4 string to 5 string bass conversion and set up

**timc_doc** · Mar 8, 2013, 08:28 PM

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old bridge work trying to get feet same shape as top, later used pencil marks on paper on top to show high spots on feet & scrape to shape.

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new bridge made of cypress, its too soft, but might be salvageable with oak or maple top part, probably not worth it.

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5 string tailpiece also cypress, with the addition of some oak bits it will work just fine

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pegging and redrilling scroll, also been reshaping fingerboard scraping and checking

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5 tuners installed

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working! got to play it for 4 days before it came apart. shoddy workmanship, neck joint was only about 15% connected, rest was empty space and not hide glue. top & back started separating, no hide glue used. To be fair this was not meant for 5 strings, I will repair it eventually and use hide glue, it'll be fine

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sitting waiting for me and some spruce bits
This was only the second or third instrument I'd repaired/modified. Also set up my (already) 5 string bass, but thats a different post. http://timsherri.dynalias.net/bass/index.html for more steps pics. Click on pics for bigger