Big tone upgrade, very noticeable. High mass bridges make a big difference, I like the Badass II on my Jazz bass but they’re no more now. Id describe the tone as being more piano like, three dimensional.
I have the same bass in buttercream. First, the neck and fretboard are two different pieces of wood but no big deal there. I loved the original pickups but I did upgrade them to the EMG GBR because I had them. They are passive and sound amazing!. I have a high-mass bridge that would fit but I love the vintage look of the original bridge so I left it as is. So far I love this bass as much as my 2016 Fender American Standard P bass which I did upgrade to the same EMG GBR pickup. The white-on-white with maple fretboard looks great btw. FYI the EMG pickups are solderless for easy installation.
This was like seeing old friends. I miss my P-Bass and it's good to see a Sharpen my Axe vid. Thank you Phil for bringing us 'the Thunder'. KYG Rocks! \m/
Most basses have far more sustain than a bass player needs. Which is why bass players do a lot of muting when they play. Getting long sustain times is something that’s more of a concern for guitarists than bassists. Different roles = different instruments, different requirements. :-)
The 2023 version of Sharpen My Ax!!! Phillip, I would love for you to make more vids like this, I would like to send you a guitar to feature as well. Great video!!
Hmmm,...now you've got me thinking about my MIM Player J-bass, Phil. It's stock, and quite decent, but perhaps an upgrade or two could be in order :-) Anyway, thanks for an informative video. John now has a really excellent bass.
I'm getting a Partscaster built with leftover Strat parts. MIM mixed with an MJT closet clean body. Eventually, I'd like to improve or change the neck and pickups. Ideas...do a video on a similar guitar perhaps?! Be watching out Phillip! Cheers!
Thanks for posting this Phil. I just recently purchased a Squier Jazz bass so I could have a bass on hand. I was thinking of doing most of these as well (Swap for noisless pickups, high mass bridge and change the output jack) but I'm not sure if it's worth it to spend all that money on mods for a Squier that's basically just a side instrument. It's one of the newer 40th anniversary models and already really nice as is. I may end up only replacing the pickups with noiseless ones to get rid of the hum and eventually replacing the jack and pots if they start to fail.
Probably better to start with a Squier CV P-bass with the same mods. Hard to justify the additional $$ if you're going to change the pups, bridge, output jack and knobs anyway. All that's left is the pots - another $30.
What did the string height/action end up at on the 12 fret? That's a stunning sounding P-Bass after the mods. I've had my eye on that Dimarzio pickup for a while now.
My 2018 MIM Mustang PJ bass had black paint in the control pocket. I tested it. Nothing. No continuity. Fake shielding paint! I bought some real stuff and painted it myself.
Serious question fellas.... how do I talk my wife from Mexico to get Made in Mexico tattooed on the back of her neck i the same font...? Dinner and a movie? Or just flowers... etc.
In my opinion, the only upgrade this bass really needed were the electronics. I can't believe a Fender branded instrument would come with such flat and dull sounding pickups. It practically sounds like a Squier, I'd be unhappy if I paid sticker price for it
probably the best video i’ve seen on the channel. i can’t believe how much better it sounded especially given it had to go through youtube to my phone. I’d love to see more videos like this. Do a 335 style guitar next!
Hi Phil, I owe you two thank yous. First, I watched your review of an EART Telecaster copy and bought one. That is one sweet guitar right of the box! I haven't had to do anything to it, other than play it. ;-)) The really impressive feature, as you said, is the fret work. I have had several brand name guitars over the years, since 1962. The EART's fret work is the best I've ever seen. Second, after watching your repair videos and those of others, I bought several other under $200 guitars and put the time into them to finish them and sometimes swap out/upgrade components that the manufacturer didn't do. What started out as decent guitars ended up being excellent instruments. And I've learned to work on them in the process. Plus I now have a nice tool kit of luthier tools and the skills to use them. Again, thank you so much for your reviews and training. May you be blessed as you have blessed others! Shalom/gw .
Here's a video I'd like to see: Shielding Paint before and after... With decent pickups, I've never had an issue without painted cavities. If the pickups squeal, no amount of shielding will help.
