For bass players seeking to expand their sonic palette and personalize their instrument, exploring the world of bass mods is a game-changer. Just like guitarists, bassists can significantly alter their instrument’s sound and feel through strategic modifications. If you’re looking to take your bass guitar to the next level, understanding bass mods is the first step in unlocking a world of tonal possibilities.
Bass Mods Bass Review
In the realm of musical instruments, the quest for the perfect tone is a never-ending journey. Many bassists, like myself, have experienced the desire for a bass that truly embodies their individual style and sonic aspirations. While off-the-shelf basses offer a great starting point, bass mods provide the key to tailoring your instrument to meet your specific needs and preferences. My personal journey into bass mods began when I realized my trusty Steinberger clone, while unique and visually striking, lacked the tonal versatility I needed for exploring diverse musical genres.
Seeking a bass with a broader sonic range, I embarked on a search for an instrument that could be a true “master of disguise,” capable of adapting to various styles and musical contexts. This led me to discover a company dedicated to crafting high-quality basses with an emphasis on customizable electronics and hardware – Bass Mods. This exploration ultimately led to my own Bass Mods bass, an instrument that truly delivered on the promise of enhanced tonal flexibility and personalized performance. Let’s delve into the world of bass mods and explore how they can transform your bass playing experience.
Discovering Bass Mods: A Deep Dive into Custom Bass Guitar Enhancement
The story of Bass Mods is intrinsically linked to Robert Lemas, the driving force behind this innovative company. Lemas, acting as owner, designer, assembler, and marketer, operates with a vision to provide bass players with instruments that offer exceptional quality and customization without breaking the bank. His approach involves sourcing quality bass bodies and necks and then equipping them with top-tier electronics and hardware, effectively “modding” them into high-performance instruments. This philosophy allows Bass Mods to offer basses packed with features and superior components at a surprisingly accessible price point, often around $1,000.
Intrigued by the online buzz and impressed by the specifications, I reached out to Rob Lemas himself. During our conversation, his passion for bass and commitment to quality were immediately apparent. He explained his dedication to creating instruments that not only sound exceptional but are also built to withstand the rigors of professional use for years to come. The level of customization offered by Bass Mods was also a major draw. I was able to choose the exact finish I desired from their available stock, further personalizing my instrument before it even arrived. This personalized experience, combined with the promise of a high-performance bass, solidified my decision to invest in a Bass Mods instrument.
Bass Mods Logo
My chosen bass was an NT-5 “neck-through” 5-string model, a design known for its enhanced sustain and tonal clarity. From the moment it arrived, it was clear that this was no ordinary bass. The striking aesthetics, coupled with the promise of versatile sound, made it an instrument that was sure to command attention, both visually and sonically.
The Visual Allure and Sonic Foundation of Bass Mods Instruments
The first impression of my Bass Mods bass was undeniably its unique and somewhat unconventional body shape. As one friend aptly put it, “It’s….pointy.” While the downward-pointing horn might be a talking point, for me, the visual aspect was secondary to the instrument’s sonic capabilities and overall value. The real visual draw for me was the exquisite top wood grain. Beneath the surface of solid mahogany lay a captivating layer of spalted maple, exhibiting an almost otherworldly, organic pattern. This “alien” aesthetic was a significant factor in my choice, reflecting my personal taste for the unique and unconventional.
Spalted maple, with its distinctive black “veins,” is a result of a natural process of fungal colonization within the wood. This spalting, far from being a defect, creates stunning visual patterns that make each piece of wood truly unique. The black lines are actually evidence of fungal activity, adding character and visual depth to the instrument. However, the beauty of the spalted maple top was just the beginning. The true magic of Bass Mods lies in its meticulously crafted electronics and their impact on the instrument’s sound.
Unleashing a Symphony of Tones: The Power of Bass Mods Electronics
The heart of any bass guitar mod, especially in Bass Mods instruments, lies in its electronics. My Bass Mods bass is equipped with an 18v 3-band preamp, a powerhouse of tonal shaping capabilities. This advanced electronic system provides an unprecedented level of control over the bass’s output, allowing for precise customization to suit virtually any musical style or sonic requirement. The sheer configurability of the electronics is, without exaggeration, astounding.
Let’s break down the individual controls and how they contribute to the expansive tonal palette of this bass:
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Volume & Active/Passive Knob: This knob functions as a master volume control, but also incorporates an active/passive switch. In the “down” position, the active circuitry is engaged, providing a brighter, more articulate, and sculpted tone ideal for cutting through dense mixes or achieving modern, punchy sounds. Pulling the knob “up” switches to passive mode, delivering a warmer, more rounded, and traditional bass tone. The active mode is particularly effective for achieving a dominant presence in a band setting, ensuring your bass lines are heard and felt.
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Pickup Blend Knob: This knob controls the balance between the neck and bridge pickups. Turning it clockwise emphasizes the bridge pickup, resulting in a brighter, more articulate tone with enhanced upper-midrange presence, well-suited for soloing or funk styles. Counter-clockwise rotation favors the neck pickup, producing a warmer, fuller tone with a pronounced low-end, perfect for classic rock, soul, and R&B.
