NEED INFO PLEASE! Jazzmaster Baritone Conversion.

[jo140785]

Hi Everyone,
I'm ordering a warmoth strat conversion neck (maple, rosewood) soon to put on my Fender Blacktop jazzmaster (http://www.fender.com/en-CA/products/blacktop/models.php?partno=0148400500).
I hope you expert freaks can answer some of my questions! Thanks to everyone!

1) The common question: what strings gauge to put? I'm gonna play ambiant/rock music. Nothing metal, but nothing twangy. Probably be in B tuning, or A. I'm used to 10-52 light top/heavy bottom on regular scale. Any suggestions? Do I need to have the 3rd string wounded?

2) What tuner holes do I order? Can I use the same stock tuners of the guitar or I need to change them? What tuners do you suggest?

3) Are the mounting holes are guarantee to fit on the jazzmaster?

4) Should I change the stock bridge (barrels) since the strings are bigger, or it'll hold the strings in place? What bridge do you recommend?

5) What fret size do i choose with that type of music/playing?

Thanks for your time, I know this is a lot of info. Can't wait to play with it!
Jon

 

[AutoBat]

1: Here's a pretty decent site for a variety of Baritone string sets: http://www.juststrings.com/baritoneguitar.html
2: Most tuners will work fine except for most locking tuners unless you're handy with a drill because the locking mechanism is generally too snug for the larger string.
3: If it matches the heel it should fit (I'm betting it does).  Specs can be found here: http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/faq2.aspx
4: They ought to work fine.  A popular upgrade (albeit expensive) is the Mastery bridge replacement. http://www.masterybridge.com/
5: Size is something only you can decide. You can see the dimensions here: http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/FretSize.aspx
I strongly suggest stainless steel frets. (or the gold, if you're into that sort of thing)

And Welcome to the forum!

 

[swarfrat]

If you normally like 10-52, stringing 10-52 and tuning to D is always an option. Or 12/C, 13/B should feel similar. I'm finding I like wound G, mostly because i feel like too thick plain strings sound clunky. (The longer scale lenth will combat that phenomina somewhat) but wound G has vastly better pinch harmonics and superior intonation as well.

 

[jo140785]

Thanks for the replies!
Anyone have different ideas/opinions?
jon

 

[thebutcher85]

Checkout my baritone build here: http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=17659.0

My baritone build was built for rock, (not metal or anything insane)

As for strings, I wouldn't go with anything other than the Ernie ball baritone slinky set, I tried some other brands/gauges and they were horrible compared to the Ernie Balls.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/ernie-ball-2839-baritone-electric-guitar-string-set

The gauges may look huge, but if you go with anything less the strings will flop around like spaghetti and be a buzzy mess. Stick with the Ernie balls and they'll serve you very well for your purposes.

 

[thebutcher85]

As for the rest of your questions, I used the Sperzel locking tuners, and had to *slightly* drill a few of the holes wider for the baritone strings, it was very easy though, and they have held up on tour with zero problems thus far (it's been on the road for a year now)

I used the tuneomatic/stoptail bridge for the marauder baritone, and it worked extremely well, no intonation problems, and held everything solid. I'd recommend that same bridge/tailpiece combo, or the tuneomatic/string-through body.

With your bridge in question, you may have to slightly widen the holes for the string ball-ends.

Oh, and as for the fret sizes, go with the 6100's (I *think* those are the big super jumbo ones?? Someone care to confirm?) you definitely want big frets for the baritone, it'll make it nice & beefy sounding (IMHO of course)

 

[swarfrat]

6100 is quite huge, biggest W offers.

 

[thebutcher85]

6100 is quite huge, biggest W offers.

That's what I thought. I forgot I used 6150's on my Baritone build, I'll probly go with the 6100's next, I had an ibanez with massive jumob frets like that, and I loved the feel.

 

[Cagey]

I use 6100s on all my necks, because they're so big. They allow much greater control over the string, as they dig right into your fingertip. Gives a good strong grip on things.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

6100's & Baritones just go together so nicely.

 

[jo140785]

Checkout my baritone build here: http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=17659.0

My baritone build was built for rock, (not metal or anything insane)

As for strings, I wouldn't go with anything other than the Ernie ball baritone slinky set, I tried some other brands/gauges and they were horrible compared to the Ernie Balls.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/ernie-ball-2839-baritone-electric-guitar-string-set

The gauges may look huge, but if you go with anything less the strings will flop around like spaghetti and be a buzzy mess. Stick with the Ernie balls and they'll serve you very well for your purposes.

Wow, that baritone looks fantastic! Good job, thanks for sharing that.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I am using the Ernie Ball "not even slinky" .012-.056 set on my baritone tele (work in progress thread), but if you're a Elixr user, they have baritone sets at juststrings.com.