Best Budget Bass Upgrades!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ส.ค. 2022
- These are hands down the best budget friendly upgrades you can make to your bass. For more information about these products, or to make a purchase, please check the links below: (in order of appearance)
Bridge: www.gunsandguitars.net/produc...
blemished (cheaper) www.gunsandguitars.net/produc...
or purchase on Amazon here: amzn.to/3QysSh5
Vintage/Modern bass pickups (my custom version):
PJ set - www.gunsandguitars.net/produc...
J bass set - www.gunsandguitars.net/produc...
Epic Custom Shop bass pickups:
PJ1 set - epiccustomshop.com/product/pj...
PJ2 set - epiccustomshop.com/product/pj...
E1 J bass set - epiccustomshop.com/product/e1...
E2 J bass set - epiccustomshop.com/product/e2...
Bone nut: angled headstock: amzn.to/3Tg1INI
Flat headstock: amzn.to/3dDr1Zv
Wilkinson open gear bass tuning machines (hip shot ultra light clone):
2R+2L - amzn.to/3K2WArX
4R or 4L - amzn.to/3QCw5Mm
Larger fender size: amzn.to/3AxTXv9
Wiring diagram for this bass: www.gunsandguitars.net/produc...
DIY wiring kit: www.gunsandguitars.net/produc...
Pre-wired harness: www.gunsandguitars.net/produc...
Dioxit D5 electronics cleaner and preservative: amzn.to/3waVV1S
Fender Super 7250 bass strings: amzn.to/3pwHeT3
Chromacast bass strings: amzn.to/3QVM3Ru
Guitar Authority bass strings: www.playwithauthority.com/pro...
*Prices mentioned in this video are subject to change without notice, please check the links for current pricing.
Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate, and the links in this description are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, it doesn't cost you any more money, but I will earn a commission.
Here are the other videos I mention in this video:
How to install a bass bridge: • How to properly instal...
Epic Custom Shop bass pickups demo: • The BEST BASS pickups ...
Want a Guns and Guitars shirt? buy one here: gunsandguitars.net
Facebook: / gunsandguitarsofficial
Instagram @gunsandguitarsofficial
Support me on Patreon: / danthompson
Current Patrons (as of this video)
$5 Patrons:
Yosemite Sam
Mynameisnotjeff
David J Kitelinger
Derek Weathersbee
John Clark
Tanner Redman
David Morgan
David Vaughan
LesLamcke
Fabian Muresan
Alejandro Vega
Captain Rudy 4021
Chris Hopkins
Tony Butterworth
j
Ben Berscak
Jeff Savoie
Mike Bennett
PEEPEE POOPOO
Colin Jenison
Will Fowler
Aidan Peet
Matthew Renegar
Tommy Transplant
Aaron
Daniel Newman
Brian Wigton
Dave Speller
Elijah R Sell
Andrew Epperson
Jeffery A Fallon
Andrew Jeffries
Philip Honeycutt
Travis Blakely
Daniel Russell
Declan Fischer
Paul Messina
Joseph Lacroix
samuel ungeheier
Carlos A. Lizarraga R.
Chriz
Conor O’Doherty
James Populo
Ian Davies
Alex Trocker
Laramie Reg
Troy Thompson
JeffG
Sean Quigg
Dave Van Englehoven
Jamie Cucalon
Maro
Osel Rodrigues
David Anderson
Gerald Ringgold
Brian Brown
$10+ Patrons:
Adam West
Brandon Leafblad
Christopher Heath
john best
Nicholas
Peter Champlin
The Grapeman Reform
Marcus Warren
James Lamb
Koss Billingham
Drew Lawton
Jim Shepard
Mark Cockrell
William Herrera
Chris Thomason
John Morris
Patrick Emry
David Capp
Tim Chapin
Timothy Potter
Austin Hewlett
James Robers
Seth Johnson
James Shepard
Touch of Oops
Justin Setters
Jack Stow
Daniel Rota
Michael Fierro
Jeffery Maslan
Johnathan Simmonds
Wolfgang Widmer
James Campbell
Corey Muxlow
Casey Smalley
Tim Stephens
E
Matthew Caffell
Clint Walker
Drew
Al Philp
Robert Lewis
Jaden Bass
Rob Haag
Gregory Clark
JoshuaTroller
Josh Perez
Samuel Ungeheier
Background music made by Jordan Rowan of iMakeMusic
Audiojungle: audiojungle.net/user/imakemusic
The original sounds pretty lifeless. The post-upgrade sound is much more alive. Good job, Dan!
