Terry M.

Interesting. I would lump them all under "modified" just based on my personal experience over the years. I've never (from memory) had a bass that had tuners and a bridge that didn't do what they were designed to do. My issue if I had one had always been some other aspect. Again this is only my experience. I don't play and hold notes long enough for sustain to be a concern of mine. I understand this is one reason for bridge swaps.

This.

This must happen so much after making changes 🤔

But I'm sure you can appreciate that not everybody likes Aguilar pickups or Sadowsky preamps? Which is why I think "upgrade" should be replaced with "modified." Either way it's good it worked out for you 👍

Let us know how you get on with it? 😂

True enough. I once modded a bass to the point that I wondered if it was still even a bass!! Of course I'm exaggerating but the point is it still sold. These days however I stay away from modding and would rather buy used basses as they left the factory. The exception is white pickguards. I really can't get on with them aesthetically so I tend to change them out and when I move them on I always include them.

This.

Agreed.

A lot of "collectors" can't and don't play. It's for investment purposes. I've met individuals personally who don't play yet have quite a collection. How many art collectors can even draw a stick man? Hence why I said "actual" players.

Nope I definitely won't disagree with that 😊

I agree with this. A touch of relief makes the bass feel like it's "talking" to me. I know it sounds weird 😊

I was told that it's collectors rather than actual players that have contributed to the rising prices of old gear. No idea if that's the case or not but it would make a degree of sense if so.

You can still play exuberantly and overplay without digging in. In fact I think it's easier to 😊

These guys do ALL my set ups. Forensic is an excellent description of their set up work. I'm not sure how they achieve it but I'm glad they do. Martin and John are NOT allowed to ever retire 😂

Wow that's crazy 😂

Valid point 👍 My set up gives me the most comfort which in turn enhances the playing experience and inspires me without worrying about fatigue over longer playing periods.

I noticed that dropping from a 130 gauge B string to 120 along with my light touch and low action gave me NO less fundamental whatsoever. Just my experience. So it's been 40-120 for me ever since.

Low action has to work in conjunction with individual technique. Buzzing is generally accepted as TOO low unless it's a part of one's sound. I find buzz intolerable so the action needs to be low but just outside of Buzz City. It works for many people but again, technique comes into play. And then some basses are easier to achieve this than others. Lakland basses (for example) are great for low action fans. I don't use them but there must be a reason ramps are popular to those who choose them.

The 3 individuals you mention are just 3 individuals with an opinion. Anthony Jackson apparently uses a low action,as does Victor Wooton,as did Jaco Pastorius and countless others. Just do what works for you. It really doesn't matter what works for anybody else whether famous or not.

Absolutely true 👍

Hahaha some of the Ampeg B15s I've seen for sale look ready for the scrap heap. Not all of them to be fair 😂

I'll go as far to suggest that the fascination of old beaten up gear has given rise to the relicing fad we're currently witnessing. A brand new (expensive) bass made to look battered also escapes my understanding.

This is why I can't understand the prices of old Fenders. I've played a few in shops and it didn't help to clarify things for me at all. Everything definitely isn't for everyone.

Which is why I bought the Squier Affinty Active Jazz V. I almost feel like I'm being pranked. It's that good. Good choice on your part.

My unscientific theory is that this "fuller and rounder" sound with high action is achievable with a low action and a turn of the volume knob. I've never noticed a difference in tone before and after a set up where the action has been significantly lowered.