Pickup mod/conversion: pole pieces to rail

[PhilW]

Hello all. First post here but have been reading and learning for quite awhile. So, I'm doing a 4 to 5 string conversion on a cheap J-bass copy. It has the basic no-name J-bass bipole (8 pole pieces) pickups. Unfortunately, the A string doesn't line up with the poles and is considerably lower volume. I'm otherwise quite satisfied with the sound of the pickups and would like to use them. What would be the basic procedure for converting these pickups to rail-type, if it's even possible? Or is there some other easy fix or jury-rigging solution I'm not aware of?

Many thanks.

[line6man]

It would probably just be a better idea to buy new pickups.
You would need new magnets and bobbins, and would have to rewind the coil.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by line6man

You would need new magnets and bobbins, and would have to rewind the coil.

"sure we can fix your bass; it just needs a new neck, a new body, new hardware, and new pickups"

[line6man]

Originally Posted by walterw

"sure we can fix your bass; it just needs a new neck, a new body, new hardware, and new pickups"

While we're on topic, I don't like the fine threading on most of the screws on my bass. Do you think it would be a big deal to have a machinist cut some courser threading on all the screws?