@Timdoeswork Thats because shielding paint can be harder to ensure no gaps and to make sure there is continuity between all painted parts unless you use a multimeter to check. With the shielding tape (aslong as it has conductive adhesive) you can more certainly be sure there will be a connection everywhere as it can be overlapped in spots and is more tangible to the general person than paint. I only shielded my strat about a week ago and it definitely reduced some of the noise, I looked at paint but it seems like more hassle than its worth compared to tape.
Excuse me if I missed something but I don’t remember him saying it would change anything, it’s just protection if you find yourself playing where there is a “dirty” power supply.
When is the video coming that you promised would be up in January regarding the guitar that is under $300 but incredibly good? You teased it, but now you ignore comments related to it. Did you change your opinion?
I have a 69 Fender Precision w/Jazz Neck at the time custom color, Ocean Turqoise, block inlay on rosewood neck/bought at the music store I worked for in 1969. 2024 and Fender Custom Shop says "Sorry we won't touch it because you don't have a receipt"; although I do have owners manual with name of "E Paxton", only Custom Shop in Colorado is HB Woodsong, Boulder. I thought Fender had control of their channel. I believe Woodsong is telling Fender that no receipt, no work. Moving away from Fender. If they wouldn't do this to a Senior, think what they'll do to you. Buyer Beware. I will post this on other sites selling Fender.
I love these kinds of videos, Phil. As many others have said, it got me to start doing my own work on my gear and it's such a great feeling when you get done.
Love the mods videos. Here’s a video I would like to see because this is the problem I have. My new telecaster low e, a, and to some degree d strings buzz when being fretted. They don’t buzz open. I checked all the frets and they are level. I raised the action to 2.0 @ 12th fret. I checked the neck relief and it’s good. Still there is buzzing, so much so that you can hear it coming through the amp. I also lowered the pickup just in case. Searching the web all that comes up is fret buzz, but that’s not it. Could it be the truss rod being loose inside the neck? Please help!
Man, that pickup change made a simply gigantic difference. For anyone wondering, it's about $130 worth of pickups-well worth it, from the difference in tone. The made-in-America P-Bass doesn't sound that good, and you'd spend a lot more than $130 to step up to that bass!
So since this is a Bass you are “sharpening” instead of a guitar, ….. does this mean a new title for these instrument improvement videos is warranted? 🤔 “Polish My Hammer”?
Feels like it's been forever since we got a bass video! The low end community thanks you. I think this might be the first pbass on your channel too. Appreciate it!
More Bass videos please. A lot of us guitarists have a bass in the house too. I watched alot of bass videos but hearing it from a trusted source make it so much better. One question did you play bass BEFORE you picked up a guitar? You killed it.😃
Why is sustain so important? Do you ever actually use three tied whole notes when performing? A white P-Bass with a b/w/b pickguard and a maple fingerboard looks great.
Great vid. Any idea what is the purpose of that round hole with green sticker inside? My Big Apple Strat has one under pick guard, minus the green sticker.
Hey Phil , any thoughts on the Spector Performer 4 Bass, I'm a guitar player for 30 years and needed a Bass, I always loved Spector from the 90s, but I don't ever see anyone showing them any love lol. Only thing I did was copper shield it. It has a high mass bridge already, sorta . I was thinking about doing a brass nut on it. Not many people see. To review that stuff. 3 of my Floyd Rose guitars all have Fu-tone Brass big blocks and Titanium hardware, I know the difference that stuff makes, just not with the Bass stuff so much.
The smile on Phil's face when he rolled the tone back warmed my heart. That was a face of true enjoyment.
I think he was smiling at the hundreds and hundreds of dollars in 3rd party peripherals he threw at his Mexican bass.
In my opinion, the bass did not need modifications. But of course your mileage may vary
Phil wasn’t kidding, this channel is off to a real hot start in 2023
Big tone upgrade, very noticeable. High mass bridges make a big difference, I like the Badass II on my Jazz bass but they’re no more now.
Id describe the tone as being more piano like, three dimensional.
What a striking difference that made! I’m amazed. I need to do that to my P.
I have the same bass in buttercream. First, the neck and fretboard are two different pieces of wood but no big deal there. I loved the original pickups but I did upgrade them to the EMG GBR because I had them. They are passive and sound amazing!. I have a high-mass bridge that would fit but I love the vintage look of the original bridge so I left it as is. So far I love this bass as much as my 2016 Fender American Standard P bass which I did upgrade to the same EMG GBR pickup. The white-on-white with maple fretboard looks great btw. FYI the EMG pickups are solderless for easy installation.