Before the upgrade the bass sounded kind of okay, a bit muffled maybe, but after you upgraded it, the sound just "opened up" and I think the combination of upgrades you chose for it gave the instrument a completely new life and voice. Excellent job.
Hi Dan, and all, I am going to take the opportunity here and now to thank you for all the videos you've made. The ones where you mod/upgrade guitars and bass put me and my wife on a path to revamp most of our guitars and basses one after the other. They sound and "feel" 10 times better. And as a bonus we refinish them to the way we like. You my friend are the biggest influence in this adventure which...as an other bonus...has created amazing projects for me and my wife to do together. Your videos on the tools needed to work the instruments got us thinking that our "average" quality instruments could become the best they can be. We work with what we have...and ...so far so good!! Thanks again from us up north!
Thanks so much for the encouragement! I’m so happy for you and your wife. What a fun hobby to have to share together. I wish my wife was into guitar building 😂
Amazing! I've been a bass player for over 33 years I enjoy this man's videos . I'm not very good at wiring or sodering etc. Watching him I've learned a few things.
I do hear more sustain after the upgrades. The pickups sound brighter not as muddy as the original pickups. Cool upgrades can’t wait to see the next video. 👍👍👍
I hear the increased output from the pickups and the extra life in the new strings. Great job Dan. I must have missed this video when you made it.
I like that you give really decent (honest) opinions on 'budget' gear like the bridge & tuners.
Great work Dan. Always practical, no BS! Thanks
Just got my Epic Custom Shop pickups! Installed and it’s like I have a new Bass! Love them!
The change is excellent, brighter, dynamic, very present. Great video.
I can't say that I heard better sustain from the bass after the upgrades, but man, was there a difference in volume and tone! Definitely worth the upgrades! You also gave me some ideas to consider for an Ibanez miKro bass in my collection!
I recently bought a Glarry P style Bass as my learning instrument. Will def consider these upgrades as I gain skills and crave a better sound. Thanks!
WoW Dan, that was incredible. The difference in sound is totally noticeable. Thank you for Sharing my brother.
The Fender 7250's are the exact strings I use! I love them! They are nickel plated steel hex core roundwound and they are the stock strings used on all Fender USA, Mexico and Japan models, in addition to all Squier basses. When Fender closed the Mexico string plant in 2010, all Fender strings manufacturing were transferred to the D'Addario company using Fender specifications and containing the colored ball ends. Great strings! I use medium string gauge .105"-.085"-.065"-.045"
A bit more sustain for sure, but the big improvement in articulation is where it sold me. Got a couple of cheapos here I may dial up now with your tips, thanks!
Wow,,,,a completely new bass. The original sounded completely subdued and quiet. It's now bright and far clearer. I actually have that exact bridge on it's way to me and was planning a quick swap on Sunday. I think I better figure out what I'm going to need to make it a drill through. I had never thought about the bridge being pulled off but it makes total sense. Thanks for all the great info.
Your reasoning is extremely sensible. Seems very logical and fair minded to me. Definitely a great salesman too. Might look into one of your customs!
Thanks for all these great educational videos man!
The original sounded much duller but not bad in any way, but the upgrades really opened it up and made it come to life. Excellent video Dan!
Very cool that you're gonna be selling those bridges on your site. All the mods make it sound like a completely new instrument. Those pickups are incredible. Shame ECS don't list 5 string Music Man pickups on their site.
Very useful, thanks - ordered two of those bridges straight off!
Nice upgrades. World of difference. I've drilled bridges like you did to give them a thru body string option. I don't mind drilling bent metal or machined brass types, but I avoid drilling cast or sintered bridges. So many import bridges are made of Zamak or other pot metal. I find drilling cheap castings to be iffy, especially if the casting has any porosity.
Wow. Those small improvements made a HUGE difference. Thank you for sharing!
small? he changed like everything about it
Great bass series! As usual…. Would love to see your buddy’s reaction, thoughts, and excitement etc.
Yes! Needed this video. Also looking to serve at my church as a bassist
Killer groove, this bass looks very much like my Yamaha trbx, thanks for all the tips.
This is a great video I will be checking out some of that product on Amazon to my basses
Great job! Loved the playing also! God bless !