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Sweepable EQ Stacked Knob: This dual-concentric knob offers precise control over the high and low frequencies. The upper knob allows you to select the specific high frequencies you want to boost or cut, while the lower knob sweeps through the low frequencies, providing similar fine-tuning capability. This combination allows for surgical precision in shaping the bass’s frequency response, enabling you to dial in everything from crisp highs to deep, resonant lows.
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Midrange Knob: This dedicated midrange control is essential for shaping the bass’s presence in the mix. Boosting the midrange can help the bass cut through in a busy mix, while cutting it can create a scooped tone often favored in rock and metal genres. It’s a crucial tool for adjusting the bass’s overall character and ensuring it sits perfectly within the band’s sonic landscape.
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Bass Knob: The bass knob controls the low-frequency content, adding depth and fullness to the tone. It’s the foundation for creating a thick, powerful bass sound, essential for genres like reggae, dub, and heavy rock. Careful adjustment of this knob is key to achieving a balanced and impactful low-end response.
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Overdrive: A built-in overdrive circuit adds a layer of grit and harmonic complexity to the bass tone. This feature effectively eliminates the need for an external overdrive pedal, providing instant access to a range of distorted tones, from subtle warmth to aggressive crunch, directly from the bass itself.
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Leveling Switch: This switch instantly engages an equal blend of both pickups, offering a pre-set balanced tone. It serves as a convenient way to quickly switch to a different sonic character compared to your dialed-in knob settings, providing on-the-fly tonal variations during performance.
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Passive Switch: In the event of battery failure during a performance, the passive switch acts as a crucial backup. Engaging this switch bypasses the active electronics, allowing the bass to function in passive mode, ensuring the show can go on without interruption.
These comprehensive electronic controls, combined with the high-quality Kent Armstrong soapbar pickups, contribute to the exceptional sonic versatility of Bass Mods instruments. The Kent Armstrong pickups deliver a rich, full, and articulate tone, described as having “wide, deep, chocolatey goodness.” Prior to owning this bass, I was unfamiliar with Kent Armstrong pickups, but their performance has made me a true believer in their quality and sonic character.
Bass Mods Bass Body Detail
The combination of these meticulously selected components and thoughtfully designed electronics results in a bass that is capable of producing an almost limitless array of tones. Whether in a live performance or studio recording setting, this Bass Mods bass provides all the sonic tools needed to excel in any musical situation.
Beyond Sound: Build Quality and Hardware Excellence
The quality of a bass guitar extends beyond its electronics and sound. The hardware and overall construction play a crucial role in playability, tuning stability, and long-term reliability. Bass Mods instruments are built with a focus on quality components throughout, and this is evident in the hardware choices.
The tuners, for example, are remarkably smooth and precise, making tuning adjustments effortless and accurate. Despite their ease of use, they hold tuning incredibly well, even over extended periods of non-use. This tuning stability is a testament to the quality of the hardware and the overall construction of the bass.
The Weight Factor: A Consideration for Some Bassists
While Bass Mods basses offer numerous advantages, one factor to consider is their weight. These are not lightweight instruments. If you are accustomed to the featherweight feel of basses like my Steinberger clone, the substantial weight of a Bass Mods bass may require adjustment. These basses are built with solid materials and robust construction, contributing to their substantial feel.
Bass Mods Bass Full Body
My NT-5 weighs in at 9.8 pounds, which is a noticeable weight for some players. However, the weight is not excessive and, in my opinion, contributes to the instrument’s resonant sustain and overall solid feel. The substantial build quality imparts a sense of quality and durability, reinforcing the feeling of playing a serious, professional-grade instrument. While weight is a subjective preference, it is a factor to be aware of when considering a Bass Mods bass.
A Versatile Workhorse: The Bass Mods Advantage
In my studio, alongside a Paul Reed Smith guitar, my Bass Mods bass stands out as one of the most sonically versatile instruments I own. Its ability to adapt to a wide range of musical styles, combined with its striking aesthetics and robust build quality, makes it an exceptional instrument. The “built-like-a-Death-Star moxie” is not an exaggeration; these basses are designed to be reliable workhorses for demanding musicians.
Adding to the value proposition, Bass Mods includes a complimentary Plek setup with every bass. The Plek process ensures optimal string action and intonation by precisely leveling the frets and optimizing the nut. This attention to detail results in an instrument that plays effortlessly and intonates perfectly across the fretboard. The Plek setup is a significant added benefit, ensuring that each Bass Mods bass arrives ready to play at its absolute best.
If you are in the market for a new bass and value tonal versatility, exceptional build quality, and personalized customization, I highly recommend exploring the offerings from Bass Mods. Visit their website to discover their range of instruments and experience the world of bass mods firsthand.
And if you do decide to check them out, let Rob know that Teaj from Seriousgas sent you. He’ll appreciate knowing his dedication to quality and craftsmanship is recognized and valued within the bass community.
We also value your experiences and insights here at guitarplayers.net. If you have your own bass stories, particularly any experiences with Bass Mods instruments, please share them in the comments section below. We encourage you to connect with fellow bassists and share your gear acquisition journey and passion for all things bass! Now, grab your bass, plug in, and make some music!
- Teaj
