As bassists, we’re used to peering into control cavities like this, but our guitarist buddies might faint at the sight.
As bassists, we’re used to peering into control cavities like this, but our guitarist buddies might faint at the sight.
Low-enders! Welcome to the Bass Bench, my new column about all things bass— from its fundamental frequencies to its fundamental musical mission. We’ll explore modding and also seek to understand your instrument and its main parts. We’ll cover basic maintenance and setup, and even ways to stay cool when your bass malfunctions in the most inappropriate moment.
Here at PG, there’s been a long tradition of offering modding and maintenance ideas for guitarists, but let’s face it, basses and bassists have different needs. While our colleagues are struggling with another attempt to rewire a 5-way switch and test out yet another vintage capacitor, we low-enders have already swapped in our fifth 36-volt, fully parametric 4-band EQ.
Basses have real strings too—not just those tiny .010" wires that are just a few times as thick as a human hair! Our mainly non-tube bass amps are burlier than guitar amps, as are our cabs. In short: Bass players embrace cuttingedge technology and care about big, tough rigs.
Though we might start by simply adding a new pickguard, our bass mods can include swapping electronics and pickups, replacing bridges and necks, and even attempting some Jaco-inspired fretless conversions. Whatever the mod, I like to categorize it as one of four types: visual, functional, ergonomic, or tonal. Categorizing a mod helps us focus on the desired outcome, but these categories can be less distinct than you might initially think.
For example, applying a new finish (which would come under the visual category) will often alter tone. Adding an ergonomic thumb rest might hurt functionality for slap-style playing. Balancing an instrument makes it more ergonomic, and that introduces a relaxed functionality for your left hand. And those new tuners (functional category) can shift sonic dead spots to where they really hurt. These things all connect, sometimes in unexpected ways.
So why consider modding? Maybe you’re unhappy with your bass in one of the categories we’ve outlined. Perhaps your playing has evolved and you want to make your instrument more suited to your current abilities. Or you want to get closer to that unaffordable dream bass. Or maybe you think tinkering is fun.
Perhaps you’re one of those players who needs to know how your main tool works, and you want to be prepared to make a quick repair or adjustment when faced with a problem in the studio or on tour. Most of us go through life without our own guitar tech. If an output jack breaks minutes before you go onstage—and it will, there’s a law about that—you’ll be left completely on your own. And you’ll be glad you’re not viewing your instrument’s innards for the first time.
Okay, when isn’t it a good idea to mod your bass? For starters, some mods can’t be reversed. Or they’ll hurt the resale value or blow your budget or make a particular problem even worse. Often, I have to slow customers down instead of just taking their money and doing the job. Remember, it’s best to move incrementally and take one step at a time. You can easily lose control by, say, changing pickups and electronics at the same time.
In terms of importance, here’s how I rank our four categories: functional, tonal, ergonomic, and finally visual. If the instrument lacks functionality—specifically good playability— I won’t invest any time or money into tonal mods, let alone a visual one. Your priorities might differ, but if you don’t feel that your current instrument is a real keeper, don’t waste too much time on it. That said, if you’re just doing mods for fun—a perfectly acceptable goal—get a low-budget instrument for your first experiments.
Another thing: Always keep the original parts and don’t be afraid to ask a luthier for help. A skilled pro should be able to give you some advice. The more you know about your instrument, the better you can judge if the repairperson is just looking for work or is eager to win you as a future customer.
Before you begin a project, ask yourself these questions: What’s my budget? What mods are the most effective? What’s the value of my instrument? Are there affordable replacements if I ruin it? Is it smart to start a project the day before my biggest, oncein- a-lifetime studio job? Am I just bored or fixing up the instrument to sell it?
Modifying your wiring is cheap, pretty predictable, and reversible. Conversely, spending your last bucks on your hero’s favorite pickup could turn into a huge disappointment if you don’t take other factors into account.
If you’re not happy with your instrument’s playability, visit your local dealer and test-drive a few basses. There’s a good chance your dream machine already exists. If not, you should take every chance to compare various basses, so you understand what you really want.
