Need suggestions from you DIY types

[Jwar]

First of all, I am a total NOOB (not to be confused with BOOB) when it comes to DIY stuff. I have literally used a soldering iron like 2 times in my life. Last time I used one was to solder my pick ups back in place because somehow they was fucked. Anyway, I want suggestions. This doesn't necessarily have to do with soldering but DIY'ing things in general. I want to re-vamp my Jackson bass. I LUV this bass and play it constantly, but it's missing some parts (a tuner key, some knobs...nothing major). I was thinking about replacing these, but then I was also thinking "what else"? Right? I mean why just do those simple things when I could do something great? Being a total NEEEEWBBB to things of this nature, I've tried to do research and I fail at that as well. Anyways....what do you suggest ILF? Should I strip the paint and repaint this bitch? Tear the pick ups out and put some actives in or better passives? Add something crazy to it??????? I don't know!!!!!! HELP!!!!!!! Ideas please! Links to where I can buy parts. I seriously am too stupid to even find five string tuner keys. Seriously. I've googled and am either blind or just plain retarded.

Ok, here are pics...

[Jwar]

13 views and zero opinions...hmmmm....

[ashdown]

14th view first opinion?

i saw you do a swirled paintjob. easy to do http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/swirled.htm

i did it to my first bass. i can get better pics up if you want but if you do it right it turns out like this

[Jero]

If you are doing something to the finish, be ready to put in WORK. That is not a weekend project by any means. Of course, there are ways you could refinish it in a weekend, but I'm speaking in 'general for best results' type finishes.

i saw you do a swirled paintjob. easy to do http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/swirled.htm
i did it to my first bass. i can get better pics up if you want but if you do it right it turns out like this

That actually turned out great. Where'd you get the marked fretless neck?

[Jero]

Oh yea, for starters, I would only change the things that NEED work. So ask yourself, "What's wrong with it?"

Tuners - Ones missing so you'll want a new set (if can't find a single peg).
Pickups - Do they sound bad? Is there some other sound you're looking for? If not, then you prob shouldn't change them
Bridge - Looks solid to me, no need to change IMO.
Controls/Components - Are the pots scratchy at all? Does the jack still hold a cable well?
Finish/Aesthetics - Are you happy with the way it looks? Even something as simple as a knob change can the instruments vibe.

[ashdown]

i pried out the frets then filled the grooves with wood putty, then put epoxy on the fretboard and polished it. if you take your time and go slow, you can do it with barely any damage to your fretboard, maybe a splinter here or there but not too many

i also suggest stepping back and thinking about what you need/want to do to this bass instead of just all the things you can. for example with the bass i posted earlier i de-fretted it because i could and it seemed cool, but i had never actually played a fretless bass and still wish i didnt take the frets out haha

[Jwar]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

There is nothing really wrong with the bass. The pick ups do sound good and I like the way the fret board is now. I was mainly thinking of changing some hardware, maybe the color...stuff like that. But I'm open to doing other cool stuff.

Where can I find some good deals on knobs and tuner keys? Anyone know?

[jfrey]

Unique knobs are always cool. Obviously get new tuner(s). Maybe add a straplock system. Those are always good to have. I can't tell you how many shows I have been to where either a guitarist or bassist nearly lost their instrument because the strap came loose.

[Jero]

I use guitarfetish for those types of things generally, but their bass parts are limited