Converting a 4 string to 5 string bass bridge question

[robert43]

Hi due to lack of work I am thinking of converting a SX jazz bass 4 string to 5 string. What I was wondering when you do such a conversion do you used a standard 5 string bass bridge or do you have to get a special close spacing bridge ? if there is such a beast. For the nut I presume you just get a blank nut & cut your own string spacing due to the neck being a narrower neck at the nut compared to 5 string bass neck. Thanks

 

[Beej]

If it starts with a bridge with 19mm spacing, then 3x19mm = 57mm spacing overall. 57mm / 4 = 14.25mm spacing for 5 strings. In practice, I've done it with a 15mm bridge with no problems. @Ric5 has probably done more of these than anyone alive, I'm sure he'll have opinions.

 

[Ric5]

4 String to 5 String bass conversions

For my Fender style basses that I convert in 5 string basses.

I like to start with a p-bass 4 string neck. I replace the nut with a blank that I put 5 slots in. I add a 5th tuner and a string tree.

I like to use Schaller 5 string bridges. Also 8 pole 4 string pickups work just fine for 5 string basses as long as you don't make the strings wider than the pickups.

 

[robert43]

Thanks for that you have some great basses there

 

[Ric5]

5 string Frankensteined SG Bass

This is a 5 string SG bass in progress. This is an Epiphone EB0 body and a maple neck with a paddle shaped headstock. I also got a OLP/MM style 5 string bridge I like the black and maple look.

Here are some progress pictures.

Here I have cut the headstock and attached the neck. I may use plastic knobs or metal knobs.

Here I have put in Gotoh style knobs and tuned up the bass and intonated it. I still have to finish the neck and put in pickups and electronics and straploks.

Here is the bass with a Rickenbacker pickup and a volume and tone control.

Sound byte here EB0-1

Here is the bass with bridge pickup and it wired like a passive Rickenbacker 4003.

Sound byte with 2 pickups EB0-2

Here is is finally finished. I added a straplok extension and a tub bar. I also put a finish on the neck. This is one of my favorite players right now.

 

[robert43]

Very nice will go & look up prices etc I am thinking of spraying the body as well as its Sunburst ( which same as my pbass) so I might go black or red ,I like the black & tan look

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]

So there are about a dozen different bridge designs that will work for a 4-2-5 bass conversion … get a bridge that is between 2 5/8" and 2 3/8" … there are a lot on ebay that are cheap that are 2 1/2"

 

[Ric5]

my favorite is the Schaller … these are not cheap

 

[Ric5]

you can buy these stingray style bridges all day long on the internet for under $20 … they look good and they sound good

 

[Ric5]

and the most unusual 5 string bass bridge

Kahler