Best Budget Bass Upgrades!

[@zodak9999b]

The original sounds pretty lifeless. The post-upgrade sound is much more alive. Good job, Dan!

[@riccardorubini245]

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.

[@machinesdeguerre]

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!

[@GunsandGuitars]

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 😂

[@pc2908]

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!

[@grantkoeller8911]

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"

[@realjester]

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. 👍👍👍

[@raybbj]

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!

[@mikeknowlden9617]

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.

[@crocholiday]

@@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.

[@mikeknowlden9617]

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 😆

[@craigparse1439]

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.

[@samplemuso]

Great work Dan. Always practical, no BS! Thanks

[@brianwoolery2558]

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!

[@Cruiseangel72]

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.

[@OleDadFishing]

Just got my Epic Custom Shop pickups! Installed and it’s like I have a new Bass! Love them!

[@scarmyguitar]

The clarity is quite clear in the upgrade

[@DefenderTIM]

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!

[@chadglass7705]

The change is excellent, brighter, dynamic, very present. Great video.

[@RubyRoks]

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.

[@mobbinator]

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!

[@AdrianSiller]

WoW Dan, that was incredible. The difference in sound is totally noticeable. Thank you for Sharing my brother.

[@michaelhood8529]

I love the premise of this video and the before and after.

[@ColonelAngus2023]

Upgrading the nut with a bone is a great idea. However... It will only affect the sustain of the open strings. For more sustain on all notes is to have the intonation set perfectly. Professionally set intonation is the best thing you can do for any bass. Ernie Ball Cobalt Flatwounds are the best sounding and feeling Flatwounds that I have ever used.

[@MISTAMUSIK]

Very very nice, the tone and brightness with the upgrade for around $200 is not bad

[@ColonelAngus2023]

Pickups in most budget bass guitars are fine. The best upgrade is to replace the small cheap stock 250k pots with quality full-size 500K pots and a .022uf Orange Drop cap. The increase in total options is amazing. I do like the idea of choosing a replacement Bridge with a string spacing adjustment option. It doesn't cost anymore and is very useful in most cases.

[@paulwaldrop]

Like the difference the new pickups make. Old pickups sounded muddled. Nice Job.

[@PedroA2024]

Yes! Needed this video. Also looking to serve at my church as a bassist

[@edwinstovall3334]

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!

[@hushpuppykl]

Great upgrades. The sound is not overly modern. Still retains nice mid bass. 👍👍

[@TheAT5000]

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!

[@voornaam3191]

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.

[@Feesh6]

Your way too good at this man I wish you were around when I started modifying instruments

[@kevmac1230]

Alvarez actually makes some decent basses.I used the Epic Custom Shop Ps and they're fantastic.

[@kevinboulay2562]

Wow. Those small improvements made a HUGE difference. Thank you for sharing!

[@selkie3234]

small? he changed like everything about it

[@jeffhurley756]

Nice groove and there is a huge improvement in tone and sustain.

[@ronaldramos879]

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..

[@music_enjoyer3963]

You sound a lot like fix it Felix from wreck it Ralph, I find it incredibly calming

[@zionrios2205]

Just found your channel and the name alone is enough for a subscription

[@zackymad1533]

Killer groove, this bass looks very much like my Yamaha trbx, thanks for all the tips.

[@Rob-ee2lm]

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.

[@gerboblitz]

The most USA channel I’ve ever came across. I’m less than 01 minute into it, there was church, worship and guns already. Ahahaha Epic. Kind regards from across the pond.

[@Abrahamic.Design]

Land of the free. Home of the brave. 🇺🇸

[@mikestory2272]

I like Wilkinson tuners, and bridges. but the one you used got me thinking. I want to try a string through install.

[@macalvarez2330]

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.

[@jonmatthews4254]

Very useful, thanks - ordered two of those bridges straight off!

[@bevinmodrak4997]

Definitely sounds better. I can't really tell how much is fresh strings though.