This was like seeing old friends. I miss my P-Bass and it's good to see a Sharpen my Axe vid. Thank you Phil for bringing us 'the Thunder'. KYG Rocks! \m/
Love the upgrades, Phil!
I installed that same Day Ross bridge on the last bass I made last year. I definitely will use them again!
The P Bass is THE only bass anyone needs. Change my mind.
That's like saying all guitarists just need an esquire
Most basses have far more sustain than a bass player needs. Which is why bass players do a lot of muting when they play. Getting long sustain times is something that’s more of a concern for guitarists than bassists. Different roles = different instruments, different requirements. :-)
You're right! But still, it's nice to see an experienced player reflect on how upgrades change playability
Eh maybe for genres like blues or motown, but definitely don't speak for all bass players. I like my notes to ring out for minutes if I want them
Dude, bass videos may not get the views but this is gold! Thanks Phil
Wow! Never seen the Ray Ross bridge. That looks super cool. Killer upgrades!
That's a very cool bridge. I never heard of that bridge before. Thanks Phil for showing us that. I may buy one.
Good stuff. So glad it was for a bass too! I've never seen that bridge before, but I love it. Setting intonation looks like a snap.
Never watched a video about a bass before. This was cool. Definately sounded bolder.
Just found your channel, I love this video. Please keep making videos upgrading different guitsrs and basses.
I have a Dimarzio Split P in mine. Absolutely monstrous
The 2023 version of Sharpen My Ax!!! Phillip, I would love for you to make more vids like this, I would like to send you a guitar to feature as well. Great video!!
those DiMarzios gave the bass life and a nice punch.wish we can heard it with more gain and some distortion.
I'm definitely going to try that bridge and those pickups.
Great vid!
Simple & informative. Very, very nice. Thx……
Cool video, Phil! I’ve never seen one of those saddle-less bridges. Very interesting.
Phil, basses rule! I love these mods. They seem ideal for my Yamaha.
Can't stop watching that shirt, I need one like that.
i like that powder blue number to the right, your left ;)
Hello! Could you please make a new updated "Who makes who" video?
Hoping we see that custom shop flop vid mentioned on the livestream
Love Dimarzios!
Not so familiar with bass mods, is changing the nut not that necessary or this MIM's nut is good enough?
uncanny, just yesterday I was talking to one of my best friends about upgrading his PBass!!
I’m watching this on my phone and can’t see properly. But is Phil using a James Jameson “The Claw” single finger style approach on that P-Bass? 🦀
Hmmm,...now you've got me thinking about my MIM Player J-bass, Phil. It's stock, and quite decent, but perhaps an upgrade or two could be in order :-) Anyway, thanks for an informative video. John now has a really excellent bass.
Wow I never know you could get little sleeves for the pot shafts in order to use dome knobs
I'm getting a Partscaster built with leftover Strat parts. MIM mixed with an MJT closet clean body. Eventually, I'd like to improve or change the neck and pickups. Ideas...do a video on a similar guitar perhaps?! Be watching out Phillip! Cheers!
I must admit I am a bit jealous. I just bought a new les paul and I didn't know I could send it to Phil and get the upgrades done?
Great idea for a video, thanks!
There's a blue sparkle guitar behind you. Is that a Luke 3?
Thanks for posting this Phil. I just recently purchased a Squier Jazz bass so I could have a bass on hand.
I was thinking of doing most of these as well (Swap for noisless pickups, high mass bridge and change the output jack) but I'm not sure if it's worth it to spend all that money on mods for a Squier that's basically just a side instrument.
It's one of the newer 40th anniversary models and already really nice as is. I may end up only replacing the pickups with noiseless ones to get rid of the hum and eventually replacing the jack and pots if they start to fail.
Probably better to start with a Squier CV P-bass with the same mods. Hard to justify the additional $$ if you're going to change the pups, bridge, output jack and knobs anyway. All that's left is the pots - another $30.
I actually like fender pickup better but the dimarzio sounds good too
@PhillipMcKnight I was surprised there was no capaictor in back with the knobs. What gives?
Are those brass shafts for the knobs sold separately?
