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Post subject: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings . . .
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:58 pm
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I have a back-up customized Affinity Jazz that I don't really use. My band has some songs that really need the bottom 4 strings of a 5 string layout. Will it work is I buy a 5 string set and just put the bottom 4 on the back up? Logic says it will but I don't know if the physics are different on a 5 string vs 4 strings wrt having the right tension on each string. Anyone? Bueller?

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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:46 pm
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You'll have to work on the nut and you'll have to make truss adjustments probably which means you will have to set up and intonate the bass. Maybe not so much in the way of truss adjust if you are tuning to "B".

Bro Dave should be driving by anytime now so he'll give you the full skinny .


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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:42 pm
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Hi RMosele,

It is doable, but not reversible, so make sure you want to do this. If you change your mind you'll need to replace the modified parts. First as mentioned you'll need to rework the nut. If you have nut files, no problem. Otherwise take it to a tech who does. If the bridge has slotted barrels, the same may be true here.

You will also have to adjust pickup height and do a full setup. Good luck! Let us know how your conversion comes out.

Some of the ceramic pickups are very midrange heavy, so the B string might not sound as strong as you expected it to.


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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:36 am
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In addition to what Dave mentioned... if you need super low register, install the DiMarzio Ultra Jazz DP-149 pickup set as listed below. This is bass heavy and will respond to any tuning from 26 HZ and above. If I remember correctly, low register 'B' is right around 31 HZ, so the DiMarzios will definitely get it to the amp for you. This pickup set is also noiseless and will get rid of any 'single coil' hum that you may have while using only one pickup at a time. Good luck and let us know how things turn out.

CLICK >>> http://www.dimarzio.com/pickups/bass/standard-bass/ultra-jazz-pair


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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 6:35 am
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Thanks, all, for your help. Sounds like a good summer project. I will let you know how it turns out.

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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:51 pm
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You know--- I think this is a really cool idea-- making a 4 string bass with low B up to a D string in the G slot. AND being able to get the right kind of pickup that will do a good job on the B string.

I need to think of more "particulars" for this kind of thing to determine if I should maybe try it too. Anyone got any other ideas about the dynamic of such a thing? I don't know if it has all been covered. Bro Dave and PL may have covered it all- not sure though..... I may need to know reasons that it may NOT sound good or may NOT be a good thing to do.


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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:24 pm
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Why not just use a 4 string set and tune it B - E - A - D and the set the intonation?


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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 4:34 am
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Rockbassist wrote:
Why not just use a 4 string set and tune it B - E - A - D and the set the intonation?



That does work in some applications, however, with that much "slack" in an actual E string, depending upon how low you have your string heights set, it may hit the frets during aggressive playing. So, adjusting the bridge saddles may also be necessary... give it a try and see what happens.



P-L


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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:14 am
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I tried that before posting. The bass was virtually unplayable. Like you said the E string tuned to B and the A string tuned to E slapped the pickups no matter how gently I attacked them. Plus the B string was so loose it really didn't make much noise at all.

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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 12:57 pm
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As Dave mentioned in Post # 3 above, you would have to open up the nut slots to accommodate the new string diameters. I'd suggest a .65 to .130 set of strings and please remember - the truss rod MAY have to be readjusted, as well as the bridge saddles to get back to the string height you were used to before the change.

AllParts has the files in stock, but if you can find someone who will do this for you, you may save some $$$. The files are not cheap and the labor for someone to open them up for you may actually be less money than buying the files yourself. Again... good luck and if you do this project, please let us know how things turn out.

CLICK >>> http://www.allparts.com/Nut-Files-s/157.htm


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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 4:59 pm
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This is a pretty beat up bass I'm talking about (it was my first and after I got my 60's reissue Jazz I reliced (sp?) it). What if I just bought a 5 string nut and chopped off the G string slot?

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Jack Kerouac, On the Road


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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:19 pm
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No. The nut has to be measured as per the guitar you are putting it on for the right spread on top center for each string--which also depends on gauge----- You could do what you are saying but I think the right way is to make the nut for the guitar it is going to be used on. I feel that the nut is an exacting type install and is very important. After all it is very not easy to do when you are first learning how to remove, cut and install a nut properly. And I think that is all for a good reason.


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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:05 am
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rmosele wrote:
This is a pretty beat up bass I'm talking about (it was my first and after I got my 60's reissue Jazz I reliced (sp?) it). What if I just bought a 5 string nut and chopped off the G string slot?



As long as it is a "beat up bass" I have an alternate suggestion for you.

Go to your local hardware store and inspect their SMALL DIAMETER, ROUND, TAPERED, METAL CUTTING FILES - or even the small gauge styles that are used to sharpen electric chain saw blades. Take out A LITTLE nut material at a time from the existing nut slots and you will probably be happy with the results. File slowly so you don't remove too much material and lay in a string now and then to check depth of the new cut. Do not go deeper than the original slot - you are only opening up mainly the sides of the slot to allow the larger diameter string to fit. Over the past 45 years or so, I have done that several times with 100 percent success.


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Post subject: Re: Probably another question for brotherdave . . strings .
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:37 am
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Well, the project is going to have to wait a bit. I had to pawn my 60's Jazz reissue yesterday to pay some bills due to the fact that I have been unemployed for 4 months. I'll have to use the project bass for a while as my only bass. Hopefully, I'll be able to get Janis, the 60's reissue, back in May. Sad face indeed.

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Jack Kerouac, On the Road


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