changing a tub spout. not enough exposed pipe to screw into....

So I recently started replacing some shower/tub trim in a tub from 1992 (all brass). So the old Delta tub spout was the type that just screws right onto the threaded nipple coming out of the wall. The first replacement spout I got left too much gap when I tried to screw onto the exposed threaded nipple. And more than you can cover with one of those decorative flange pieces. IE – more than an inch + between back of the spout and the tile wall when all the way screwed in.

The next one I got after talking to Delta, the length of the spout/placement of the coupling in the spout + the amount of exposed pipe/nipple…there isn’t enough pipe exposed to reach the threaded piece down in the nose of the spout. Went to Lowes to see if there was some brass coupling or something I could screw onto the exposed nipple that would give me the 1/2 inch – ¾ inch extension that I think would work. He said they don’t have anything like that and gave me some PVC coupling to try….way too long.

Outside of calling a plumber to come take off (or add, depending on which spout we keep) some pipe……or taking a hacksaw and cutting off ½ inch at the base of the spout….any ideas? Surely there is some extender/coupling I can get? This cannot be a unique occurrence.

Pics attached. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

Attached Images

     

changing a tub spout. not enough exposed pipe to screw into....