Best FREE DIY UPGRADES for your BASS! (do it yourself improvements for your bass guitar)

These are the best upgrades you can do yourself for FREE! all it costs is a little of your time.
Other videos in this series:
Best BUDGET FRIENDLY bass upgrades: • Best Budget Bass Upgra...
Best Wiring upgrades for Bass: • Best Wiring Tricks to ...
Most of the upgrades in this video will only require tools or products you already have (especially if you a DIYer) but if you don't have these products, here are some links where get more info or make a purchase:
Tru Oil finish: amzn.to/3cGAQWu
Deoxit D5 electronics cleaner/protector: amzn.to/3KPJmzi
Silicone dry lube: amzn.to/3RybQQ5
Best budget bass bridge: www.gunsandguitars.net/produc...
Wiring kits and harnesses: www.gunsandguitars.net/guitar...
Wiring diagrams: www.gunsandguitars.net/wiring...
*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.
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
Donald West
ChaoticDanny
Ron Clevenger
Matthew Burch
Victor A Estes
$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
Billy Sullivan
Brandonlee
Background music made by Jordan Rowan of iMakeMusic
Audiojungle: audiojungle.net/user/imakemusic

[@martinheath5947]

My tip for glossy necks is a rub down with a small wad of the finest grade wire wool. Was hesitant about doing it but my high gloss Classic StingRay and American Standard P necks now feature a silky smooth finish and it only took a few minutes. Highly recommend!

[@martinheath5947]

Didn't even have to take strings or neck off 😊

[@michaelmccaffety3131]

Dude, this is GREAT. The string through and the fret job are such good ideas! Thanks Dan, good work as usual man.

[@Ypsiroselee]

I have a Cort Action PJ, a very nice basic bass. I got a professional setup with new strings, and it made a HUGE difference versus how it sounded when I got it. I’m thinking of upgrading the tuners, then tinkering with the electronics. All over time, as I am also still learning to play. Dan, I enjoy your videos and have really learned a lot. Thanks!

[@samplemuso]

Great work Dan 😎 set up is def the most significant and far reaching improvement on virtually any guitar out of the box !

[@LarsonGuitarPlayer]

Great tips! Especially the string through. Never thought of that!

[@robinfawcett7973]

Great video Dan... sounded so lively after. Love your playing.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Omg Dan it is so awesome to see you make string through!! I want my stingrays to be string through so bad!!! Obviously I don’t have it in me to do the work but maybe one day I’ll find someone to do it . My two string through basses have massive tone!! I’ve had tons of basses and never got into sustaining and stuff but after owning a ATK and 2 Lakland 5502 basses the B strings on them are more massive than any of my stingrays and custom basses and I hate admitting that.

[@TedCurran]

I actually have a bass just like this one that I received for free, so this is like a personalized guide to how to improve my old bass! Thanks Dan and keep up the great work.

[@lurklingX]

thanks, some of this is helpful for regular guitar too. and the way you showed how to spray the pots is great. now i know that i need to just open my Hamer right up to spray. the shop guy only showed spraying it under the knob.

[@carlhunt1113]

Awesome sounds. Definitely can hear the sustain

[@clicks59]

Great tips! Thanks.

[@MauriceNDias]

Thank you for this!

[@billysullivan6186]

Congrats David.

[@MrDaveKC]

Now I'm feeling the pressure after this video with all the mods I'm going to need to do on the bass! But I'm looking forward to it.

[@shaneharrington3655]

The AFTER comparison sounds sooo much better. Awesome.

[@JoeTheGuitarGuy96]

Dan, seeing upgrades, and different mindsets applied to this bass, is amazing to see. Very cool to see new life, and a better tone on this bass. You keep impressing every time I see your work. Also, was that a Dual MusicMan Behemoth template? If so, that looks amazing.

[@GunsandGuitars]

It’s technically a JJ+JJ layout. That one I’m building for myself 🤫

[@JoeTheGuitarGuy96]

@@GunsandGuitars My apologies Dan, That a cool pickup arrangement.

[@heftyjo2893]

I followed your advice from previous video on how to make a straight edge and fret leveling beam with a cheap yard stick and a level from the Lowe's. Then, bought the Fret Guru crowing file which works like a champ. Did first fret job on cheap Harley Benton bass which gave me the confidence to do a fret job on my Sire Marcus Miller M5 bass. The playability of a bass with a level fret board is just night and day. Particularly with these two basses since I ordered them from Thomann Music in Germany. The trip across the Atlantic and all the way to Texas just completely wrecked the fret work with all the humidity and pressure changes.

