Has anyone here converted a 4 string to a 5 string?

[SICbass]

[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]

Try this?
http://basschat.co.uk/topic/294818-yamaha-bb5000a-christmas-gift-l-600/page__fromsearch__1

Disclaimer: I don't know the seller, I just did a quick search and found this. Ask him about the nut width.
Good luck!

[BigRedX]

[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]

I'm always intrigued when musicians quote absolute measurements as being a strict requirement for an instrument, especially when they only for a small part of the overall picture.

So is your 1.75" the width of the neck at the nut? or the width from the centre of the B string to the centre of the G string? And is 1.75" a definite absolute, or could you get away with 1.76"? How about 1.78"?

What about the string spacing at the bridge? I ask because my Yamaha BJ5B 5-string would have probably met your requirements (or been very close) but at the bridge it had the typical very wide Yamaha string spacing of 18-19mm between string centres. Would that have been acceptable?

I've given up worrying about instrument measurements. If I'm interested I pick it up and play it. It will soon become obvious whether or not I can get on with it.

[fretmeister]

I might be making this up - but isn't Jon Myung's 6 string bongo actually put together with a 5 string neck for really narrow spacing?

I'm sure I read that somewhere at some point,

[hubrad]

Going at least for a narrower feel, I'd have a look at Ibanez SR and perhaps Musicman USA Sterling.

[Woodinblack]

There you go,
TL: [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Maruszczyk Elwood, TR: Ibanez ATK[/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]BL: Ibanez SR1605, BR: Sherwood bass thats up for sale[/font][/color]

[IMG]http://www.alienrat.co.uk/photobucket/all_zpszswpttwb.jpg[/IMG]

All <= 1.75", apart from the last one that is 1.5! The elwood was obviously specified to that as it is a custom (it was specified to be the same as the 1605 in fact).

Edited July 1, 2017 by Woodinblack

[Twincam]

[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]

Lol. Careful we ain't really allowed to mention him.

And its a shame we can't mention him as imo he is ripping people that possibly don't know better off. And his instruments have a huge potential to put new players off learning as they are not right.

Edited December 23, 2016 by Twincam

[tedmanzie]

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1482491426' post='3200975']
There you go,
TL: [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Maruszczyk Elwood, TR: Ibanez ATK[/font][/color]
[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]BL: Ibanez SR1605, BR: Sherwood bass thats up for sale[/font][/color]



All <= 1.75", apart from the last one that is 1.5! The elwood was obviously specified to that as it is a custom (it was specified to be the same as the 1605 in fact).
[/quote]

Interesting, what's the string spacing up at the bridge end on these?

It was looking for tight spacing at the bridge that got me thinking about this 4 to 5 thing in the first place (although it's more of a discussion point than a serious idea to be honest). I was looking at a Hofner Violin Bass in the window of a shop and it has extremely tight spacing and the strings were almost parallel right up the neck - I'm predominantly a pick playing guitarist turned bassist and tight spacing is much easier especially for octave jump 16ths kind of thing.

[Woodinblack]

Sherwood 15mm, 1605, Mzk 16.5mm, ATK 17mm, G&L 17.5.

The G&L is just on the limit of how wide I can go, and maybe just a bit too much (its up for sale too for that reason).

[tauzero]

I have one of the Wilkinson 4+1 bridges, currently fitted to a bass which I literally never use so could easily be tempted to part with it (the bridge and nut and anchor piece that is, might as well keep the bass).

[Telebass]

I specified 1.75" because my arthritic hands struggle with big necks these days.
Simple as that.

[Painy]

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1482487918' post='3200932']
I might be making this up - but isn't Jon Myung's 6 string bongo actually put together with a 5 string neck for really narrow spacing?

I'm sure I read that somewhere at some point,
[/quote]

It's true. I saw it on his Rig Rundown video on that yoo toob.

[Paul S]

I have a Hohner B2V which has very tight string spacing at the bridge of 16mm, nut is 43mm. I had a Peavey Foundation 5er and that was 43mm at the nut and 15mm spacing at the bridge.

[Woodinblack]

Having looked at my own measurements and epiphones, the only way I could get a reasonable 5 string thunderbird (if such thing was reasonable) would be to convert a 4 to a 5, the neck of their 5, even if I could find one is way too wide for me, but the size of the 4 is the same as one of the 5s I already have, so it would seem an option

[Owen]

I had a Hipshot 4+1 on a P bass. It was ok but for me the break angle on the D at the bridge was too shallow and it moved a bit. The pickup was fine. I eventually took it off and flogged the bass. I then took a Sue Ryder bass and put monorail bridge pieces on it to turn it into a 5 string because....... I was bored. It worked fine but I found the spacing too tight. I flogged that as well. There is probably a thread in the build forum.

[Owen]

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/230936-when-4-becomes-5/page__fromsearch__1

[blue]

This is the best method as far as I'm concerned;

Go to your favorite music shop and buy a 5 string.

Blue

[Woodinblack]

Thats the best idea if that bass exists blue. But if it doesn't there isn't that choice.

[sonnyonbass]

I was looking for a way to turn my Steinberger xl2 from a 4 string into a 5 string. 5 strings are impossible to find for a decent price. But after talking to some Steinberger experts I decided to let that idea go.

[blue]

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1483006381' post='3204007']
Thats the best idea if that bass exists blue. But if it doesn't there isn't that choice.
[/quote]

Agreed, however and I haven't read all the posts here. Wouldn't conversion means a new neck, new pick ups and electronics, new bridge?

Building one from scratch seems to make more sense.

I'm glad I'm a "dyed in the wool" 4 string guy.

Blue

Edited December 29, 2016 by blue

[threedaymonk]

I briefly owned an Aria 5-string that was effectively a factory converted 4: the neck was Precision dimensions, and the bridge spacing was 15 mm, i.e. 60 rather than 57 mm in total. The strings were uncomfortably close to the fret ends, before you ask.

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1483035159' post='3204352']


Agreed, however and I haven't read all the posts here. Wouldn't conversion means a new neck, new pick ups and electronics, new bridge?

Building one from scratch seems to make more sense.

I'm glad I'm a "dyed in the wool" 4 string guy.

Blue
[/quote]

My Stingray 5 necks probably aren't much wider if at all than some P bass necks, new nut and an extra tuner, different bridge job done. Results may vary, wildly.

[Woodinblack]

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1483035159' post='3204352']
Agreed, however and I haven't read all the posts here. Wouldn't conversion means a new neck, new pick ups and electronics, new bridge?
[/quote]

Not a new neck no, and not really any reason to change pickups or electronics. You would need a new bridge, nut and a new hole for tuner.

If you wanted a new neck then yes, there would be no point doing that and from scratch would be easier.