And finally, don’t spend your whole budget on a new finish unless you really love the rest of the bass. Even then, think twice: Function rules!
In my next columns, we’ll heat up the soldering iron and try some basic wiring projects. The goal will be to learn what can break most often and how to fix it on your own. See you then!
Metallica's M72 World Tour will be extended into a third year with 21 North American shows spanning April, May, and June 2025.
The M72 World Tour’s 2025 itinerary will continue the hallowed No Repeat Weekend tradition, with each night of the two-show stands featuring entirely different setlists and support lineups. These will include the band’s first Nashville shows in five years on May 1 and 3 at Nissan Stadium, as well as Metallica’s return to Tampa after 15 years on June 6 and 8 at Raymond James Stadium. M72 has also confirmed its much anticipated Bay Area hometown play, to take place June 20 and 22 with the band’s debut performances at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
In a new twist, M72 2025 will feature several single shows bringing the tour’s full production, with its massive in-the-round stage, to venues including two college football stadiums: JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York on April 19, and Metallica's first ever visit to Blacksburg, Virginia, home of the Virginia Tech Hokies. The May 7 show at Lane Stadium will mark the culmination of 20+ years of “Enter Sandman” playing as the Hokies take the field.
In addition to playing football stadiums across the nation, the M72 World Tour’s 2025 itinerary will also include two festival headlines—the first being the opening night of the run April 12 at Sick New World at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. May 9 and 11 will then mark a festival/No Repeat Weekend combo as Metallica plays two headline sets at Sonic Temple at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Support on M72’s 2025 North American run will come from Pantera, Limp Bizkit, Suicidal Tendencies and Ice Nine Kills. See below for specifics.
Additionally, M72 2025 will see Metallica’s long-awaited return to Australia and New Zealand.
M72’s 2025 North American leg is produced by Live Nation and presented by new sponsor inKind. inKind rewards diners with special offers and credit back when they use the app to pay at 2,000+ top-rated restaurants nationwide. The company provides innovative financing to participating restaurants in a way that enables new levels of sustainability and success. Metallica fans can learn more at inkind.com.
Citi is the official card of the M72 tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, September 24 at 10am local time until Thursday, September 26 at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program.
Verizon will offer an exclusive presale for the M72 tour in the U.S through Verizon Access, just for being a customer. Verizon Access Presale tickets for select shows will begin Tuesday, September 24 at 10am local time until Thursday, September 26 at 10pm local time.
* Citi and Verizon presales will not be available for Sick New World, Sonic Temple or the Toronto dates. Verizon presale will not be available for the Nashville, Blacksburg or Landover shows.
As always, a portion of proceeds from every ticket sold will go to local charities via the band’s All Within My Hands foundation. Established in 2017 as a way to give back to communities that have supported Metallica over the years, All Within My Hands has raised over $15 million – providing $8.2 million in grants to career and technical education programs including the ground-breaking Metallica Scholars Initiative, now in its sixth year, over $3.6 million to combat food insecurity, more than $3.5 million to disaster relief efforts.
For more information, please visit metallica.com.
Metallica M72 North America 2025 Tour Dates
April 12 Las Vegas, NV Sick New World @ Las Vegas Festival Grounds
April 19 Syracuse, NY JMA Wireless Dome *
April 24 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre *
April 26 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre +
May 1 Nashville, TN Nissan Stadium *
May 3 Nashville, TN Nissan Stadium +
May 7 Blacksburg, VA Lane Stadium *
May 9 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple @ Historic Crew Stadium
May 11 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple @ Historic Crew Stadium
May 23 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field +
May 25 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field *
May 28 Landover, MD Northwest Stadium *
May 31 Charlotte, NC Bank of America Stadium *
June 3 Atlanta, GA Mercedes-Benz Stadium *
June 6 Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium +
June 8 Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium *
June 14 Houston, TX NRG Stadium *
June 20 Santa Clara, CA Levi's Stadium +
June 22 Santa Clara, CA Levi's Stadium *
June 27 Denver, CO Empower Field at Mile High +
June 29 Denver, CO Empower Field at Mile High *
* Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies support
+ Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills supp
Beetronics FX Tuna Fuzz pedal offers vintage-style fuzz in a quirky tuna can enclosure.