[@charlie-obrien]

You are one of the few players I have seen that acknowledge that a guitar (and specifically the neck) coming from halfway around the world, like all Asian built instruments do, is what cause the fret sprout and problems you here so many complain about when they receive their guitars and need a set up. Learning how to do your own set ups for guitar and bass will spare you from a lot of heartache.

[@jameskeneally3075]

Hi Dan. I own that model Alvarez bass and I stumbled across your site while looking for pickup rewiring info. You covered all the points that I've been thinking about to improve the sound of the instrument. I'll go over your videos again to get a better understanding of why and how you got it to sound so much better. If you have any additional suggestions I'd love to hear them. Thank you.

[@artr2]

First! Stay safe brother! And another awesome video to watch! Greetings from Hong Kong!

[@ryanwiseman9141]

Great vid and tasty bass riffage!!

[@edwhite7475]

The difference in sound is obvious to me- i think youre right about the plastic thing- It damps the sound. I always take the pickguards off acoustics for the same reason...that ugly piece of plastic doesnt allow the top to vibrate as well and youll never wear through the top like Willie. I think your bridge modification helped too. Ive got a few basses im going to try all this on. Ive been following you for years, you do great work. Thank you, sir-

[@oaklandish-metalboy1194]

Beautiful!

[@saulgoodeguitars]

Congrats David

[@MrGixxer1300r]

Awesome content

[@tonycampbell9626]

Dan Fantastic as usual. I think you should True Oil that body on the bass.

[@bernieconatser1028]

Nice! Huge, large, mondo increase in sound and tone 👍👍

[@Denver077804]

'Before' sounded pillowy. What a massive improvement in sound!

[@joeycovington4681]

Thanks!

[@fus149hammer5]

Now this video I get. Buy a cheap or well used bass, clean it up, check the frets and neck are in order, maybe replace some of the wiring, clean and oil the tuners and away you go. Replacing just about everything on the instrument that isn't made of wood just doesn't seem sensible. Of course if you enjoy doing such things and you have the skill and knowledge that's fine. I do agree about the shiny, glossy paint that attracts grime and sticky goo from your skin I have the same problem where I place my right hand on the body. Due to arthritis developing in my right hand I'm no longer a Steve Harris clone I just can't play finger style anymore therefore I use a pick/plectrum. My model of bass doesn't come with a pick guard so I'm making one that covers that area. It might look odd but it means I can play smoothly without my hand sticking. All in all though, I do enjoy your videos. 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@_mysilentblue2227]

I like that "Blower Switch" it removes the 500k volume pot and the 250k tone pot and is basically pickup to jack.

[@jameslewis2635]

I just realized that KZbin has stopped recommending videos from this channel to me despite me being subscribed for quite a long time. As for the differences in the before and after demos I can hear that there appears to be a lot more top end detail in the sound now as well as the output seems a fair bit higher.

[@billysullivan6186]

Definitely brighter after upgrades and more apparent sustain.

[@panda2907]

Congrats to David for winning!! a cool bass to own 🤘🏻😁

[@pauly51]

All I’ve owned is 3-500 dollar bass. Set up and STRINGS make a huge difference

[@austinman1712]

Very cool 😎

[@ILKTTRZ]

Hey Dan! Was wondering if you've had a chance to check out the Canik Mete series yet. I just picked one up and it came with an optic plus all the extras you normally get. Curious on your thoughts

[@familyengineering5591]

Hey dan can you do a short scale 6 string prototype? Never seen one done. I bet you could make an awesome one like your other short scale bass you made

[@everready19373]

I just picked up a used First Act 32" bass for $50.00. It seems to play pretty well to my novice ear. I ordered new strings for it, oiled the neck and fretboard and checked the neck. It all seems good. No buzzing frets and intonation is darn close. I still need to tweak the saddles. I might change out the P/U's later.

[@vanshankguitars]

Some sealed tuners can be lubed by popping off the small round caps at the back.

