Neck suggestion for custom chambered body and piezo bridge

[Badside]

They say a picture is worth thousand word, so see below the body for which I am ordering a neck. It's roughly Starcaster based, but slightly more elongated, and built like a Thinline (2 big chambers).
It will receive a "hardtail" type bridge with Ghost saddles for added acoustic tones.

This will be also be my go-to guitar for parts that would usually call for a Gibson (I only have Strat type guitars since selling my LP). It's african mahogany if you must know, both the back and the top.

I'm pulling my hair over neck choice cause I'd like to order from the showcase, and going with a 24 3/4 scale means less options. I've played non mahogany guitars with bolt-on 24 3/4 that sounded more like a Gibson than my 25.5" set-neck mahogany Yamaha, so something tells me scale length has something to do with it...

I'm wondering what really does matter?

- Wood choice: classic would be mahogany with r/w board, but good luck finding one with the right headstock (1st choice is Strat, though Warmoth would work). They're all LP necks and the headstock simply wouldn't fit. Maple on maple would be kinda cool and a nod to the original Starcaster
- Scale length: as I said, I "think" this is important for the Gibson-ish sound, and also will allow me to use thicker strings for a better acoustic tone with the Ghost
- Back contour: I have big hands, I want a rather thick neck, ideally the 59 contour... that limits the search even more

What's everyone's opinion?

 

[Mor Paul]

Where'd you get the body?

 

[Badside]

Where'd you get the body?

Lots of sweat and sawdust?

Made it myself over the summer, and it's way too awesome to put a half-assed attempt at a neck on it (plus I'm still out a few important tools), so Warmoth it is

 

[bagman67]

First of all, welcome to the board. 


That's a handsome body you have there.  Did you build it, or did you buy it?  Either way, more background would be awesome.


As for what wood to use, well, I think if you want something in particular, your best bet is to bite the bullet and order it custom from Warmoth, rather than waiting for the showcase to magically accommodate your desire.  Further, I think if you want to replicate a Gibson sound, those big hollow chambers constitute a more significant obstacle to realizing that goal than the choice of necks -- unless you want to go the 335 route, in which case, I'd recommend a mahogany neck.  I do think there's a discernible difference that stems from the higher string tension associated with the longer scale, so (again, working toward a Gibson-analog), a 24.75" conversion neck is the right way to go.


Whatever you do (and I lack experience with the Ghost saddles in particular, so take this with a grain of salt), I would anticipate that the best you'll get out of them or any other piezo saddle is an "acoustic-ish" sound. 


Looking forward to seeing how this develops.  You're off to a very interesting start.


Peace,


Bagman

 

[Mor Paul]

Pretty much what he said.

 

[drewfx]

I'd either custom order or be prepared to wait and watch the Showcase for something for a long time.

I know, because I'm sort of in the same boat - I need to order a 59 roundback conversion neck in a warm wood for a body I've got sitting here, but haven't gotten around to it yet (got a couple of other minor projects I'm trying to finish up first).

There just aren't that many conversion necks, so the choices tend to be custom order, compromise on wood and profile, forget about the 24.75" and get a 25.5" instead, or be prepared to wait.

 

[Badside]

My issue with custom ordering right now is that I would LOVE to use this guitar for my next gig which is scheduled for March 31st... that's still almost 3 months away, but I'd like to dry fit everything before I lacquer the body. So if the neck takes 4-6 week to be shipped, then spends another week or so in transit, add in the time to do all the lacquer coats and then letting it cure... just not happening...

To be fair, there is a Warmoth neck right now with the right scale and contour, but it's a 3-piece laminated maple (with rw board) and every guitar with a laminated neck I've played didn't resonate enough for my taste... but that might not have been specifically because of the neck type. I have to say also I'm wondering why it's there seeing it's not a Warmoth thing normally... less than stellar wood maybe? I don't know...