[@DylanWOWilliams]

You’re a follower of the one who saved me. I knew I liked you for a reason.

[@crocholiday]

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!

[@davejones7475]

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?

[@samizdat113]

Sweet. I've got an Alvarez electric guitar I'm modding right now. It was given to me at a yard sale last year.

[@roentgen571]

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.

[@emersonsrandomvideos248]

The sound quality has improved significantly after!!! Proof that upgrades cannot be that regretful in terms of cost.

[@DortheeLeMagnifique]

that's very impressive and looks much more easier than I thought ! you may have convinced me to upgrade my basse haha

[@dutu000]

i think that the best upgrade of a cheap bass or guitar is to buy yourself a fret leveling beam and DO those frets, and also glue them to the fretboard with thin superglue. Also, install a bone nut. Plenty of youtube tutorials for that. Then check if the neck is flush with the body (if it is a bolt on).. no shims and stuff like that. Sand until perfect or, if you shim it, make full size neck pocket shims and glue them to the body or neck. That joint has to be flawless. You now have a totally different instrument if you've done all that propperly. It plays WAY much better and the sound is heavily improved. Electronics and hardware come next... in my opinion.

[@dutu000]

Back in 2009 I was in a mall in Spain and saw a kids Stratocaster (smaller than a Squier mini). Had a BIG "Made in China" oval stiker on it. It looked cute, so I figured "what the hell. let's try it". Acoustically, it was sounding good. And that was what mattered. The guy there brought me the kit amp ( 3 inch combo ) and a crappy wire. Only noise was coming out of it. Then I told him to let me try it on a Huges & Kettner tube amp. MAN, that guitar sounded awesome. 100 euro guitar. The only problem was that it was unplayable.. very high action, sharp fret ends and was playing out of tune... But the sound was amazing, with those chinese pickups.. So I bought it, took it home and refretted it. Made a bone nut, set it up, and played like butter. I played with that guitar in an open air gig, in front of 10000 people. Well, it is tuned in G in stead of standard E, using .012 gauge strings. My A chord is actually a C chord, which went perfect with the piano player :) I guess it's a picolo guitar.

[@GrouchoTM]

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!

[@deanbalanay850]

Now it has more brightness into the sound not just bass itself, its kinda blended richness to it 👌🔥🔥🔥

[@sunn_bass]

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.

[@johnnyhd]

Great bass series! As usual…. Would love to see your buddy’s reaction, thoughts, and excitement etc.

[@joelaneve8664]

The upgrade makes the sound more bright .

[@MattCaffell]

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.

[@jahriffn]

You're the fking man! Infinite love and gratitude from Colorado.

[@gnutsegnuhkar7792]

that upgrades will certainly open your pockets... if you are a beginner, just stick with what you have... upgrades are for those with critical ears... it's good you have a cheap bass... paul mccartney's first bass was a borrowed right handed one whose owner did not want it converted to a lefty

[@andyvitale6071]

Sounds alive! That worn sleepy sound is gone..nice.

[@squeekywheelmc6736]

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?

[@uvulapie]

Guyker makes some amazing products! I'm currently being tempted to buy about six of their bass pickups. MUST RESIST...

[@pauldron-p3c]

Quite the improvement!

[@lisahebebrand1184]

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!!

[@guitfidle]

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!😍

[@seanl3428]

This was incredibly helpful. I have an Allen Eden 2-tone bass guitar and the hardware is fairly garbage and the electronics are definitely garbage, bad ground, buzzy.

[@Bjmusic2491]

This is a great video I will be checking out some of that product on Amazon to my basses

[@doknox]

DR coated strings are my favorite. They last a long time and are worth every penny.

[@fredgonzalez6619]

Thanks for all these great educational videos man!

[@artr2]

More blessings in you brother! Keep it up and will definitely pay for your wiring diagram! God bless you and your family more!

[@andrewjeffries8721]

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?