Great upgrades. The sound is not overly modern. Still retains nice mid bass. 👍👍
Great video and absolutely true. I have a Squier Jaguar I completely rebuilt and I was absolutely floored by how much of a difference it made in tone. It went from a meh, willing to ruin it bass to being my "if I can only bring one to this gig" bass, and that's over my Fender Pro 2 Precision or my EB Musicman Stingray special. I also couldn't agree more about how strings effect tone. My P bass sounds like a completely different bass depending on whether I use round wounds or flats. I'd also add not all basses like all types of strings. While my P bass sounds amazing with LaBella flats, my stingray absolutely does not. She needs brighter stings that compliment her mid range growl. It's pretty fascinating how many tone variations you can get with different pickup brands, configs and string combinations. My current favorite is P/J with D'Addario Chromes. Bright enough for rock and slap but roll the tone off and you can get a credible Motown or country vibe. Anyway, fantastic video and dig your groove!
that's very impressive and looks much more easier than I thought ! you may have convinced me to upgrade my basse haha
New and improved, nice
I love the premise of this video and the before and after.
Your way too good at this man I wish you were around when I started modifying instruments
Quite the improvement!
Now it has more brightness into the sound not just bass itself, its kinda blended richness to it 👌🔥🔥🔥
Hi dan.. i love to watch videos.the way you build a guitar..i am also a church bassist .by watching your cool videos ive learn things how take good care of the instruments..
Like the difference the new pickups make. Old pickups sounded muddled. Nice Job.
Just found your channel and the name alone is enough for a subscription
More blessings in you brother! Keep it up and will definitely pay for your wiring diagram! God bless you and your family more!
Redoing a bass I made in high school right now! I'm 52 so I've had it a long time. I like the hipshot bridge I got for it and I chose EMG pickups just cause I'm looking for a clean look!
Dan, I'm grateful for the budget friendly heads ups! Thank you, sir. Question 1: How do you choose where to cut the bass strings before you wind them on the tuners??? Inquiring minds want to know. Question 2: have you ever considered metal recessed string sockets for the underside of the bass?
I like Wilkinson tuners, and bridges. but the one you used got me thinking. I want to try a string through install.
The clarity is quite clear in the upgrade
Nice education on this video too ! thanks for sharing. On the bridge string through, what goes on the back side to protect the end of the strings and to protect the wood there ?
Nice groove and there is a huge improvement in tone and sustain.
Wow, amazing tone difference. Love the channel, God Bless!!✌️😇🎸
Sweet. I've got an Alvarez electric guitar I'm modding right now. It was given to me at a yard sale last year.
Well hey, that's kinda funny, that is the exact same bridge I got off eBay for my current build!! Wilkinson makes some really good affordable pickups too BTW, if you like their tuners you should really try more of their stuff. I also 100% agree on the bone nut.
Final product here sounds like you took a wet blanket off the speakers, not only more sustain, but brighter punchier tone as well. Nice!😍
In order to isolate the bass upgrades from the string change, I would have like to have heard an A/B compare with the same strings on the bass. Right now I'm left trying to guess how much of the improved tone is from the bass upgrades vs. a simple string change. Either way, nice work none the less and thanks!
Interesting perspective. But what would you have changed first to verify and compare? Strings, pick ups, nut or/and bridge tuners? Just asking, as a beginner player and builder im just wanting to learn more.
@@mikeknowlden9617 It would be cool to hear what each individual piece of the puzzle does to the tone. I'd say pickups / wiring and strings first would be biggest bang for your buck tone wise. Bridge and nut could be subtle and more for sustain. Tuners will help sustain a little too but biggest bonus there is good tuners stay in tune and ultralight tuners make a surprising difference in weight and neck dive.
Thanks much to all who helped. I'll be building 2 different bass' one to keep and learn on at work and a beautiful wall hanger lol 😆
Insightful! Good job.
Great video👍
Very very nice, the tone and brightness with the upgrade for around $200 is not bad
Guyker makes some amazing products! I'm currently being tempted to buy about six of their bass pickups. MUST RESIST...
Of the many before/after tone comparisons you’ve made on this channel, this genuinely feels like the most drastic change. The before was thin and the sustain nosedives after the initial hit, the after was beefy, gritty, and had a sustained volume.
Glad to hear your a believer. I play bass for my church and I’m excited to try some of your upgrades for my bass. I just need the link to order from your outlet. Thanks for all the great videos.
Love this Dan. Gonna re do a bass soon and I saved this vid
You're the fking man! Infinite love and gratitude from Colorado.
