4 string converted into 5 string

[tom once dead]

I'm sick of the 19mm spacing on my dean, and I would like a 5 string becuase they are so much more fun to play.

So I've done some research and found out that the Ibanez SR 505 has the same neck dimentions as my dean.

I have some questions:
How much would it cost to get a new, nut, bridge and they tuner (I know pups will cost $200 each)?
Could you fit a fifth tuner on the dean V shaped headstock?
How big would the job be (how much would I expect to pay to have it done by somone)?
Is it possible?
Is it worth it?


Thanks in advance

[tom once dead]

anyone?

[lamonica78]

I'm guessing that it's probably not worth the cost. Like you said, the pups are $200 alone, so I'm guessing when all is said and done you're probably looking at a minimum of $400-$500. Musiciansfriend.com has a few Dean 5ers for under $700....might want to just consider getting a new bass and avoid the hassle of converting a 4 to a 5er

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navig...+306314+201804

[tom once dead]

Well I will be replacing at least one of the pups soon, But the Prices over here are basicaly double and a bit what you have to pay in the US.

I probably should have mentioned that its an ML

[Ric5]

I have a whole web site that discusses conversions to a 5 string bass.

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/

[tom once dead]

thanks, website is good, but it only tells on how to convert a ric.

[Jarno]

Try to find a wilkinson 4+1 kit on eBay, I found mine really cheap (15euros or so). It's a bridge, with one special saddle with a "headless" tuner, and a mounting post which goes on the headstock. Works like a charm.

Regards,

Jarno.

[CincyBassMan]

Originally Posted by tom once dead

thanks, website is good, but it only tells on how to convert a ric.

Actually, if you scroll down the page to the very last picture, there are fenders and I purchased the middle black pbass from Jeff off ebay about a year or so ago. Jeff is a very talented builder/converter! I love the tone of this bass and I get constant compliments on it's tone!

Russ

[tom once dead]

Originally Posted by Jarno

Try to find a wilkinson 4+1 kit on eBay, I found mine really cheap (15euros or so). It's a bridge, with one special saddle with a "headless" tuner, and a mounting post which goes on the headstock. Works like a charm.

Regards,

Jarno.

Yeah, I will check it out, but i need the same size bridge as on the Ibanez. because the neck on my dean is the same size.

[Jarno]

If you are referring to the string spacing you need, the wilkinsons have individual saddles which slide left to right over a sort of rail which is the base of the bridge.

Regards,

Jarno.

[tom once dead]

So Ive got the bridge sorted, But what about putting a 5th tuner on my headstock

[MurvintheWalrus]

bore a hole into it and fix it on, but maybe make the new one at the tip and have it be the A tuner, so the e will be a low B and so on.

[Jarno]

Or remove all tuners, plug holes and install smaller ones with tighter spacing. Not sure what kind of tuners are on your bass, but if they are of the big open kind i think your only option is to mount it on the opposite side (like fender does on some of their fives (i think)

I still think the 4+1 thing is the way to go, requiring only very minimal "surgery".

Regards,

Jarno.

[tom once dead]

well its obvious noone read the V shaped heastock discription in the first post.

the URL below is a picture of the bass, just so everyone know what they are talking about
http://www.music123.com/item/expande.../497253jpg.jpg

[Jarno]

All the more reason to go the Wilkinson way. when used for the Fender type instruments, the headless tuner is for the fourth string (D in standard 5 string tuning). However, the base of the bridge is a rail, so you can reconfigure it. Just put the headless tuner in the middle, and put the fixing post in the middle on your headstock, easy.

I think drilling extra holes is not really easy, despite the gargantuan headstock. I think plugging at least one hole and then drilling the holes on a different pitch is your only option.

Best regards,

Jarno.

[WarriorJoe7]

I agree with jarno about the bridge. Just put the "mounting post" in the middle of the headstock and put the bridge end tuner in the middle.

Or if you want to have 5 tuners on the headstock, get 5 gotohs or some other kind of tuner with a small footprint on the back of the headstock. You could potentially keep the 4 holes you have and put the other tuner in the middle with the tuning arm sticking out of the middle of the V. This would be for the middle string. You just need the correct nut and the correct string spaced bridge. Jarno's way is easier.

[WarriorJoe7]

Hey jarno I can't find the conversion kit for 4 to 5.

Also is there a conversion kit for 4 to 8? I know I've seen basses that have 4 guitar tuners mounted on a cutout into the back of the tail of the bass, but you still need an 8 saddle bridge for good intonation. Also need 4 mounting posts for the headstock (or thought about drilling 4 small holes in the headstock at an angle, installing ferrules usually seen on bodies, and running the strings through.)

I usually play jazz necks but i want to convert a precision neck to 8 string.

[knarleybass]

Originally Posted by Jarno

Or remove all tuners, plug holes and install smaller ones with tighter spacing. Not sure what kind of tuners are on your bass, but if they are of the big open kind i think your only option is to mount it on the opposite side (like fender does on some of their fives (i think)

I still think the 4+1 thing is the way to go, requiring only very minimal "surgery".

Regards,

Jarno.

That is a great way to go, I just saw that there is one on ebay. I think Wilkinson made those in the 90's.

[loneguitarist]

I got a Wilkinson 4+1 kit for £0.99 ($2) on ebay and converted a spare p-bass I had into a fretless 5.

[WarriorJoe7]

where is that kit on ebay. I need a link.