An Idiotic Short-Scale Question...

[XsoGol]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I have an exceedingly dumb question for you...is it possible (and/or a good idea) to take a cheap short-scale (say an SX 30" short-scale jazz) and:

• tear the nut out
• take the tuners off and fill the tuner holes
• work a new nut for 6 strings rather than 4
• change the bridge out for 6 strings (of the Bass VI variety)
• re-drill the headstock for 6 Bass VI-type tuners
• repaint the headstock so it doesn't look terrible
• wind some pickups that fit the routes, designed for 6 strings and install them into the original routes

Basically I'd like to make a 30" scale bass (possibly a fretless) into a cheapo Fender Bass VI (minus the trem)...what do you think? Thanks!

 

[SDB Guitars]

Um... it might be less work to just make a new neck and body for your build than to fill all those holes in the body and neck...

 

[XsoGol]

Um... it might be less work to just make a new neck and body for your build than to fill all those holes in the body and neck...

My woodworking skills are pretty non-existent at the moment....I'm somewhat intimidated by the time and learning curve to craft my own neck specifically (the body I'm pretty sure I could do).

 

[jonpopu]

Correct me if I'm worng but.... You wouldn't necessarily have to custom wind a six string Jazz shaped pickup, but really just use a pickup with a bar magnet.

 

[SDB Guitars]

Indeed, you could use a pickup with a bar magnet... You could probably also use a guitar pickup (GASP!) as they will have 6 poles, and may very well line up with your strings. I'd measure it all out, to be sure.

 

[XsoGol]

Indeed, you could use a pickup with a bar magnet... You could probably also use a guitar pickup (GASP!) as they will have 6 poles, and may very well line up with your strings. I'd measure it all out, to be sure.

I toyed with the idea of just using some decent Strat pickups but I like the idea of winding my own and making them a little fatter...I don't know...I'm just kicking ideas around in my head.

Correct me if I'm worng but.... You wouldn't necessarily have to custom wind a six string Jazz shaped pickup, but really just use a pickup with a bar magnet.

Some rail pickups or bar magnet pickups are definitely a good idea too...

 

[crazyguy832]

I would first try all this on a cheap garage-sale bass (you know, one of those no-name knock-offs you can find for $5-$20). If it works on that, then definetely try it on a better model.

I'm not going to say not to do it... in fact, I'm saying go for it. If it's something you want to do, why not just do it?

(I also agree with the bar magnet, btw)