I Have a Squier Bass VI coming tomorrow... I planned on upgrading... Do you have any tips ?
Isn't this a Sharpen My Axe?
What did the string height/action end up at on the 12 fret?
That's a stunning sounding P-Bass after the mods. I've had my eye on that Dimarzio pickup for a while now.
yeah!!! Sharpen my axe is back!!!
SWEET!
Hey Phil - is the Rumble your primary bass amp?
My 2018 MIM Mustang PJ bass had black paint in the control pocket. I tested it. Nothing. No continuity. Fake shielding paint! I bought some real stuff and painted it myself.
😊👍👍👍👍
Is it worth it? Still MIM and does'nt add any value.Just saying.
Serious question fellas.... how do I talk my wife from Mexico to get Made in Mexico tattooed on the back of her neck i the same font...? Dinner and a movie? Or just flowers... etc.
How to improve a P Bass? Get a Mike Lull one 😎
BIG improvement! Nice 1 Phil!
Good to see you actually doing some bass stuff, you looked very happy doing it
In my opinion, the only upgrade this bass really needed were the electronics. I can't believe a Fender branded instrument would come with such flat and dull sounding pickups. It practically sounds like a Squier, I'd be unhappy if I paid sticker price for it
Why do bass players never turn up for their second bass lesson? ----> Because they're too busy performing at their first gig. *** BOOM BOOM BOOM ****
probably the best video i’ve seen on the channel. i can’t believe how much better it sounded especially given it had to go through youtube to my phone. I’d love to see more videos like this. Do a 335 style guitar next!
I audibly cheered when Phil took out those DiMarzio Sixties P pickups! WOOO!
I could never get enough of Phil's bass playing, he's a such a funky player, would love to hear Phil lead rhythm section.
I'm mainly a guitar man, but I also have a Mexican P bass and I love it…. But now, I'm going to have to upgrade it. Damn. That sounded so sweet!
Hi Phil, I owe you two thank yous. First, I watched your review of an EART Telecaster copy and bought one. That is one sweet guitar right of the box! I haven't had to do anything to it, other than play it. ;-)) The really impressive feature, as you said, is the fret work. I have had several brand name guitars over the years, since 1962. The EART's fret work is the best I've ever seen. Second, after watching your repair videos and those of others, I bought several other under $200 guitars and put the time into them to finish them and sometimes swap out/upgrade components that the manufacturer didn't do. What started out as decent guitars ended up being excellent instruments. And I've learned to work on them in the process. Plus I now have a nice tool kit of luthier tools and the skills to use them. Again, thank you so much for your reviews and training. May you be blessed as you have blessed others! Shalom/gw
.
Great job! I was surprise though: No nut replacement? Not important with a bass?
The best way to improve a fender p bass is to trade it for a stingray.
G&L has been improving the Fender P-bass for over 44 years...
Here's a video I'd like to see: Shielding Paint before and after... With decent pickups, I've never had an issue without painted cavities. If the pickups squeal, no amount of shielding will help.
it is to create a faraday cage in the cavity, so your wires won't pick up outside interference, it doesn't change the sound at all.
@Timdoeswork Thats because shielding paint can be harder to ensure no gaps and to make sure there is continuity between all painted parts unless you use a multimeter to check. With the shielding tape (aslong as it has conductive adhesive) you can more certainly be sure there will be a connection everywhere as it can be overlapped in spots and is more tangible to the general person than paint. I only shielded my strat about a week ago and it definitely reduced some of the noise, I looked at paint but it seems like more hassle than its worth compared to tape.
You have to use multiple coats over a couple days. Kind of a drag, but it works.
Excuse me if I missed something but I don’t remember him saying it would change anything, it’s just protection if you find yourself playing where there is a “dirty” power supply.
Same.
When is the video coming that you promised would be up in January regarding the guitar that is under $300 but incredibly good? You teased it, but now you ignore comments related to it. Did you change your opinion?
I have a 69 Fender Precision w/Jazz Neck at the time custom color, Ocean Turqoise, block inlay on rosewood neck/bought at the music store I worked for in 1969. 2024 and Fender Custom Shop says "Sorry we won't touch it because you don't have a receipt"; although I do have owners manual with name of "E Paxton", only Custom Shop in Colorado is HB Woodsong, Boulder. I thought Fender had control of their channel. I believe Woodsong is telling Fender that no receipt, no work. Moving away from Fender. If they wouldn't do this to a Senior, think what they'll do to you. Buyer Beware. I will post this on other sites selling Fender.
