Hoppo75 Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 (edited) Hiya folks. Now this is probably going to be a ridiculous question but hey, what the hell!!! I've got a lovely 4 string Jazz bodied custom built thingy, which I dearly love. However, I have ridiculous 5 string GAS at the moment, and if I'm honest, have had for the last 20 years. My Jazz copy is a 4 string but I was wondering if I can use the same body to create a 5. Obviously I know there'd be a bit of chopping for pickups, neck etc, but is a 5 string jazz body majorly different in size to a 4 string one and if not, has anyone done the same thing? Please feel free to put me in my place Edited October 4, 2010 by Hoppo75 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOD2 Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 The neck pocket is going to be the problem. A 5-string neck is wider all the way down and quite significantly wider at the body join which would mean it won't fit the neck pocket of a 4-string body. Then the 4-string pickup isn't wide enough to cover the 5-strings either.... plus you'd need a new bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 You'll have to alter the neck pocket to accommodate a comfortable neck but as far as pups go you can keep the original routs if you so wish. My 5 string has 9 pole Bill Lawrence pups in there which are the same dimensions as 4 string pups. BL pups are quite rare but you could use rails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 I'd would have thought that the neck pocket would be the biggest issue, everything else would just be a little more routing and hole drilling. I'm sure the experts will be along shortly and hopefully they'll give it the thumbs up as I'd like to see a conversion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 Neck pocket it is then. [quote name='BOD2' post='977658' date='Oct 4 2010, 09:02 PM']....[b]Then the 4-string pickup isn't wide enough to cover the 5-strings either[/b]....[/quote] This is a misconception although to get even coverage of the strings you need to either have pups with more pole pieces or use a rails. You can get a Bart set (which I have in my parts box) that cover 5 strings in a 4 size, Hohner "The Jack" pups are the same - I imagine there will be others too. 5 string jazz pups are such a rip - just look at how much of them isn't used... Here's my (much neater) Bill Lawrence pups - the neck is a standard Allparts 5 string P width neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoppo75 Posted October 4, 2010 Author Share Posted October 4, 2010 The creative juices are flowing now folks!!!! My Luthier pal will be getting a call in the morning so I'll let you know what is decided. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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