[@careercriticalthinker]

A plastic nut is the death of the tone. It cuts the tonal frequency by half and the sustain just dies half way. You can have a luthier make you a nut from animal bone, or synthetic bone. A standard L-bracket bridge is another. A soft body wood is another area. The bridge and tuners are usually the first target areas regarding tone. A tuners mod is usually made to lighten the weight of a heavy set of stock tuners to reduce neck dive. Once these key areas are addressed, then a proper setup can be performed if the truss rod and neck is in decent shape. I bought a Harley Benton '75 jazz bass where the body was American Ash, the neck was maple with a 'D' shape profile. The bridge was a Wilkinson stock jazz bridge with brass saddles. The bass itself is a beast with all those stock options and I only paid $123 USD at the time, it was also a B-stock item with just a cracked plastic knob, that was it. Everything else was perfect.

[@ottovonnekpunch1268]

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)???

[@rondelio8562]

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

[@lisahebebrand1184]

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

[@christosfragias592]

Awesome that you helped out a fellow Christian ✝️ Brother. ☦️🙏

[@mrfatbobrider1969]

Cool as Dan I like both before and after, but the new setup sounds a lot brighter

[@GunsandGuitars]

Honestly before wasn’t all that bad, but definitely more alive now

[@mrfatbobrider1969]

@@GunsandGuitars yea befoe did sound good too, like it would've played some nice reggae

[@keeperofthelowend]

the Fender Super 7250 link takes you to Dioxit.... doh! But, those bridges! Awesome!

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll fix it now!

[@GunsandGuitars]

Fixed! Also, here’s the link for you just in case amzn.to/3pwHeT3

[@TomTobin67]

I would have put a master volume, Duncan basslines preamp and a 3 way toggle switch into a total contact jack.

[@mercyrules1617]

Great job! Loved the playing also! God bless !

[@MrDaveKC]

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.

[@GunsandGuitars]

Thanks David!

[@Dimanson91]

after upgrade sounds brighter for sure!!!

[@JTSunriseMusic]

New and improved, nice

[@swolodkin]

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'.

[@familyengineering5591]

A brass or tusq nut would be an awesome cheap noticeable upgrade as well

[@jamtmill]

Love this Dan. Gonna re do a bass soon and I saved this vid

[@Kenn1969]

Wow, amazing tone difference. Love the channel, God Bless!!✌️😇🎸

[@ColonelAngus2023]

What do you think about replacing the cheap small stock 250k pots with quality full size 500k pots and a .022uf Orange Drop cap? I have found that this simple inexpensive upgrade to my Squier Precision Bass vastly improved the tonal range options and sound quality of the stock pickups. I actually have use for the tone knob now. It has full range ability from off to full on rather than only affecting the tone from 3/4 to full on.

[@LisaHarsh]

Original sounded like my first bass no punch or sustain. That made it sound so much better.

[@thetubeschannel]

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 ?

[@johnreyes195]

Dude u rock. Im a bass player for cross hill church. Thay told me we prayed for a bass player for two years. The singer said to me surely. U do know the lord brought you here. I said. Don't call me sherrly

[@alexander_noren]

i like the P-pickups position! in theory it should make thin string sound fuller

[@sergeev322]

There is a difference! Got better. But here I have, no matter what bass I come with, the sound engineers in the console will still make the sound they like.

[@Guitar6ty]

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.

[@AaronJohnProduction]

it sounds more brighter than before it feels like a jazz bass combi the precision pickup sounds like a jazz bridge

[@letmebefree93]

I heard guns guitars and Christian brothers in the first 30 sec you got my sub brother.

[@wxb200]

My strings of choice are Ernie Ball Super Slinky Strings

[@JoeTheGuitarGuy96]

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.

[@saulgoodeguitars]

Awesome mods, nice shirt 😉

[@philipgibbs1433]

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.

[@luiscelis01]

What a difference!!!! Incredible!!!!!!