I guess what I'm asking is: should I put so much emphasis on scale length? Would back contour and wood choice be more important?
I've read that the chambered construction might mellow out the tone a bit, perhaps a 25.5" would balance it out? Perhaps it doesn't matter (we still have a 4.5" wide 2"thick solid center here, I have a feeling the chambers will be mostly esthetic)

 

[MikeW]

IMHO the three things that really make up a guitar's sound are 1) pickups, 2) woods, 3) scale length. Woods to add/subtract overtones, scale length for harmonics, but I think the most important factor is the pickups. And when I say 'most important' I'm thinking like 60-70% of the tone is derived from there.

You haven't said what you've got planned for pickups but since you're looking for Gibby-ish sound I'd suggest the PAF/59er style. There are many good manufacturers of that style of pickup, and that mixed with a good Mahogany/Rosewood neck should get you there.

I'd love to see what you come up with for it. Looks like a killer project.

 

[DangerousR6]

Nice geetar, don't let Mayfly see it, he will have a fit...

To me, if it's worth building(especially in this case, you made it yourself) then it's worth waiting for the right parts. I'd say a custom order is in due. Very cool indeed, personally I'd go for wenge neck with ziricote fretboard, it works well with mahogany... :icon_thumright:

I have a hollow mahogany tele with that same combo neck and it's sensational...

 

[swarfrat]

It was tedious, but going through the bridge only took a couple evenings on a wilky, and the wires are completely hidden.

 

[Badside]

Oh well... this 59 roundback quartersawn mahogany Strat neck with ebony fretboard and white pearl fret markers mysteriously found its way into my shopping cart

It's 25.5"...

It's ok, I have this Charvel-ish Strat body that will house it if I decide I REALLY have to have the shorter scale

I'll let you guys know how it turns out!

 

[AutoBat]

As the current owner of a Warmoth '59 Roundback mahogany Strat with ebony fretboard and white pearl fret markers I say congrats.
If you chose them to finish it in clear gloss you are in for a beautiful surprise.  If it's got stainless steel 6105s & a black Graph Tech nut it'll have the same exact specs as mine.

 

[Cagey]

Y'know, even the custom-built parts don't take terribly long if there's no finishing involved. I ordered an Ebony over Bloodwood neck with SS frets and a Warhead back on the 19th of last month, and it's going to be here this Friday. That's less than a month. You certainly didn't build that body overnight - give Warmoth a break while doing yourself a favor and order what you really want.

 

[bagman67]

I ordered an Ebony over Bloodwood neck with SS frets and a Warhead back on the 19th of last month, and it's going to be here this Friday. That's less than a month.

And that's over the holidays - they must really love you, Cagey!

 

[swarfrat]

I got my wenge fatback ebony no inlay 24.75" neck in under 4 weeks as well. Like he said, no finish, and all the custom options were cnc operations, omitting a step or simple selection (fretwire is 6100gd).

Had I had it scalloped, or bound, finished, or non dot-inlay it probably would have taken longer.

 

[Badside]

As the current owner of a Warmoth '59 Roundback mahogany Strat with ebony fretboard and white pearl fret markers I say congrats.
If you chose them to finish it in clear gloss you are in for a beautiful surprise.  If it's got stainless steel 6105s & a black Graph Tech nut it'll have the same exact specs as mine.

I'll finish it myself, like the body. May Tru-oil the neck... or do a satin nitro clear, not sure yet. Spraying in my condo is kind of problematic!

6150 frets, and the white TUSQ Graph Tech nut. If it doesn't work with that body, surely I'll find another application for it

Usually not a fan of ebony, but this mahogany chambered body with classic f-hole had a cool violinish vibe so I figured ebony was the way to go

 

[greywolf]

I'd go with either walnut or mahogany  with an ebony fretboard .  Beautiful work ~

 

[Badside]

By the way, some have asked for a little more background on the body, so I though I'd share a few pictures of the process

 

[Badside]

Oh, my order has already shipped  :guitaristgif: