5 String

[honestjohnny]

Currently, I have a set of standard scale Fender Tapewounds .110 to .058 on my SX Short Jazz. Strung through the body, the only string that I had to cut most of the unwound tip from was the low E. The strings are fine but I think I'm going to go back to non-tapewound rounds. Anyway, I was thinking of going with a heavier gauge overall like say a medium gauge 5 string standard scale set (.128 to .44) and just tossing the high string. This would give an E @ .128, A @ .110, D @ .085, G @ .061. I realize that adjustments will have to be made to intonation, the nut, trussrod, etc.

Do I need to worry about damaging the bass by increasing the gauge like this? I will probably take it into a local tech that I like and have him do the initial string change and setup.

[fretlessguy]

Being a short scale, with thinner neck and construction, I would be leary of that setup. It might work initially, but it might cause some really strange things to that neck. I would probably get a long scale Jazz if I were going BEAD.
I own a short scale fretless version of that bass.