With a single "Stinker" knob for volume control and adjustable fuzz gain from your guitar's volume knob, this pedal is both unique and versatile.
"The unique tuna can format embodies the creative spirit that has always been the heart of Beetronics, but don’t let the unusual package fool you: the Tuna Fuzz is a serious pedal with great tone. It offers a preset level of vintage-style fuzz in a super simple single-knob format. Its “Stinker” knob controls the amount of volume boost. You can control the amount of fuzz with your guitar’s volume knob, and the Tuna Fuzz cleans up amazingly well when you roll back the volume on your guitar. To top it off, Beetronics has added a cool Tunabee design on the PCB, visible through the plastic back cover."
The Tuna Fuzz draws inspiration from Beetronics founder Filipe's early days of tinkering, when limitedfunds led him to repurpose tuna cans as pedal enclosures. Filipe even shared his ingenuity by teachingclasses in Brazil, showing kids how to build pedals using these unconventional housings. Although Filipe eventually stopped making pedals with tuna cans, the early units were a hit on social media whenever photos were posted.
Tuna Fuzz features include:
- Single knob control – “Stinker” – for controlling output volume
- Preset fuzz gain, adjustable from your guitar’s volume knob
- 9-volt DC operation using standard external power supply – no battery compartment
- True bypass switching
One of the goals of this project was to offer an affordable price so that everyone could own a Beetronicspedal. For that reason, the pedal will be sold exclusively on beetronicsfx.com for a sweet $99.99.
For more information, please visit beetronicsfx.com.
What are Sadler’s favorite Oasis jams? And if he ever shares a bill with Oasis and they ask him onstage, what song does he want to join in on?
Once the news of the Oasis reunion got out, Sadler Vaden hit YouTube hard on the tour bus, driving his bandmates crazy. The Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit guitarist has been a Noel Gallagher mega-fan since he was a teenager, so he joined us to wax poetic about Oasis’ hooks, Noel’s guitar sound, and the band’s symphonic melodies. What are Sadler’s favorite Oasis jams? And if he ever shares a bill with Oasis and they ask him onstage, what song does he want to join in on?
Check out the Epiphone Noel Gallagher Riviera Dark Wine Red at epiphone.com
EBS introduces the Solder-Free Flat Patch Cable Kit, featuring dual anchor screws for secure fastening and reliable audio signal.
EBS is proud to announce its adjustable flat patch cable kit. It's solder-free and leverages a unique design that solves common problems with connection reliability thanks to its dual anchor screws and its flat cable design. These two anchor screws are specially designed to create a secure fastening in the exterior coating of the rectangular flat cable. This helps prevent slipping and provides a reliable audio signal and a neat pedal board and also provide unparalleled grounding.
The EBS Solder-Free Flat Patch Cable is designed to be easy to assemble. Use the included Allen Key to tighten the screws and the cutter to cut the cable in desired lengths to ensure consistent quality and easy assembling.
The EBS Solder-Free Flat Patch Cable Kit comes in two sizes. Either 10 connector housings with 2,5 m (8.2 ft) cable or 6 connectors housings with 1,5 m (4.92 ft) cable. Tools included.
Use the EBS Solder-free Flat Patch Cable Kit to make cables to wire your entire pedalboard or to create custom-length cables to use in combination with any of the EBS soldered Flat Patch Cables.
Estimated Price:
MAP Solder-free Flat Patch Cable Kit 6 pcs: $ 59,99
MAP Solder-free Flat Patch Cable Kit 10 pcs: $ 79,99
MSRP Solder-free Flat Patch Cable Kit 6 pcs: 44,95 €
MSRP Solder-free Flat Patch Cable Kit 10 pcs: 64,95 €
For more information, please visit ebssweden.com.