Fender American Deluxe 5 conversion thoughts?

[WillKrauseBass]

I need input from the community-
I've always wanted a FCS Reggie Hamilton 5 string Jazz bass- a couple come up a year, but they are just hard to get a hold of.
A guy down the road from me has an American Deluxe Jazz Bass V from 2016 for sale for $1250, possibly less.
It plays really great, the bones are good. The previous owner definitely let it go a bit. It's very marked up, the pickups (and bass in general) are rusty and need extensive cleaning. Awesome birdseye on the neck.
It is 10.5 lbs (oof) but felt extremely well balanced.
I could clean it all up, have the 5 string precision pick-up routed, get a custom guard, and would probably replace the pick-ups and pre with some nice stuff, and keep the total cost between $2000-3000 depending how fancy I want to be.
I know this would devalue the instrument- It's pretty damn devalued already
I know other companies make really fine 5 string pj's- I'm a Fender boy.
This project does sound fun to me and this bass needs rescuing.
1. Should I go for it- Is this a good idea?
2. Should I just clean up this bass as is and flip it?
3. Should I just wait for a Reggie Hamilton to pop up?

 

[Clark W]

I need input from the community-
I've always wanted a FCS Reggie Hamilton 5 string Jazz bass- a couple come up a year, but they are just hard to get a hold of.
A guy down the road from me has an American Deluxe Jazz Bass V from 2016 for sale for $1250, possibly less.
It plays really great, the bones are good. The previous owner definitely let it go a bit. It's very marked up, the pickups (and bass in general) are rusty and need extensive cleaning. Awesome birdseye on the neck.
It is 10.5 lbs (oof) but felt extremely well balanced.
I could clean it all up, have the 5 string precision pick-up routed, get a custom guard, and would probably replace the pick-ups and pre with some nice stuff, and keep the total cost between $2000-3000 depending how fancy I want to be.
I know this would devalue the instrument- It's pretty damn devalued already
I know other companies make really fine 5 string pj's- I'm a Fender boy.
This project does sound fun to me and this bass needs rescuing.
1. Should I go for it- Is this a good idea?
2. Should I just clean up this bass as is and flip it?
3. Should I just wait for a Reggie Hamilton to pop up?

If you're willing to go through all that and spend that kind of dough, just go to Warmoth and build what you want.

 

[WillKrauseBass]

If you're willing to go through all that and spend that kind of dough, just go to Warmoth and build what you want.

Not an available routing option and not cheaper actually!

 

[Big Louzer]

Not an available routing option and not cheaper actually!

You can call them and they can accommodate specific non-standard routings for an up charge, usually about $45 per option (like the 60’s vs. 70’s pickup position.

As far as cost, I built this for about $1500 total. The Warmoth neck and body were about $1100 if I remember correctly, with the roasted flame maple neck. Could have been cheaper if I chose a non-flame neck and an Alder body…

It can be done…

I’m thinking of doing a regular ol’ passive Jazz 5 for about $1300 total…

 

[BrotherRay]

Forgive the derail, but I'm thinking of doing what you have, but going Gecko for a little wider bridge and neck
That is the standard Jazz body? Standard Jazz bass bridge and neck spacing?
What is the string spacing at the bridge?

 

[Big Louzer]

Forgive the derail, but I'm thinking of doing what you have, but going Gecko for a little wider bridge and neck
That is the standard Jazz body? Standard Jazz bass bridge and neck spacing?
What is the string spacing at the bridge?

That’s their Deluxe Jazz 5 neck and body. Standard Fender 5 string spacing, 18.3mm or something like that.

I did once want to go with a Gecko style, but soon realized I don’t like 35” scale.

 

[bassstrangler]

I build or mod nearly everything I own. That’s just too much to pay for a Fender in that condition.
I’d go Warmoth or The Stratosphere. Or find something in much better condition for less money.

 

[WillKrauseBass]

Good feedback guys, I'm definitely looking into option 4 as well (Warmoth)

 

[J Wilson]

WKB: You're looking at $1250 for a bass you're going to spend a lot more $$$ to get it close to the one you really want.

My two cents:

Keep your $1250 under the bed, take part of the mod budget. and wait out finding what you really want. You'll get exactly what you wanted to begin with, and save yourself throwing a lot of money down a hole for a bass that isn't quite what you wanted.

It will involve waiting it out to find the right one, which costs you nothing, and likely cost less than throwing more money on the $1250 bass.

 

[Cerio]

You would be spending a ton of money on a bass that isn't what you want, only to spend even more money converting it into a bass that still won't be what you want.

Not a smart move.

 

[WillKrauseBass]

You would be spending a ton of money on a bass that isn't what you want, only to spend even more money converting it into a bass that still won't be what you want.

Not a smart move.

You’re right.