hard as you can to find the instrument that is perfect....like a BONGO! haha