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Doing a major bass rebuild and want to know if you see any red flags in my plan.

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by skyskelton97, Jul 5, 2013.

  1. Jul 5, 2013 #1
    skyskelton97

    skyskelton97

    Jul 5, 2013
    Ok so I recently bought a cheap 4 string p bass with the intention of rebuilding it. My plan is to convert it to a 5 string and add LED fret markers. I also want to add 2 jazz pickups for a J-P-J setup with 1 volume 1 tone and a 5 way selector. considering I've done a lot of guitar mods it should be relatively easy to accomplish all of this but basses really aren't my thing. Any hidden problems that could pop up?
     
  2. Jul 5, 2013 #2
    famousbirds

    famousbirds

    Aug 3, 2009
    Honolulu
    4 -> 5 seems strange. Depending on how fat the nut is on that P, 5, string spacing might be VERY tight.

    P-J is a difficult match to get right, considering how common it is; with a neck J in the mix I'd expect you'll run into some difficult getting all three pickups matched. Are you thinking Strat-style wiring?
     
  3. Jul 5, 2013 #3
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    String spacing will be way too close for most bassists but you might like it, though I doubt it.
     
  4. Jul 5, 2013 #4
    Journey55

    Journey55

    Jun 10, 2011
    Orlando, Florida
    I've always wondered why people don't have the J-P-J setup...the LEDs might be difficult to put in though
     
  5. Jul 6, 2013 #5
    KeithAlanK

    KeithAlanK

    May 29, 2009
    San Antonio Texas
    I could rock 5 strings on a 4 neck, but only if I put the G right at the edge of the fretboard and jammed the D fairly close to it, since I don't use those strings much.

    My advice would be to string it B E A D.
     
  6. Jul 11, 2013 #6
    skyskelton97

    skyskelton97

    Jul 5, 2013
    I like having a tight string spacing. I've been mainly playing bass for years but since I first learned on a guitar, the tight spacing is kinda burned into my head. and for the wiring, I'm thinking something similar to a strat but not quite, I don't like having a bunch of nobs.
     
  7. Jul 11, 2013 #7
    skyskelton97

    skyskelton97

    Jul 5, 2013
    not as hard as you might think. just take off the fret board, rout a channel, drill out the markers, wire it all up and re-glue.