[@seyringheat]

Just a quick comment on "sustain". I spoke at length with Neal Moser who designed the original BC Rich Bich. Neal tested construction methods in depth. Bolt on, vs. Set neck, vs. Set-thru, vs. Neck thru among other things that are said to affect sustain. His conclusion was that the differences were negligible, and that sustain lies in the combination of various factors that cannot always be duplicated. That being said, the construction method that produced the most sustain was Bolt-on.

[@Emily_M81]

satin necks for the win. I cannot STAND glossy necks lol and I have no idea why they were ever a thing or continue to be a thing. Thanks for sharing! I use Howard's Feed n Wax on my fretboards. But whatever someone uses, they owe it to themselves and their instruments to oil the fretboards once or twice a year. It feels soooo good, so silky.

[@metalisit]

100% agree on a satin finish on the neck. Not sure why any company would use gloss.

[@perkins1439]

The first time I felt a satin neck was a WOW moment.

[@TheBassTroll]

Hey, Dan! I hope all is well with you. I've been wondering what tools you used for adding the "through" holes to the bridge; there's the tappy-thingy at 05:09, the type of drill bit at 05:22 (for drilling through metal), and the counter-sinky-thingy around 05:27. Thank you!

[@diegoyonamine8943]

Sustain , or overall improvements is noice.. But any crazy Design build project CommingUp?

[@earlgarcia9824]

Back in the day when most fenders, Gibsons,Rickenbacker etc.had gloss finish on necks and many still do we used baby powder on our hands ,you always packed a towel for a gig and some sort of talc ,the thought of sanding our using steel wool on a beloved instrument never even enter our minds in fact an instrument with a satin finish was considered el cheapo and frowned upon, man o manochevitz how times have changed. 🤣

[@infoscholar5221]

Easy low-cost upgrades. Riiight.

[@homeboyjon4885]

I love Tru Oil!

[@bonganimjekula1857]

I can define hear a huge difference in tone, more punch and crispy tone

[@brianengquist2110]

Love these upgrades, but no ferrules for the string-through?

[@synth_nerd44]

I've my eye on a 6 string bass, that I've priced humbucker pickups for, because the guy was saying it's pig of guitar, but I'm determined to make something of it. I know you have bridge replacements for 4 string basses, but I'm interested if you've advice for me in my situation. Definitely would like to feed the strings through from the back for more sustain. Actually, I'll take any advice you have, because I'm definitely gunning to get going.... Thanks in advance!!

[@Cilantrosquad]

Can you make a jagstang?

[@stoegerstewie8351]

Sounds like a new guitar alright!

[@0074craig]

def can hear the difference ,,,,I have my neck just plain wood no stain or paint a pain to keep clean but thats what i like a nice neck and no sticking

[@IWH8023]

Best upgrades I've ever done: buy ken smith taper core strings and move the pickups closer to the bridge.

[@Falasi4]

Deoxit is amazing and I use it on all kinds of electronics - instruments, rc cars, even old video game cartridge contacts, whatever!

[@charlie-obrien]

Also great for hitting your amp knobs pots and contacts. That's a once a year maintenance ritual for me.

[@vanshankguitars]

Congratulations to the winner!

[@asafpelleh7594]

Oh, there's the setup hehe :)

[@michaelmenkes8085]

String through is no myth, and I bet the big jump in sound in the video was mostly due to that one mod. You can buy a really expensive Babycz or Hipshot bridge, or you can just do this. I learned a Gibson bass bridge hack the other day too. The 3 point bridge has stops for your string ends but it doesn't mean you have to use them. you can add a tailpiece or do string through behind it with zero mods to the bridge.

[@rtazen8837]

Wouldn’t you need to put ferrules in to do the string through? Wouldn’t the string tension over time wear through the body?

[@Grizzleback07]

It will damage the wood so ferrules are highly recommended.

[@cbowenjr72]

I've got a question. I notice alot of the vids you do your sitting bent over your work. Does this help you or after awhile start hurting your back

[@BBGuitars]

Another thing you can do to benefit sustain is to drill out the holes in the neck pocket so the screws slip through, this way when you tighten the screws into the neck it is pulling the neck as tightly into the pocket as possible!

[@GunsandGuitars]

Very true!

[@RobertJene]

why are there skewers taped to your soldering iron?

[@SpicyJ81]

Hi Dan - With drilling for the string through bridge, what drill bit did you use at the back of the bass after you drilled through the body? Do you put Ferrules in them?