The tone is night and day, I know strings may have been old and dead on the before, but there was so much more definition in the after that even I could tell the difference,
I'll be on the lookout for a 4r+1L Wilkinson tuner set and a 5-string bridge, so I can upgrade my BB615, but that is a backup bass now, so not a priority.
Awesome that your able to bless a fellow worship brother to be able to bless his fellowship with a much better tone that will seriously cut through the mix well.
Awesome mods, nice shirt 😉
Alvarez actually makes some decent basses.I used the Epic Custom Shop Ps and they're fantastic.
Dude, at first blush, the original bass tone wasn't terrible, but WOW! Your mods made that bass a real thumper!!! Great job all around! OK, so how much (minus your labor, of course)???
This is great. Got three very cheap new Fazleys. Been demo's in a shop. One P-base, one jazz bass and one "two pickups" bass. Different basses.
Jazz bass is a one string fretless bass now. P-bass has "red hot and dip them in sunflower oil" metal parts, and some other color on the pick guard. Ah, and flatwounds that I do like.
And that "two pickups" bass is halfway my upgrade. First I drilled and chisseled a neck cavity. Now it sounds a lot warmer, for I moved both pickups, not just the "middle" one. But it might be interesting installing a third pickup, for the bridge pickup has moved to middle position. I could instead make it simpler, and giving it a neck pickup only. In that case an upgrade is simple, buying just one new pickup. Maybe an active one. Don't know yet. So, seeing this video is interesting. I could do something similar.
Ah, that string spacing option is great. For somebody who has several arthritis issues in both hands, I've done some 1-string necks and bridges. Next step is building a narrow neck. And the other point is, 4-string bridges simply do not have a string smack in the middle. Means drilling, which is okay. However, having some play is easy, getting the string centered above the neck.
Same bridge design could work great, when converting a 6-string guitar to an 8-string one, using 4 octaves just like a 12-string guitar does. Then shifting one string "right" and the next one "left" could get you a pair of strings! If the strings are close enough, otherwise a home made bridge is the obvious way to go. In short, seen something new, these bridges are cool.
Hey, Dan, I have a 1977 Fender Telecaster bass with string thru, and the sustain issue holds water well. My Tele beastie has sustain into next week. LOL
As far as hardware, I have used Wilkinson tuners on all my Fender style guitars and 1 Strat style tremolo without any regrets. They hold up well, and my daughter likes the tremolo as far as I know. Bone nuts are best, and I usually try to use a pre cut nut just for the convenience factor, but there have been a few custom cuts I've done.
I agree on the importance of strings, but I prefer a set of 45s. What I may lose in sustain, I think, is off set with easier playability
I can attest to the wiring that dans figured out. I did this wiring on my Solo Jazz Bass Kit, but, with a Musician bridge pickup on a master coil split (on-off-on), and a varitone in lieu of a traditional tone pot, and its as versatile as I've found.
Definitely sounds better. I can't really tell how much is fresh strings though.
I really appreciate Dan's content here. Inspiring and educational! Regarding the specific bridge being recommended here, I tried it out and discovered that the saddles have a weird design such that the horizontal adjustment screws don't go all the way through the part that holds the saddle and you end up with only about 1/2" of travel which in my case wasn't enough to get the instrument intonated. I ended up taking it off and returning it for a different part. Anyone else? I really like the through body option and it seems like a well-made part otherwise, but overall a bit of a design flaw. Just me?
Thanks to you now I discovered a bass guitar with my last name, definitely I need to get a bass and learn how to play it now.
Doing the string through modification is worth it as it does improve the tone. The modded guitar has a lot more punch as well as enhanced tone.
What a difference!!!! Incredible!!!!!!
Very useful, thank you.
great job!
Tone wise, the before and after are very similar.
Just sounds like new strings, and higher output pickups...
When it comes to tone, speaker & cab are #1, strings #2, amp #3, pickups #4, and everything else is almost indiscernible.
For playability though, the bridge is definitely #1. Good job!
Well done!
after upgrade sounds brighter for sure!!!
Awesome thanks 👍
I'm not the big bass player, but the sound modified is definitely better. I think it's clearer, and has dramatically better tone. One of these days I'll maybe work on the Rick copy bass of mine, it would almost certainly be better with different pickups.
But as always, great work Dan.
Thanks David!
