modifying a P-bass

[LowKee]

OK, I am new here so if this is in the wrong place I apologize.
My question is this: How practical/easy would it be to modify a P-bass by cutting a new pickup slot in the bridge position? Basically, I would be turning a regular P-bass into a Deluxe model. Would this be something someone who has a fair amount of woodworking experience but little amount of luthier experience could do?

[dmusic148]

If you can work a router and a soldering iron, it's easy. You can get a routing template from Stew Mac.

[RMay]

I don't know either if this is the wrong place.

IMO, it's not easy but Melvyn Hiscock's book "Make Your Own Electric Guitar" is a good guide and a place to begin. Melvyn provides guitar/bass pickup templates in the back pages this book. Just my .02 cents.

-Richard

[LowKee]

Thanks a lot! That helps!

[vbasscustom]

just as long as the pup is a bigger one that the original to cover the old route, then yes, if you have alot of woodworking experiance with templates and pattern bits, then go for it, and yes, your in the right place

[NickInMesa]

Originally Posted by LowKee

OK, I am new here so if this is in the wrong place I apologize.
My question is this: How practical/easy would it be to modify a P-bass by cutting a new pickup slot in the bridge position? Basically, I would be turning a regular P-bass into a Deluxe model. Would this be something someone who has a fair amount of woodworking experience but little amount of luthier experience could do?

I did it when I was 15. I did the cutting and soldering job myself and it looked and sounded pretty nice. I added 2 pots (one with a .047), and 3-post selector.

But instead of a P/J combo, I opted for a P/P combo, which was odd, to say the least, and weirded out my teacher each time I showed up with my custom bass, but he loved the sound of the P's at the bridge. Oh, and on top of that, the EA pickup was closer to the bridge, in a weird inverted pattern.

I did not have money and cannibalized a broken P-bass knockoff for the pickups.

I sold it to a buddy who still plays it