5 string neck graft or not?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Mike Weems

1. Nominal body length 43.5“
2. The string length is roughly 41.5inchs(1054.10mm)
3. Width of upper bout 19 7/8”
4. Width @ C bout 14 ¾”
5. Width @ lower bout 25”
6. Rib depth @ end block 7 5/8”
7. Rib depth @ back cut 7 3/8”
8. Rib depth @ neck block 6 ¼”
9. F-stop 23”
10. Chin of neck to heel 14.5”
11. Neck length from frnt edge of nut to end 17 3/8”
Sorry about that.

This is more then the basics but, it is a 3/4 and sound is an issue for 5s. I have a 3/4 (maybe) that is a 5er from birth and it is quite a boomer but, born as such. Compare the numbers to your measurements. http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/5string/

Still, if this was a 4-string and I wanted or needed to convert a bass to a 5er, this would NOT be the one to convert.

I have a huge English bass, born as a 4 and recently converted to a 5er and then not long after back to a 4. It's an organ and stands up to any bass. This would be the size you want for a 5er. http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/tarr/

For reference, here's a bass we converted from a 4; http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/mystery2/

And here's one that came in as a 5 and sounded even better with the B lifted off; http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/euro5/

Both were fairly new basses antiqued to look older. The sound was there. If your bass is a commercial sized 3/4 and made and intended to be a 4-string, keep it as a 4-string. Not all basses do well as 5s. Many of the old 4s were born as 3s and I have and have had many of those as well. 4-strings is the norm' so stay with that and play it safe.