turning a guitar into a bass???

gibsonbass76 · #1 12-16-2007, 07:43 PM

Okay, do you think this is worth trying? I have a fernandes vertigo that ive always wanted to have as a bass, so i thought about getting a neck from warmoth, moving the bridge and so on... Do you think it would be worth it? Anyone else here do it before?

heath_r_91 · #2 12-16-2007, 07:46 PM

My old bass teacher took a squire guitar and turned it into a six string bass.

Spacing was really tight be he just played it with a pick anyways.

It actually sounded pretty kickin' to be honest.

He kept stock pickups and everything, he just grinded down the nut and bridge until he could fit the strings.

uethanian · #3 12-16-2007, 07:46 PM

i just wanted to recommend that if u can string the guitar with BEAD strings and it will be just the right length to tune up to EADG. but then again, the string spacing will be tiny and i dont know if the neck could take it. just a thought.

EADG mx · #4 12-16-2007, 08:19 PM

I wouldn't do it

Tapper · #5 12-16-2007, 09:16 PM

...just another one of those memories that makes me cringe...back about 1962 or so, I pick up a Gibson Les Paul Gold Top with a gold Bigsby all worn down pretty good, but not smashed, for $50.00 in Nashville, where I was playing. I made it into a bass, but never got it to where it played worth a flip, so I sold it to some guitar player for $50.00 and moved on...that Les Paul was perhaps one of the originals...Oh, well...I also bought a Fender Broadcaster, 1948 marked on neck, for $50.00, neck worn down bad, all hardware plating worn of...had been played a lot...I'd sure like to have that guy, just in the condition I bought it...bought both at Hewgley's Music Shop in Nashville, down at 7th & Commerce. they are gone now, and i don't know what ever became of my friend Jim Broadus...

gibsonbass76 · #6 12-17-2007, 09:08 AM

The more i think about doing it the more work it sounds like, plus i dont want to ruin an alright guitar to make a crappy bass!

Pilgrim · #7 12-17-2007, 09:09 AM

It can certainly be done, but with the difference in scale lengths and the need to re-locate the bridge and change the neck, the WHY question occurs to me. I think you're right - leave it as an OK guitar.

Frankjohnson · #8 12-17-2007, 11:50 AM

I have a fender P Bass Junior, and would like to find a decent, cheap Tele body and put a top loader bridge on it, and some type of pickup setup....and add that neck - without altering it in anyway. that way i could return the Pbass back as-was.

kaputsport · #9 12-20-2007, 01:05 PM

One popular bass player did that...

PUSA!!!! (Presidents of the United States of America)

Gibson SG strung as a 2 string bass...