• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

ISO: WILKINSON 4+1 BRIDGE, OR SOME SUITABLE KNOCKOFF

fretlessman71

fretlessman71

Still beats havin' a job
Supporting Member
Aug 8, 2005
4,388
2,330
FoCo, NoCo
www.michaelolsononline.com
#1
I would love to find an easy 4-string to 5-string conversion kit like the discontinued Wilkinson 4+1. Thought it'd be fun to convert a short scale 4 to a 5. Is there a product out there that exists to do this anymore? (Yes, I could buy a Mikro, and I just might, but I like dinking around with stuff; I converted an MIM Jazz V into a 6 string several years back and it turned out terrific...)
 
#2
The easiest thing I have found is the individual bridge pieces. Inexpensive and readily available. They are about .610" wide so they can be mounted tight which is necessary for 4 string necks. Some necks may be too narrow for even a thin string margin on the neck but there is plenty of meat on the sides to narrow them a taste. The string height adjustment is very limited on these so you may need a base plate. I filed 1/16" off the bottom of the aluminum B and G saddles and screws to get a good radius that matched the neck without having the middle saddles so high they were unstable. I also filed about 1/32" off the inside of the B and G saddles to help with the margin.

T-40 Five Bridge-2.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Axstar
#3
Unfortunately that doesn't address the issue of a tuner.

With the Wilkinson conversion bridge, one of the strings is anchored at the headstock by a piece of hardware that replaces the string tree. The Wilkinson bridge incorporates a tuner on one of the saddles. It is similar, but not the same, as a Steinberger headless tuner.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this rather obscure piece of hardware, here is link to one that sold on Reverb.

As far as finding one, Reverb and eBay.

Good luck!
 
#4
The Fender Mustang and the Starcaster have ample room on the headstock to make a 4+1 arrangement. So do the G&Ls. Using the Gotoh CBT 01 tuners wouldn't even add any weight to the headstock; you'll choke on the price tag though.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mech
#5
Prototype bridge for converting a '70 P Bass to five string with no additional holes using the junk we had laying around. G string ball end was secured to the last tuner post with a washer under the D string wrap and S hook. Trust me, the individual bridges and adding a tuner at the peghead is easier and neater....unless you find a Wilkinson system.

Panorama 2.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: ELynx and sissy kathy
#6
mech said:
Prototype bridge for converting a '70 P Bass to five string with no additional holes using the junk we had laying around. G string ball end was secured to the last tuner post with a washer under the D string wrap and S hook. Trust me, the individual bridges and adding a tuner at the peghead is easier and neater....unless you find a Wilkinson system.

View attachment 3111059
Click to expand...
Very creative, Lots of room for improvement though, did you stick with it and refine it any?
 
#7
sissy kathy said:
Very creative, Lots of room for improvement though, did you stick with it and refine it any?
Click to expand...

Nope. The guy has been playing it for two years as is. Too much work to make a bridge by hand. Big thing is the narrow saddles and drilling the screw holes in them 90 deg to each other and don't want to pay a machine shop. This mod is fully reversible. FWIW, we hadn't heard of the Wilkinson system.
 
#8
mech said:
The easiest thing I have found is the individual bridge pieces. Inexpensive and readily available. They are about .610" wide so they can be mounted tight which is necessary for 4 string necks. Some necks may be too narrow for even a thin string margin on the neck but there is plenty of meat on the sides to narrow them a taste. The string height adjustment is very limited on these so you may need a base plate. I filed 1/16" off the bottom of the aluminum B and G saddles and screws to get a good radius that matched the neck without having the middle saddles so high they were unstable. I also filed about 1/32" off the inside of the B and G saddles to help with the margin.

View attachment 3110133
Click to expand...
So what did you do for a 5th tuning peg?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back