24 3/4 conversion Strat neck or tune down 1/2 step?

[WindsurfMaui]

I'd like to hear people's opinion on whether I should buy a 24 3/4 conversion neck for my American Standard Strat or tune down 1/2 step? I know the Gibson scale neck feels easier to play so why not have the best of both worlds a 24 3/4 neck on a single coil or humbucker bridge Strat?

I haven't read anything that explains how/why Leo Fender came up with the 25 1/2 " scale. Maybe he got it wrong and a 25" scale is actually the better size for Strat??

I understand that Jimi Hendrix always played his Strat  tuned down a 1/2 step. So what do people think is the better answer? and why?

 

[musicispeace]

I have a 24.75 strat neck that has not yet gone onto a guitar but I have experimented a bit with Eb tuning. I asked a friend recently who works for another parts maker other then Warmoth if 24.75 was very similar to tuning to Eb and he responded that fundamentally they are in the same ballpark. Eb gets more bendy bends for me and the strings have a softer (lower tension) feel to me. Whenever I pick up an SG in a guitar shop I notice immediately the same two characteristics. All that said, I remain a 25.5 tuned to 440 player 95% of the time. At present I plan to use my 24.75 strat neck with a set of P90 pickups I have because in my mind it follows the Gibson P90 effect to a greater degree. I have read one can use either Eb tuning or 24.75 scale and employ heavier gauge strings more easily since the tension is lower than 25.5.

As to a "why" out in the music world I have heard Eb tuning is easier to accompany for some singers and that some guitarists prefer it for the above reasons. Personally I don't have an interest in imposing Eb on a band unless a singer really benefited from it. I can bend 10 ga strings on my 25.5 scale strat to my satisfaction.

 

[aarontunes]

I keep all my guitars tuned down a half step, including my Les Pauls. I prefer the tone and playability of being tuned down. It's also a lot easier on my voice. I keep one guitar tuned to A440, so I can practice along with recordings when learning songs.


I'm in three bands. My Scorps and Jovi tribs tune down. Thank goodness, because some of those Richie vocal parts (which I sing) are way up there.


My Boston trib plays at A440. I scowl at my bandmates while I tune my Les Paul up for the gig. When I sing the harmony parts (above Brad Delp) on a few of the songs, I can feel my body begin to turn inside out. Immediately after the gig I tune back down, and make a doctor's appointment.

 

[WindsurfMaui]

For some reason I just have a dislike of the 3 on a side headstock. No idea why so I have always liked the look of a Strat. Now that it is quite common to see humbuckers in a Strat body it just makes sense that whether using single coils or humbuckers I can stay with the Strat and either tune down or put in a conversion neck. I had planned on buying a "modern" construction Strat neck to see what it feels like and for a future build but wasn't sure if I should try it in the Gibson conversion or stay with the 25 1/2" length and just tune down. Maybe some others will post their experiences with a conversion neck.

 

[stratamania]

The only reason I tune down to Eb is for singers, or for songs such as those by Hendrix which require it.

I have 24 3/4" scale as well as Strats and Teles, but I personally would not tune down or use a shorter scale to reduce the feel of string tension. I might use a different gauge set of strings for that.

That said if you like the feel of a shorter scale and it is more comfortable for you then try a conversion neck or a 7/8 Warmoth.

 

[musicispeace]

The 24.75 strat neck I have in my parts bin is a Modern and Standard Thin neck from Warmoth. I usually go for the boatneck profile but sometimes when shopping in the Showcase one chooses a neck that happens to be a different profile than you might choose if it was custom built for you.

Many users here feel the Modern neck is extremely stable and that has been my experience as well. I also have top adjust necks that have been fine where I live. I think you should buy what interests and appeals to you and don't be afraid to experiment once in awhile. Don't over think it too much. You know that a 24.75 will result in less tension which will feel like softer, loser strings that will be easier to bend. If you also want to tune to Eb with the same neck you can get away with using a gauge thicker strings so that they are not too loose feeling.

Personally I tend to FEEL a difference slightly between 1 11/16 and 1 5/8 nut width. The 1 11/16 feels like slightly wider real estate which can allow for slightly more separation between fingers if that helps you. To me it feels a little more Gibsony. But its far more common with manufactures than the 1 5/8. I like 1 5/8 for fatter necks since there is more neck taking up the palm of the hand. Just my two cents worth.

And I agree at this point with you about the 3 on a side tuner deal. A strat is just so comfortable it feels like you were born with it. Its a great and flexible platform to work up project ideas on.