You are so sweet! I would let you make any modifications to my guitar any day. You are a good guy, Phil!
I love these kinds of videos, Phil. As many others have said, it got me to start doing my own work on my gear and it's such a great feeling when you get done.
The easiest way is to trade it for a different brand. I'm not anti-Fender just against bad QC.
Do you miss slappin da bass?
Best GUITAR reviews on TH-cam.!
Man, I could watch guitar-nerd stuff like this all day. Oh wait, I already do lol!
You never fail to amaze me with your bass playing
I really enjoyed this video. I love your simple upgrade choices.
Did you end up adjusting the truss rod or did you leave the neck relief as is?
what a difference in sound, I don't know how I feel about those initial windings being part of the scale length with that bridge however
Came here to say this. Probably feels weird to play back by the bridge. Certainly looks weird.
I recently got one of these in capri orange. I added a black hipshot himass bridge and other black hardware. The tuners just came in today. 😁
Love the mods videos. Here’s a video I would like to see because this is the problem I have. My new telecaster low e, a, and to some degree d strings buzz when being fretted. They don’t buzz open. I checked all the frets and they are level. I raised the action to 2.0 @ 12th fret. I checked the neck relief and it’s good. Still there is buzzing, so much so that you can hear it coming through the amp. I also lowered the pickup just in case. Searching the web all that comes up is fret buzz, but that’s not it. Could it be the truss rod being loose inside the neck? Please help!
I always learn something from your videos. Great info😊
Great to see an unlabeled sharpen my axe return.
Haha someone finally figured out how to make Phil play bass on the channel
Just a hunch but I bet John keeps those fantastic mods.... good video Phill
Man, that pickup change made a simply gigantic difference. For anyone wondering, it's about $130 worth of pickups-well worth it, from the difference in tone. The made-in-America P-Bass doesn't sound that good, and you'd spend a lot more than $130 to step up to that bass!
Wow! Night and day difference from the crummy fender pick ups and Dimarzio ..that Bass is now legit and ready for its first gig!
oh my god the bridge and knobs are hideous :D great video tho!
So since this is a Bass you are “sharpening” instead of a guitar, ….. does this mean a new title for these instrument improvement videos is warranted? 🤔 “Polish My Hammer”?
Feels like it's been forever since we got a bass video! The low end community thanks you. I think this might be the first pbass on your channel too. Appreciate it!
Very cool bass! Nice work you did on it Phil.
More Bass videos please. A lot of us guitarists have a bass in the house too. I watched alot of bass videos but hearing it from a trusted source make it so much better. One question did you play bass BEFORE you picked up a guitar? You killed it.😃
Why is sustain so important? Do you ever actually use three tied whole notes when performing? A white P-Bass with a b/w/b pickguard and a maple fingerboard looks great.
That bridge and píckups are quite an upgrade. Looks and sounds killer now!
Weird. I've had a Player Jazz Bass from 2019 and its maple fingerboard is a separate piece from the maple neck.
I really want to try one of these bridges. Not cheap, but unique in the way it works.
Great vid. Any idea what is the purpose of that round hole with green sticker inside? My Big Apple Strat has one under pick guard, minus the green sticker.
Hey Phil , any thoughts on the Spector Performer 4 Bass, I'm a guitar player for 30 years and needed a Bass, I always loved Spector from the 90s, but I don't ever see anyone showing them any love lol. Only thing I did was copper shield it. It has a high mass bridge already, sorta . I was thinking about doing a brass nut on it. Not many people see. To review that stuff. 3 of my Floyd Rose guitars all have Fu-tone Brass big blocks and Titanium hardware, I know the difference that stuff makes, just not with the Bass stuff so much.
Really awesome upgrades! Completely altered the clarity of the sound. Dig your style, Phillip! 🎸👊😎
PHILLIP, How can I get you to evaluate and do this with a Fender American Pro II P-Bass …as a comparison of Squire vs Fender build quality (?)
I don't play any musical instrument. But I love music. And I find this channel to be Awesome.