4 String Body to a 5?

[Stu L.]

Lets just say, hypothetically, that I wanted to take an existing 4 string J body, and use it for a 5'er. Is it as easy as enlarging the neck pocket and pickup routes? Or does the body itself need to be physically larger to still resemble a J? Thoughts? The body in question:

[vbasscustom]

no, you should be fine with just rounting the neck pocket bigger, but putting in 5 string pickups in the 4 routs might be hard, not so much the pickups themselves, but mainly the half circles that the screws go through, so you might have to put a top on it, or you may have to make a whole new body, or they might even fit.

[Stu L.]

I was thinking that if I went that far that I would like to get some of the larger Nordstrand pickups, like the Fat Stacks or something. I think it would cover the routes.

[Ol'Bass'ead]

Im not sure, but I believe that most aftermarket jazz pups that are made for 5'ers fit in standard j pup holes. But I was wrong once before..........

edit-go to the Dimarzio website. They have dims on all their pups.

[vbasscustom]

the only problem would be, is that this was originally a 5 string, if this is correct? so im not sure the nubs would fit

[Stu L.]

Originally Posted by vbasscustom

the only problem would be, is that this was originally a 5 string, if this is correct? so im not sure the nubs would fit

It's a scratch build in progress. The pup cavities were routed from the Stew Mac 4 string Jazz templates. Again, I don't have the pickups yet, so I could always just use a pup with a larger casing if I need to.

[gfried84]

In order to properly center the neck the heel would stick out of the pocket on the treble side because of the wider width.

[Stu L.]

And that's the kind of insight that I'm looking for

[Stu L.]

OK, I have a minute to think now. So, you're saying that there's no way to split the difference to prevent the over-hang?

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by Stu L.

OK, I have a minute to think now. So, you're saying that there's no way to split the difference to prevent the over-hang?

I wouldn't even worry about it. It will be a small overhang, and it's only on one side.

Routing neck pockets is tricky though... you need to make a template to match the neck you are going to use.

[Stu L.]

Of course, and I wouldn't dream of enlarging that pocket without the new neck. I may just go for it. I may even have a set of pups already too

SGD, is there anyway (pre 5'er neck) to guesstimate at the difference? Just get a measurement on a 5'er neck?