P-Bass Mods

[Glen Smith]

Are there any mods or upgrades that are considered "musts" on a stock Fender P-Bass?

 

[winny pooh]

Not really, unless you want a higher output pup. I did put gotoh ultralight tuners on mine to make it balance better.

 

[Tim Armstrong]

Nope. If you dig P-Basses, they're good to go right out of the box.

Tim

 

[TELE_BLUES]

That's the beauty of the p-bass rock solid and simple as it gets.I've modded a bunch of them, one with another p-bass p.u. in the bridge pos,one with a music man humbucker in the bridge and the popular jazz bass p.u. in the bridge.

 

[Telesavalis]

pickup options, tailpiece options, Flats or Tapes, add a pre amp, strap locks....
other than that I can't think of any mods that it would benefit from, and those are personal choices other than needed mods.

I just changed out the pickup in my Lakland P and put a more vintage sounding pickup in it. The pup from the factory was ok but too agressive and growly.

 

[Immo]

...

As other guys said - this bass is so awesome there's no need for mods.
However, for me something closest to a 'obligatory' mod for P is a set of chrome covers*.
Bass players divide into two groups: those who love chrome covers and those who have no good tast... err... who hate'm.
And of course the standard bass mods like straplocks are good idea. You don't want your bass to hit the floor in the middle of the gig.

*plus maybe some foam under the bridge cover for extra warmth.

 

[Glen Smith]

I already have the chrome covers which I will be installing. I will order a set of strap locks.

 

[Immo]

I already have the chrome covers which I will be installing. I will order a set of strap locks.

Good man.

 

[Glen Smith]

OK, strap locks ordered and I will also be replacing the stock bridge with this one:

 

[Tim Armstrong]

I GREATLY prefer the stock bridge. YMMV.

Tim

 

[Glen Smith]

I GREATLY prefer the stock bridge. YMMV.

Tim

Can you please tell me why you prefer the stock bridge?

 

[Tim Armstrong]

They're just unnecessary, add unneeded weight, don't improve the tone of a P-Bass at all that I can hear. The one time I put one on a P-Bass, I actually found it to make the thing sound brighter and thinner.

Tim

 

[donh]

pull the chrome (it gets in the way), pull the finger/thumb rests (they get in the way), play the damn thing!

 

[beep.click]

The only "must" for me is flatwound strings. They go on the day I bring the bass home.

Do THAT, and you got yourself some P-Bass going on.

 

[Immo]

...

Putting the flatwounds ON the P-bass is not a mod. It's just like an increase of performance.
However, REMOVING flats from the bass is a mod. Because you remove something that will last forever on this bass, like any other its part like pickup or bridge. And it's deteriorating mod

 

[franchelB]

Are there any mods or upgrades that are considered "musts" on a stock Fender P-Bass?

I don't believe there are "musts" in modding a P-Bass, or any other bass for that matter. Modding, to me, depends on what is "needed"...e.g. I "needed" a Hipshot D-extender. I don't care for a 5-string bass, but certain songs do sound better when you play a low D.
Thumb rests, upgraded pickups, lighter tuners, heavier bridges and brass nuts, and active electronics ARE all nice mods, but do you REALLY "need" it for YOUR tone?

 

[SamClemons]

Move the thumb rest.

 

[Glen Smith]

Move the thumb rest.

Move it to where?

 

[Tim Armstrong]

Move it to where?

He probably means if it has the old style "tug bar" down on the treble side, to move it up to the bass side. But I'm just guessing!

Tim

 

[Anchoret]

Are there any mods or upgrades that are considered "musts" on a stock Fender P-Bass?

Define "a stock Fender P-Bass."

The only modification I ever found meaningful was selling the BAII off an HO for $150+ and getting a real bridge.