[@GunsandGuitars]

I don’t use ferrules, just use a countersink bit

[@SpicyJ81]

@@GunsandGuitars thanks! I have the exact same bridge you use in the video, what’s the ideal C.S bit size to use for this application?

[@SlightlyTechnical]

one thing people overlook is , its easy to swap magnets on cheap pickups easliy usually they are mounted at the bottom im going to swap the magnets on my les paul pickups for alnico 3 magnets once my tele is up and running .

[@GunsandGuitars]

The only issue with swapping magnets is that the pickups are wound specifically to complement the magnets they are made with. Swapping the magnet can change the sound, but almost never for the better. You really need to swap the pickup if you want different magnets.

[@gunnsmoke357]

Hey man, so you can adjust the tension on a neck without being connected to the body?

[@GunsandGuitars]

Yes

[@elwaupo1]

How can I reach this guy to buy direct from him?, he says he has a link but I don’t know how to access it

[@manningcustom]

how do you put the strings through the body? I get that you drill a hole and feet the string through the back. but it's just wood. Won't the sting pull through over time? the ring at the end of the string seems like it would dig into the wood and not stay in tune?

[@GunsandGuitars]

Not as long as the wood is harder and stronger than the string tension. If that were the case, the lateral force of a top loaded bridge would pull the bridge up screws and all. Some people use metal ferrules “just in case” but I’ve found it’s not necessary. My instruments have excellent tuning stability.

[@manningcustom]

@@GunsandGuitars do you countersink the holes so that the piece isn't sticking out the back?

[@manningcustom]

are you still using those pickups with the 4 different pickups inside? Where you can switch to so many options? I would love to add that to my bass

[@TheModmc]

i typically scuff up with 600 paper and leave it like that

[@GregSturmon]

Hey man. I almost 100% with all your recommendations over your videos. I’m actually in the middle of building my first bass from scratch (pre made neck though). You’ve inspired me so much over the last couple years!!! Enough to do it. So yeah, I love your channel and what you do. But, that high mass bridge you recommend, I got one. Straight garbage. Barely adjustable (the way it was machined. It’s like it wasn’t…). All the pieces had a thread or two travel and would seize past that. So in other words, I couldn’t get it to work well on 3 different basses. That was MY exp. Anyway. So maybe report that when you recommend it. I mean, it’s $30 shipped I think, so it’s not I’m expecting perfection. But it would be nice if it worked well enough to use.

[@GregSturmon]

But other than that, keep it up man!!! Love it and it’s inspiring.

[@GunsandGuitars]

If you’re referring to the intonation adjustment screws, you need to cut them to size because the screw can’t travel through the whole saddle like on cheaper bridges. This is common even on high end bridges. All the other screws on it for saddle height and string spacing should have full adjustment not problem. If not, you got a bad one. Send it back and get a different one. But a pair of large wire cutters will make quick work of getting your intonation screws the proper length. Hope that helps!

[@GunsandGuitars]

One more thing, it’s not a high mass bridge. It’s a clone of a high mass bridge, but it’s made with lighter weight metal. I don’t care for high mass bridges because they darken the tone, that’s one of the reasons I like this clone better than the original. Still get nice bright tone, with all the adjustment and sustain of the original.

[@GregSturmon]

@@GunsandGuitars pretty much any screw on it is that way. Even the bridge saddle screws. So I must’ve got a bad one. I figured I’d mention it though since you sell them. Thanks for the advice for sure.

[@badxxxmonkey5541]

That's a "handsome" guitar. Really pro.

[@MrDaveKC]

Third?

[@peteymckinzie6216]

Where do you get Wilkinson 5 string pickups from?

[@GunsandGuitars]

If they make them I would imagine they would be on eBay or Amazon

[@JamieLamb]

Yeah, there is a bit more sustain. And your fingers move with way more economical and seem to put in less effort. Well done, my friend!

[@brittboyette8617]

In the demo, are those different pickups?

[@GunsandGuitars]

Yes, which I mentioned. If you missed it, check out my best budget bass upgrades I made two weeks ago. I talk about the pickups a good amount.

[@LilYeshua]

Have you tried the Babicz bridge?

[@GunsandGuitars]

Yes, they are good, but not worth price tag in my opinion.

