tedmanzie Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Just curious if it can be done successfully..! I was looking at my P-Bass last night and thinking it would make a rather nice tightly spaced 5 stringer... (in my imagination) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_c2 Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Where would you get the bridge from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skol303 Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I'm sure it could be done, but it sounds like a bad idea all round. Like converting a Robin Reliant into a Renault Clio. Just buy a Clio. Or a five string bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineweasel Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 This guy has done a few: http://www.3dentourage.com/425/425.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 (edited) This is something I intend to do if I can get hold of a P-bass with a C width neck. The required hardware, if you can find one, is a Wilkinson device from yonks ago called a 4+1. It requires no mods to the instrument, except, of course, a new nut. The original kit came complete with a B string! I got the 4+1 off someone here, but have not yet used it... Edited December 22, 2016 by Telebass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted December 22, 2016 Author Share Posted December 22, 2016 [quote name='paul_c2' timestamp='1482413881' post='3200316'] Where would you get the bridge from? [/quote] Santa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 There's a guy on eBay, a real guitar 'improver' who can turn a silk purse into a sows ear... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted December 22, 2016 Author Share Posted December 22, 2016 [quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1482415881' post='3200360'] This is something I intend to do if I can get hold of a P-bass with a C width neck. The required hardware, if you can find one, is a Wilkinson device from yonks ago called a 4+1. It requires no mods to the instrument, except, of course, a new nut. The original kit came complete with a B string! I got the 4+1 off someone here, but have not yet used it... [/quote] Thanks for the info, I seem to have a memory of this device, I must have looked it up at some point. The 5 strings wouldn't run so neatly between the P-Bass pole pieces, would this be an issue do you think? And the strings would be slightly angled after the nut but i guess that's not a big deal - the guy on the link above has a string tree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted December 22, 2016 Author Share Posted December 22, 2016 [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1482416185' post='3200368'] There's a guy on eBay, a real guitar 'improver' who can turn a silk purse into a sows ear... [/quote] Oh yes! Maybe he could turn my 4 string into a 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I seem to remember someone advertising 4 to 5 string conversion kits in guitar mags in the early 90s. Maybe someone still makes them? Not sure I see the point though. Back then 5s still weren't that common and they tended to be a lot more expensive than 4 strings of the same model. These days they're easily obtainable and normally only a fraction more than the equivalent 4 string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 [quote name='tedmanzie' timestamp='1482416315' post='3200373'] Thanks for the info, I seem to have a memory of this device, I must have looked it up at some point. The 5 strings wouldn't run so neatly between the P-Bass pole pieces, would this be an issue do you think? And the strings would be slightly angled after the nut but i guess that's not a big deal - the guy on the link above has a string tree. [/quote] The misalignment over the pickup would have zero effect. But if you're OCD about that sort of thing, it's a definite non-starter! The D string is reversed and anchored at the string tree, tuned at the bridge. There's little change in string angles, but there must be some, I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I've seen it done on a bass which I guess wasn't available as a 5 (it was some sort of Rick). Guess it would be fine if you don't mind the tight spacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1482416185' post='3200368'] There's a guy on eBay, a real guitar 'improver' who can turn a silk purse into a sows ear... [/quote] Pretty sure he exclusively works the other way, turning 5 stringers into 4 stringers for those with "builders' hands". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I was wondering that. I just got a thunderbird and I quite like it, but it only has 4 strings, so it probably isn't a long term keeper, but if I could make it 5 string, maybe it would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I've seen it done. The results were terrible. I can't see any point when mint condition Bass Collection SB315s are being sold on eBay for 155 quid, it would cost you that for a bridge and an extra machine head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I did it yonks back; shocked a few folks at the time, but it was my one bass for about 20 years, so it definitely worked superbly for me. It worked a treat, and I still have the same bass in headless form and rather nicely spruced up, if i say so myself: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/44673-ibanez-roadster-megacustom/page__hl__ibanez%20megacustom At the time, I used an ABM bridge with suitably adjustable spacing. Also used a Schaller 3D for a while. Done similar things with a Schaller 2000 series, which is excellent. Got it at 16.5mm spacing, which is actually rather comfortable. Obviously I had to use something else once it went headless.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1482416185' post='3200368'] There's a guy on eBay, a real guitar 'improver' who can turn a silk purse into a sows ear... [/quote] If it's the guy I'm thinking of, he's always 'improved' it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I know a fella over in the States who's did 5 string Peavey T40s. Used monorail saddles, ground to fit the T40 bridge [attachment=234507:T-40 FIVE-Sunburst 2-3_zpsjetpoyuo.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I converted 3 four string Stingrays into 3 five string versions buy selling/trading them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visog Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 > [color=#323232][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Has anyone here converted a 4 string to a 5 string?[/font][/color] [font="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"][color="#323232"]God no. You can get perfectly serviceable 5s for the price of a 4 to 5 conversion bridge.[/color][/font] [color=#323232][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Just buy a 5... unless you actually mean, 'I want to have a go at converting a 4 to 5'... in which case knock yourself out...[/font][/color] [color=#323232][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]but don't expect anyone to buy the results unless to turn it back to a 4...[/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted December 22, 2016 Share Posted December 22, 2016 No - but I do know someone who converted a 5 to 4 which works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 I did a 5 string jazz, but by taking out the pocket and using a 5 string neck and using bar-magnet pickups. It were awreet - till I got bored and used the bits for something else! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SICbass Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 I used to have an early 90s Yamaha BB5000A. Being as yammy necks were quite wide, the early fivers were in fact 4-string necks strung a little narrower. I gigged the bass for a year or so, but ultimately the narrower spacing got on my nerves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telebass Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 For me, then, if I don't convert, I need a 5er with a nut width not exceeding 1.75". Any such thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
visog Posted December 23, 2016 Share Posted December 23, 2016 [quote name='Telebass' timestamp='1482483485' post='3200876'] For me, then, if I don't convert, I need a 5er with a nut width not exceeding 1.75". Any such thing? [/quote] Wow - that's narrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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