A few questions about the 32" short scale bass bodies

[pscates]

I hope I'm posting this in the right section...seemed like the best fit.

Just looking to learn/corral a few things about these bodies, specifically the J or P ones (as opposed to the Mooncaster).

1. Are the neck pocket dimensions the same as the other Fender-standard Warmoth offerings? If not, does anyone know what they are?

2. Does anyone know/have the dimension from the heel of the neck pocket to where the 5 holes for the Gotoh 201 bridge are drilled?

Has anyone built their own body to pair with one of the short-scale necks (32", in particular)?

I've come up with an interesting design (Paul McCartney* meets Willy Wonka ) that I'd like to bring to life this spring/summer, and was just curious about some technical details needed to successfully pair with these short-scale necks.

I assume if the pocket dimensions and distance to 201 bridge holes are known, one could build whatever style/shape they'd like around that, correct?

Thanks!

*PS - I'm aware the Hofner is 30"...I'm not doing an exact copy/lift, simply inspired by some of the "violin-ness" vibe.

 

[Fat Pete]

Hi pscates, welcome to the forum.

1. The SSB neck pocket is smaller than the 34" scale basses . Have a look here and here for the details.

2. I have some drawings that show the neck pocket to bridge screw distance as 10.74", but I can't remember whether that's info I've found somewhere trustworthy or if it's just my own estimate scaling from photos.  If it's the latter, that might be close enough to use for basic design layout, but please don't start drilling holes.

I think forum stalwart DMRACO used a short scale neck with a body he made, so hopefully he can provide some more definitive advice.

[edit] Found another drawing where the pocket to bridge screw measurement is 10.945", so clearly these are estimates.

 

[pscates]

Thanks for the info. I'll keep my eyes open for other responses/details!

UPDATE: Hmmm, I'm taking my initial small drawings in Adobe Illustrator and scaling it all up full size - using the info from the links above (neck pocket dimensions, scaling up a photo to match that and getting the 5-hole placement, etc.). Things seem a bit off in a few ways...

When I scale up a short-scale J-bass body photo to perfectly match the neck pocket dimensions (3.625" long x 2.387" wide), I'm getting a measurement of ~10.4 from the back of the neck pocket to the location of the five bridge screw holes. That's a bit less than the two figures above (but they could be estimates, as stated).

Everything else - spring spacing, the known real-life sizes of knobs, bridge and pickup, etc. are all pretty dead on. When I measure from the nut (the side closest to the neck) to the 12th fret, it's right at 16". Then I go from the 12th fret and that 16" lands right on the middle of the bridge, with the screw's sitting back from that about a half-inch.

I'm just concerned that my number is off from the two provided above.

I'm hoping that someone with a Warmoth short scale J- or P- bass body actually in hand can show up and eliminate my fudging, estimating, extrapolating and guesswork, and simply provide an accurate measurement from the rear of the neck pocket to the five bridge holes. If I can just get THAT dialed in with confidence, I can work out from there.

 

[davegardner0]

I have a G4 SSB body with the Gotoh 201 bridge (although I have the 30" scale neck on it). But since Warmoth's short scale bodies and necks are all designed to work with each other, the dimensions should be the same. I can measure the neck pocket to bridge hole distance for you if you'd like. I'll post my results soon!

 

[pscates]

Yes, please! You didn't even have to ask. :glasses10: That's exactly the help I was looking for...I knew someone here had to own one of these.

 

[Knorris]

pscates, the answer you are looking for is 10.650". Take Care and best of luck.

 

[pscates]

Thank you!

 

[Fat Pete]

Yep, thanks Knorris. Coming around here with your accurate measurements. Now I'll have to redo all my drawings. Not that I'm likely to be building a short scale bass soon, or in the distant future. Still, you've got a nerve, that's all I'm saying.

 

[Knorris]

Yep, thanks Knorris. Coming around here with your accurate measurements. Now I'll have to redo all my drawings. Not that I'm likely to be building a short scale bass soon, or in the distant future. Still, you've got a nerve, that's all I'm saying.

Haha, Sorry Fat Pete. Hey, if your saddles have enough travel your numbers are right on the money.  :turtle:

 

[Knorris]

Also, I just want to add that I am constantly amazed by the knowledge, information, and good willingness I see on this forum from all you guys.  :yourock:

 

[davegardner0]

I can confirm that measurement. I just measured mine at 270mm which is 10.63" from the heel end of the neck pocket to the bridge mounting holes.

 

[Fat Pete]

Yep, thanks Knorris. Coming around here with your accurate measurements. Now I'll have to redo all my drawings. Not that I'm likely to be building a short scale bass soon, or in the distant future. Still, you've got a nerve, that's all I'm saying.

Haha, Sorry Fat Pete. Hey, if your saddles have enough travel your numbers are right on the money.  :turtle:

I'll admit I'm quietly pleased with only 0.09" error.

While we're on the subject of accuracy, how safe am I to assume that the +0.012" between neck heel and pocket spec is the same across all your stuff - so a Strat etc 2.188" neck, 2.2" pocket?

 

[dmraco]

The instrument that I built as reference by Fat Pete was a guitar.  I built the guitar with a 25.5 scale neck as a mock up, but slapped on a 24.75 inch.  It was easy since these are conversion necks and bolt right in.

With WARMOTH short scale series, the 30 and 32 inch necks are interchangeable but you cannot ever put on one of the 34 in necks as the pocket dimensions are different as referenced.

If you wanted to build a 32 inch with a WARMOTH neck the challenge would be the neck pocket as they are not standard fender sizes thus templates would not be readily available.  If you were to get the pocket cut, set up would be no different than any other bass.

I did check and the WARMOTH bass body blanks are for 34 inch scale.  They may do a short scale, but that would require a phone call at the minimum.

I think I answered your question....not sure :doh:

 

[Fat Pete]

DMRACO, you had me questioning my sanity (I won't have been the first).

 

[dmraco]

DMRACO, you had me questioning my sanity (I won't have been the first).

Damn...your right.  How can I forget.    I just was not thinking.  Thanks Pete for jogging my memory....to many builds and beers I guess

But my statements above are correct.  The neck pocket for that was a b!tch.  I used a stock fender template that I had to modify by adding material to the sides and using the neck to test fit.  Once the neck was on I then just measured 32 inches from nut to the middle of the saddle movement for bridge location.  I trouble checked with the twelfth fret too.  If I used a 30 that number would obviously change to 30

The neck pocket is smaller than standard bass but larger than a guitar.

Here is the build thread out lining the issue

http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=28337.0

 

[pscates]

Thanks for all the help/info, everyone. I could've avoided this thread completely if I'd just dug a bit harder at Warmoth's site (for the neck pocket/heel info and dimensions). Although I still would've needed to know that distance from the rear of the pocket to the bridge holes, so it all worked out.

 

[Knorris]

Yep, thanks Knorris. Coming around here with your accurate measurements. Now I'll have to redo all my drawings. Not that I'm likely to be building a short scale bass soon, or in the distant future. Still, you've got a nerve, that's all I'm saying.

Haha, Sorry Fat Pete. Hey, if your saddles have enough travel your numbers are right on the money.  :turtle:

I'll admit I'm quietly pleased with only 0.09" error.

While we're on the subject of accuracy, how safe am I to assume that the +0.012" between neck heel and pocket spec is the same across all your stuff - so a Strat etc 2.188" neck, 2.2" pocket?

Fat Pete, we do our best to hit those specs coming off our CNC's. By machining our necks .012" smaller than our neck pockets it allows room for the finish on a neck. So yes, you are safe.