What does it take to convert a P bass to a J

Routing body for pickup.

@Turnaround would know.

 

Some drilling, some routing, some soldering. Possibly some finish touch up depending on how well the routing and drilling went. There are surface mount pickups but I have not seen any Jazz style pickups that are meant to be surface mount.

 

Yes it’s possible but why would you? Seems like a long way to go.

 

The same thing that is done to change a P-bass to a PJ-bass, plus re-routing the P-position to accommodate a J-neck pickup.

Why don't you just turn it into a PJ, as that is more conventional, gets the broad tonal spectrum of a J (the whole reason studio musicians in Los Angeles had J-bridge pickups added starting a couple of generations ago), then get a more growly P-pickup, like a DiMarzio Model P

 

thinking this over...i don't recall ever having seen a 'face-mounted' pickup for bass guitar. i do recall lace sensor marketing a dobro surface-mounted pickup as applicable to acoustic bass guitars. Dobro Neck Sensor - Round Neck - 3/8

where would one find a surface-mount bass guitar pickup?

edit: well, raise my rent: Lace Ultra Slim Acoustic Bass