5 String conversion

[Aussiericlover]

Hi all,

How suitable is a Laredo for converting to a 5 string? I am contemplating buying a Laredo ex USA and getting it converted to 5 string before having it shipped to Australia. What sort of money am I looking at to get the conversion done? Otherwise is there any forum member willing to part with a 5 string? I'm looking for a Laredo around US$1400-$1500. I'm thinking that would be in the ballpark of what they go for? Would that be right?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[jwr2]

go to this link ... http://www.3dentourage.com/425/93-4004L-5.htm

There are a few of us who have converted the 4004 to hold more strings ...

first I suggest you get a bridge like this ... http://cgi.ebay.com/MINT-FRETLESS-BASS- ... dZViewItem

Then you need to get a Schaller m4 tuner. Then you need to get a blank or recut nut ... I like the carvin 5 string nut. But you will need to shim the Carvin nut.

I have 6 Ric 5 string basses and I want to keep them all.

I am also thinking of getting a trans red 4004 and converting it to a 5 string bass form myself.

I can convert a 4004 bass for you or I can help with advice.

[Aussiericlover]

Thanks for the advice. I will PM you to discuss further.

[atomic_punk]

If you want to get this done, Jeff is the man. He's done a lot of them and I've played most of them...nice work!!
The favorite of them (for me) is the black 4004. It worked particularly well.

[jwr2]

I also encourage people to learn how to make this a DIY project ... it is satisifying to do projects like this for themselves ...

[Aussiericlover]

I'm much more comfortable leaving a job like this with Jeff.

I would be prepared to try it on a $200 bass but not a Ric at this stage!

As far as Rics go I play 'em, not mess with 'em!

I'm assuming Jeff is a Broncos fan and that works for me! If not that's cool too.

Visiting the 'mile high stadium' is on my to do before I die list.

[incubus2432]

I think this would make an excellent 4004 5 string conversion.....

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=378155&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

(price dropped BTW since our last PM's)

[markbass99]

I've done three 4004 five string conversions and the Laredo is the perfect model to modify. It has a wide yet shallow neck, the rail type humbuckers are very forgiving as far as string placement is concerned. All you have to do is figure out where to put the fifth tuner and what kind of bridge/spacing you want. The Carvin six string nut is a no brainer, you can cut the C string slot off, reshape the end, it has perfect five string spacing. If you're really good you can cut the existing four string nut off in place with a coping saw and leave a 3mm piece behind that makes a perfect shim.

Jeff pioneered this conversion and I learned a lot from seeing his work and reading the forum. Jeff is also willing to do this kind of work to other people's basses, I'm afraid I don't have the guts to drill into a bass that somebody else owns, especially basses of this caliber and price range. That being said, I think my conversions are a little controversial since I step out into no-mans land and put my fifth tuner hole in the wave part of that nice long headstock that RIC gives us on the 4004. Since I use Hipshot tuners that are reversed across the top the keys end up very close to the factory position. It works very well but looks odd to some people. The perfect solution would be to fill and redrill the top of the solid color Laredo since they can be refinished, depends on how much you want to spend.

As far as bridges are concerned, I use Schaller 496 roller bridges adjusted in to 2 1/2" which gives 16mm spacing between the strings, most factory five strings are 17.5-19mm. I recommend using a high quality B string like a LaBella Hard Rocking Steel in at least .128", it's the only one I've found that doesn't sound like mush. It's nice having a five string that only weighs 8lbs.

[Aussiericlover]

I think this would make an excellent 4004 5 string conversion.....

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=378155&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

(price dropped BTW since our last PM's)

Brian, It would look sesnsational as a 5 string! I just need to get a feel for the overall cost of converting and then decide whether its financially viable or wait for a 5 to become available.

There is also the logistical cost of shipping it around to get the job done as well.

Will be in touch if I decide to go ahead.

[incubus2432]

Just for reference I sold a 4004Cii/5 for $2k a year or so ago. I'd think finding one available would be the hard part. Another issue is that the p/u's really don't provide proper string coverage so that is something that needs to be dealt with as well. (IMO)

When I got the Cii/5 it was a trade deal where I bought a new Laredo and sent it to Jeff Rath. Jeff then modded it into a 5 string and sent it to it's new owner. This would probably be an option again (can't speak for Jeff, of course).

No pressure, just offering an option.

[VRICKY63]

I had some wrist problems and decided to convert my 4004 Cii to a 5 to minimize the reach to the E string . Sent it to Jeff Rath even though I always do my own work on my basses . I think experience counts in this conversion . I think you will see my 4004Cii fireglo on Jeffs website . I love that bass and sold my other 5s ( Dingwall , Zon , Spector ). She's the only 5 I need and Jeff did a great job .

[jps]

What Zon did you sell? I might have been interested.

[jwr2]

Just for reference I sold a 4004Cii/5 for $2k a year or so ago. I'd think finding one available would be the hard part. Another issue is that the p/u's really don't provide proper string coverage so that is something that needs to be dealt with as well. (IMO)

When I got the Cii/5 it was a trade deal where I bought a new Laredo and sent it to Jeff Rath. Jeff then modded it into a 5 string and sent it to it's new owner. This would probably be an option again (can't speak for Jeff, of course).

No pressure, just offering an option.

Yes I have done this for a few people ...

[VRICKY63]

Zon Sonus fretless 5

[jps]

I have a fretless 5/1 that was specially built for me by Joe. A friend of mine has a fretted one that was also specially made for me, so I would be interested in another fretted Zon.