Thanks for the great video! Do you have a suggestion for upgrading a "Sterling by music man" bridge? The hole pattern isn't the same as you suggest. 3 holes as opposed to 4.
The sound quality has improved significantly after!!!
Proof that upgrades cannot be that regretful in terms of cost.
You do some Dan good work 👏
Hi Dan, I was thinking about doing this to my Ibanez gsr200b if it's still available! It has to much noise to use at church! but i like using it because it's a lot lighter than my 5string Squier jazz. Awesome channel man thanks!
excellent job !
really useful , informed and creative tips. Thank you! How do you think that bridge compares to the Fender Hi mass Bridge (which is basically a badassbridge for less money)for a Jazz Bass?
Sounds great.
I did notice you don't bend the strings before you cut them. I'm looking for pj pickups & preamp for a five string bass
Liked your video. Can you tell me what you use on the backside of the body to retain the strings when you've drilled the through holes for the bridge? And, as we all should know, in order to conduct a fair audio comparison YOU MUST LEVEL MATCH THE CLIPS OR THE LOUDEST ONE WILL PROBABLY WIN. Just sayin'.
thanks Dan
And your basses are really nice. Excellent shape, familiar, yet jacked up n hot rodded baby! It seems it's somewhat difficult for some builders to carve out something original, with a unique twist. Sean Black
Really cool show my friend. Killer angle for sure! I'm not into the God thing, but I ain't gonna talk about him behind his back!!
DR coated strings are my favorite. They last a long time and are worth every penny.
Impressive Brother.👍
A brass or tusq nut would be an awesome cheap noticeable upgrade as well
Regarding the Guyker bridge from your example, I purchased and installed one after having watched your video. Wondering if you might create a video addressing intonation on this type of bridge where the saddles arent fully open on the ends. I'd imagine I'll either be cutting saddle screws and adjusting somewhat closely to where intonation adjestments were set on my previous bridge, or just buying various lengths of shorter saddle screws. Just curious about your thoughts or of any tips you might offer. Its a really nice, higher mass bridge and I am sure it'll provide significant sustains over the old OEM one.
You sound a lot like fix it Felix from wreck it Ralph, I find it incredibly calming
Nice and informative video. Is there a five string version of that bridge? Thanx.
Hey brother bass player and leader. I'm from Canada and probably 1,000 years old and been playing bass and stopping pucks around 900 years. In all my years I've never heard a more profound difference in sound. That is except when I got my first puck upside the head in a Kevlar goalie mask! It certainly didn't hurt, but the noise was shocking! This is how profoundly impressed I am! I saw this and immediately subscribed. Hey I'm an old dog, and old is gold! I am so impressed with your sound. I'm wondering how with the currency exchange and dutys, shipping and so on I may be of service to you? I'm not techno savvy, and don't care to be, so I have no idea how we can open a repoir and possibly I can help you. We really do have our share of musicians. Ps, I never made a dime stopping pucks, but I have a wonderful life playing studio work. And I'm in Calgary Alberta Canada where we really do have more trucks than cars, and more Rodeos than anywhere in North America (including Texas and Montana, Nevada etc. and your branding "Guns and Guitars " will go a long way in this neck of the woods. Possibly I can help you promote your wares in Canada?
Dan!!!! Ordered your strings and have been playing them for a week now. I love em! Fingers glide like butter across the strings and they have great tone! Any plans for bass strings in the future? 🎸
Awesome I’m glad you love them as much as I do! And yes, I’m working on some bass strings 🤘
Your a great guy Dan 👍🏻😁
I have a very similar model Ibanez bass that has a translucent red paint job (I'm assuming the same of that Alvarez); I would absolutely love to see how you made it look like that! Sand it down obviously. Stain? Oil?
The mod I do to EVERY bass and guitar I use is... schaller straplocks. Absolutely critical. Wilkinson stuff has been high quality for a good price, in my experience. Gotoh is another good aftermarket part brand, but they're a bit pricier.
Sounds alive! That worn sleepy sound is gone..nice.
I'm ordering two of those bridges today! I've been modding, and building parts caster basses for years, and I somehow missed those bridges...
I still prefer brass for fretless bass nuts, 100% agree with you, re fretted instruments...
Any ideas where to source 25" scale, mini bass round wounds? LaBella makes flats, but not rounds, in that scale
Will the bridge in the video work on a Squier jazz bass? It looks like this bridge has only 4 mounting holes, vs fender's 5. Thank you, great content!