Stringing a lefty jazz bass neck upside down

[tomgilks]

I have a lefty body for a Mexican jazz bass. I want to install a righty neck on it for that Hendrixy look and just to be different. I am wondering if they make bass strings long enough so that the low string will reach all the way to the far peg. Has anybody strung a Fender P or Jazz bass upside down? I used to have a righty P-Bass that I strung upside down but I can't remember how many wraps I got around the tuning peg with the E string!

[Matt R.]

My first bass was a righty precision. You will have no problem stringing the neck with a set of long scale strings. Good luck

[AustinLeftyBass]

[Rodent]

exactly - you will need to have a new nut cut, but that's the most difficult part of it

R

[tomgilks]

Thanks guys. I have ordered a righty neck. If I'm lucky I can knock the nut out and simply turn it around. I'm going to have to lower it anyways. If not, I'm sure I can scrounge something up. I'm really looking forward to peicing this thing together. I'll post some pictures if I ever get this done!

[AustinLeftyBass]

If I'm lucky I can knock the nut out

FYI, as I have to reverse or replace the nut on every lefty bass I buy I've got it down pretty well, I use a blow dryer on the nut to loosen the glue, and it comes out REAL easy.

[Rodent]

great tip ALB!

when you glue the nut back in, use just a small drop or two of wood glue. there's no need to make the connection ballistic grade since the string pressure holds the nut firmly in place anyway. the drop of glue keeps the nut from sliding back/forth in the slot (and from falling off when you re-string)

I also advise not using something like CA (superglue) - you'll be sorry you did next time you need to remove your nut

depending on the exact contours of your neck, you may also need to touch-up the bottom corner ears of the nut to re-match the neck contour. you can easily do this with a file before you glue the nut in place. you'll know you need to do this if you feel sharp corners when you run your fingers along the neck and you catch on the nut

all the best,

R

[baalroo]

...when you run your fingers along the neck and you catch on the nut

Wait... what?

[pjmuck]

Good tips. Is there any special attention required for non-traditional bone or plastic nuts, such as graphite or brass? I'm thinking about putting a graphite nut on my Wal.

[tomgilks]

Well I managed to peice a bass together with a right handed neck i bought on E-BAY. Now I just have to rip the frets off once I find a decent method for filling in the gaps where the frets once were.

[Rodent]

re filling fret slots: do you have a Woodcraft or Rockler near you? if so, you can utilize the thin veneers of a complimentary or contrasting color to fill the slots. use epoxy and not wood glue to secure then in place. a sharp chisel will work to rough cut the veneer, and then some careful sanding will eliminate the speedbumps.

for best results, use a wood with similar expansion properties so you can avoid seasonal swelling (and the need to re-sand the fingerboard)

all the best,

R

[tomgilks]

Should I coat the neck with anything when I am finished? I don't have a Woodcraft or Rockler nearby but I'm sure I can find some thin veneer somewhere. If I had been smart I would have just ordered a fretless neck from Mighty Mite in the first place!

[Rodent]

since it's Rosewood, you don't need to. if you do decide to finish it, I recommend MirrorCoat by System3. I've used it on several necks, and it's held up very well against prolonged Rotosound usage

all the best,

R