24 fret neck

[J-Building]

Yes, I know I'm probably suggesting something that's been suggested before (I'm new, bear with me for a while :icon_biggrin.  But is it possible to do a 26.5" scale conversion neck?  Maybe not even a conversion; it could be another option entirely for a build.  It doesn't drastically change the feel of a guitar in my opinion.  The extra inch could satisfy those who have been dying to get a Strat with 24 frets but without eliminating the neck pickup.  Of course, the overhang would be minimal enough so as to not interfere with the neck pickup.  I feel like this would be an easy option to do, but I'm not a luthier, so my experience is limited at best.  What are your opinions?

 

[Cagey]

Anything's possible. How much money you got?

 

[J-Building]

Definitely enough for a custom neck from Warmoth.  But I'm hoping that I won't have to dump it all into the neck and not have enough for Bare Knuckles and a body.  Any hopes that it can incorporated into the product line?

 

[Cagey]

Oh, I'm talking much more than the cost of a custom neck. We're looking at building a new tool. You need a ganged fret slot cutter to make a production change worthwhile, plus floor space, ventilation, training, etc. I don't know how to cost that out, but I could see it hitting $20K easily, probably more. That's assuming they think they could sell more than one, because if not, it's all pointless. And I gotta tell ya, I don't see much of a market for what you're asking for.

As custom as Warmoth gets, I don't think they do one-offs that move outside the envelope of standard designs. But, some guys do. They're not cheap either, but it's unlikely they'd cost what Warmoth would charge.

 

[greywolf]

You can get a 24 fret with a 25" scale from Carvin , I've built 2 guitars with them

 

[drewfx]

Keep in mind you increase string tension when you increase scale length.

And if you down-tuned to compensate, then you'd lose the high notes you're presumably trying to get with the 2 extra frets.

 

[Jeremiah]

I've never played a guitar with an extended scale length, but I keep thinking "I like a  24.75 neck better than a 24", I like a 25.5 better than a 24.75, so maybe something around 26.5 would be even better again."

I'm not really expecting it from Warmoth, as they presumably sell enough of their existing lines and have no incentive to experiment with odd alternatives, but I would like it if more mainstream manufacturers would try things beyond the tried-and-trusted standards.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I'm not really expecting it from Warmoth, as they presumably sell enough of their existing lines and have no incentive to experiment with odd alternatives, but I would like it if more mainstream manufacturers would try things beyond the tried-and-trusted standards.

They do.  Have you seen all the bigger better mouse traps at a guitar show?  PRS doesn't use the 24 3/4" or 25.5" on most of their stuff.  Neither does Rickenbacker.  The Buckethead Sig model is longer scale with standard tuning.  There's guitars that tune themselves, guitar bridges that don't go out of tune, guitars not made out of wood, and true single coils (not a stacked coil) that don't hum.  The problem is not the R&D, it's convincing the dyed in the wool types to buy them.  It's why everyone under the sun makes some kind of Strat, Tele, and Les Paul and the vintage 6 hole bridge won't die.

 

[drewfx]

The problem is not the R&D, it's convincing the dyed in the wool types to buy them. 

Even worse, not only do many guitarists say, "not for me" and don't buy them. They also trash anything that's different from their cherished classics mercilessly.