[@LilYeshua]

@@GunsandGuitars ok. Thanks. They didn't let the strings ring out with attack.

[@MattCaffell]

Only 1 away 🤐😢😥😭🤐 Congrats David, Would the wiring tricks work with a preamp?

[@MrDaveKC]

😁🎸

[@GunsandGuitars]

The series parallel switch would work. Blower wouldn’t because it would bypass the preamp. Stereo wouldn’t work because it requires both the tip and ring lugs of a TRS jack, and so does a preamp.

[@MattCaffell]

@@GunsandGuitars I'm thinking of having a preamp bypass for the battery drop out

[@iamLexxKelsey]

I want a cheap bass with a wood grain finish like that

[@GunsandGuitars]

This one wasn’t like that from the factory. It was painted solid red but my friend stripped and refinished it a couple years ago.

[@tombrackettjr.9308]

Dan, thanks for your comments on scammers. I got taken for $177 from someone saying I won a flying V on another site. So stupid of me. If anyone ever ask you to send money through friends and family on PayPal do not do that. Because you cannot dispute that charge. Lastly I have a question. I want to buy a wiring kit on your site but Paypal is the only option. Can I just use a credit card?

[@StinkfaceMcPew]

Man those bugs in the background messed me up. I kept thinking a sink was running.

[@GunsandGuitars]

Seriously. They are the worst.

[@jacobsaldana9661]

Are we gonna get a reaction from your friend when they get this bass??

[@marcosneves6519]

💥👏🏻👏🏻🇧🇷👏🏻👏🏻💥

[@joshmoore4378]

I need a bass

[@joshmoore4378]

Hell yeah

[@joshmoore4378]

550 Green Ridge Loop, Afton, TN 37616

[@95FORFREEDOM]

Watching your hands, after the set up you are definitely not having to work as hard to play.

[@J.C...]

That neck wasn't super glossy. 🤷

[@georgyj111111]

Night and day......

[@roccocroce]

“At the very MOST, next to nothing” ***

[@perkins1439]

I bet Ted Nugent loves this channel

[@josephguillermo3007]

Talking about the scammers….I got the text and message for the bass six. I was so confused and scared. Was that legit or was i scammed??

[@GunsandGuitars]

I sold the bass vi build last month, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I hope you didn’t send anyone money

[@josephguillermo3007]

@@GunsandGuitars, I received a message via KZbin on the comment. It told me Guns and guitars replied to your comment. It had you face and the comment told me to reply to this phone number. I responded. They asked how long have I been following the channel. Then asked if I was in the US. Asked for my address. Then they stated I would pay for the shipping. Then asked if I had Zelle or PayPal. I said I didn’t, and never used it. Told them to give it to the next person.

[@charlesfranklin2112]

As a Guitar Tech I highly suggest NOT doing any fret work if you do not know what your doing. Its very easy to mess up, take it to a Tech or a Luthier and have it done Professionally. I won't be told otherwise.....

[@GunsandGuitars]

And how is someone to learn?

[@charlesfranklin2112]

@@GunsandGuitars There's a number of ways people can, it might not necessarily be straight forward but here's a few. Go to a guitar company that runs guitar building courses I.E ESP or Crimson guitars in the U.K (where I'm based) There are company's that offer different types of Guitar building/maintenance courses that cover a lot of the work you've outlined in your videos. Ask to shadow a Guitar Tech or Luthier to see how they go about business- you can never ask to many questions.

[@jcout25]

I bought a cheap guitar and taught myself. If you have good tools and go slow, fretwork is not difficult at all. On a different note, your grammar would prevent me from ever taking my guitars to you to perform a setup.

[@BobJones-bh9qz]

Please for the love of all things good, stop using the same exact songs in the background of every single vid, I love your vids content but please 😭

[@user-ny4lx3vt2p]

Its not upgrade its just normal service

[@GunsandGuitars]

Sanding the back of the neck and drilling though the body is normal service?

[@user-ny4lx3vt2p]

@@GunsandGuitars you really think, that it's make guitar some better? Lmao

[@xechiklank4963]

For the love of all that is holy, use normal measurements!!!! What the F is 9/64ths?!

[@J.C...]

Bruh. Clean that nasty fretboard. FKN GROSS. Doesn't matter what you do to a neck when it's that nasty. That's FKN gross. I clean mine EVERY STRING CHANGE. SMDH.