Is it possible convert Fender 5 string P bass into a Jazz?

Lorenzop · #1 01-19-2013, 09:54 AM

Hello experienced luthiers / bassists out there I hope you can give me a word of advice.
I'm planning on acquiring a fender 5 string USA P bass ( the string through bridge version) and am wondering if it would make any sense to then convert it into a jazz by adding a bridge pickup.

It's passive electronics so I guess I'd have to make do with a volume control on both pu's later unless u can install a 3 rd pot.

What do you think makes sense?

In the ideal case is then also de-fret it and turn it into fretless, but I wonder if you guys think this makes any sense.
Finally I'd string it E to C and get rid of B.

Thanks

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hdracer · #2 01-19-2013, 09:59 AM

Sure, you can do it but at what cost? Can you do all the work yourself?
If you find a nice used one at a great price it shouldn't be to bad but if you start with a new one and pay someone to do the work the price is going to be very high and your resale value will be very low.

Lorenzop · #3 01-19-2013, 10:54 AM

Yeah that's the only hurdle but I'm thinking of picking up a used one.

Any predictions sound wise?
What does a fretless on a maple neck ( no fingerboard) sound like? I've never seen one. Is there a reason why they are rare?

Hopkins · #4 01-19-2013, 04:03 PM

Well by adding a bridge pickup you wouldn't really be turning it into a jazz bass. It would still be a P bass just with a Jazz pickup in the bridge. Routing a Jazz pickup isn't all that big of a job. As far as the extra knob, You can always put it where the input jack is now, and have a hole drilled in the side of the bass for a barrel jack.

I think for the price you would pay for having the current neck defreted, you could buy a fretless neck and hold on the the fretted one for later use if you decide you want to go back.

DWBass · #5 01-19-2013, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopkins

Well by adding a bridge pickup you wouldn't really be turning it into a jazz bass. It would still be a P bass just with a Jazz pickup in the bridge. Routing a Jazz pickup isn't all that big of a job. As far as the extra knob, You can always put it where the input jack is now, and have a hole drilled in the side of the bass for a barrel jack.

Or get a concentric knob. I added a Jazz pickup to my P-Bass. Pickups are EMG's and I added a BTC in place of the tone knob.

AltGrendel · #6 01-19-2013, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

Or get a concentric knob.

+1