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Bridge for 4 to 5 string conversion

ninnlangel

ninnlangel

Dec 14, 2005
443
5
France, Switzerland
www.ninnlangel.com
#1
Hi all,

I want to "make" (Warmoth - I should just say assemble) myself a 5 string picolo bass tuned BEADG up an octave. I will use their short scale 30" neck and body, asking them to not drill holes in the headstock so I can rearrange them for 5 tuners. I realize the spacing will be pretty tight, but I'm fine with that... My only issue is to find a suitable bridge. I've heard of "5 string conversion bridges" for 4 string fender style basses, but I can't find any information. Can anyone help with a source, brand, website anything to help me locate it?

Many thanks,

NL
 
#2
Huh? There are lots of narrow 5-string bridges out there that cover pretty much the same spread as a "normal" (Fender-spaced) 4-string. I've done this several times.

Want quality? Schaller 2000.

Want quality a little cheaper? Schaller 496.

I could go on....
 
#4
If you want the outer string spacing to stay the same, you'll need a bridge with 14.25mm (0.561", ~9/16") spacing between strings.

If I was doing it, I'd just go with 5x single string bridges.

Invalid Link Removed
 
#7
ninnlangel said:
Thanks for the suggestions!

I've decided to go with single-string bridges... Now I'm wondering about the tuners :

Should just use guitar tuners instead of bass tuners (it would be easier to cram 5 of them on that small headstock)
Click to expand...

That depends largely on the gauge of string you want to be using. What you're making is like a long-scale, 5-string baritone guitar. 5 baritone strings would be something like 18-72 gauge, in which case you'd have to make sure that any tuners you bought could fit a 72 gauge string.
 

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