Converting Fender style headstock to 2+2 style....can it be done?...any experience?

[Mikeus]

there are many fine necks available to buy but i can not find any decent with 2+2 config. can a fender style 4 line be converted to 2+2 style?

thanks

Mike

[slyjoe]

Warmoth has various headstock designs.

[envika]

What would be the reason? I actually prefer 4-in-line, STRONGLY, to 2x2. I know with 2x2 you can get rid of some headstock mass, but it's not worth the risk of failing to convert...

[UncleBalsamic]

Go Warmoth for a direct repalcement neck. It'd be too messy and too much of a hassle to convert it.

[Mikeus]

the reason? ive fallen in love with a black sadowsky metro 5but i really dislike the headstock shape. its at a good price so im willing to have it altered if i can.

[daveman50]

If you are looking at a Sadowsky 5-string bass (4+1 headstock), then -- do you want to know if you can convert a 4+1 into a 3+2? Is that the question?

If so - what is it that you don't like about the h/s shape?

[Mikeus]

never been a fan of them, love the tone though. have always wanted to see a J style bass with a symetrical 2+2 or 3+2 (that isnt shaped like fender)

[daveman50]

weeellll.... if you spend enough time trolling through 2d hand music shops and ebay listings, you'll see a nice variety of butchered and hacked-up headstocks. So tread carefully. This is not a DIY job unless you are quite experienced with woodworking and finishing (which I guess you are not, based on your post).

Anyway, the answer is -- yes, an experienced luthier or guitar repairman can do what you want, given a design that is mechanically sound, plus time and money.



But it will probably be ugly

Good luck & let us see what you come up with.

[daveman50]

PS: I expect you are looking for something sorta like this?

http://www.cloverbasses.com/index.php?id=9&bass=37

[Mikeus]

Originally Posted by daveman50

PS: I expect you are looking for something sorta like this?

http://www.cloverbasses.com/index.php?id=9&bass=37

nice! yeah sorta like that. but im a no frills man, just plain all black will do dont like the pups on that thing...

this is the used sadowsky im after...

[ehque]

Send it back to sadowsky to get it modded?

[#include <MK>]

Originally Posted by Mikeus

can a fender style 4 line be converted to 2+2 style?

Ofcourse it can, 2 x 2 and 3 x 2. Personally, I wouldn't touch a Sadowsky but that's me. I was going to go 3 x 2 on the first bass I made from scratch (needed to change the headstock to avoid issues) after I already made it 4 x 1. I didn't want to put in the additional work to modify the headstock at the time, so the change came later in a refined design.

[ehque]

But really, i wouldn't touch a Sad with a router.

[pilotjones]

Originally Posted by Mikeus

the reason? ive fallen in love with a black sadowsky metro 5but i really dislike the headstock shape. its at a good price so im willing to have it altered if i can.

You could round off the Sadowsky point to make it more Fender-like without too much trouble, I think.

[daveman50]

Originally Posted by pilotjones

You could round off the Sadowsky point to make it more Fender-like without too much trouble, I think.

Don't think you can do that -- the tuners will be too crowded. It would have to be redesigned - sides and end trimmed; maybe glue on wings; dowel the holes; probably glue on a face veneer; redrill; etc.

[CamMcIntyre]

I realize you're free to do whatever you want, but is not liking the headstock worth the possibility of ruining a great bass? I'd learn to tolerate it and save your time and money.

[pilotjones]

Originally Posted by daveman50

Don't think you can do that --

I wasn't addressing the 3+2 aspect, just the "don't like the Sad design" aspect. Without moving any tuners, you could round off the point to get a headstock somewhere between a P/J HS and a Tele HS. And you'd have only a small area of new bare wood to patch varnish on.

[eleonn]

I wouldnt touch the original neck. Buy a new one or talk to somebody to make you one (its not gonna be cheap and he/she will need the body). In case the new neck don't look fine (I guess it wont) you can put back the original neck.

[Mikeus]

thanks for the replies does moses make necks that would fit a sado?

you guys would cringe if you know what im going to do the sonus special ive got my eyes on lol!...

[ehque]

You want to buy a sadowsky to put a moses neck on? Might as well go with a Zon...