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View Full Version : Tele baritone conversion neck.



Alm_63
17-08-2015, 05:04 PM
Guy's what do people think of a baritone conversion neck for a T kit.
It would be a 27.5" neck, and tune down to B.
Any thoughts.

ultpanzi
17-08-2015, 05:10 PM
Itd work but make sure you add a couple of frets to get the scale length right. From memory, from 25" to 27" youd need to go from a 22 fret to a 24 fret to maintain the scale length.

Alm_63
17-08-2015, 05:21 PM
Two U.S. Companies make them but they hellishly expensive. $29US +

wokkaboy
17-08-2015, 06:24 PM
Hey Bruce, the bridge may have to be moved back further from the neck pocket to compensate for the extra scale length. That means the pickguard that comes with the TL kit would have a big gap between the bridge plate and pickguard

BenWA
17-08-2015, 07:46 PM
if you used a shorter bridge like the one on the deluxe/thinline youd be ok

Gavin1393
17-08-2015, 10:42 PM
Itd work but make sure you add a couple of frets to get the scale length right. From memory, from 25" to 27" youd need to go from a 22 fret to a 24 fret to maintain the scale length.

Not sure this is correct...

Your longer scale length would imply only that the distance between the corresponding frets on a guitar with a shorter scale length would in turn be shorter than a guitar with a longer scale length. A longer fretboard could of course accommodate more frets on the board but the number of frets doesn't influence the scale length at all. For example a 12th fret on a 25" (or 63.5cm) fretboard would sit around the 31.75cm mark. A guitar with a 27" (68.6cm) fretboard would have the 12th fret at around 34.3cm.

Hence the only place you could add the frets would have to be on the headstock to keep the guitar in tune. Extending a 25" fretboard to 27" would give you one horribly out of tune guitar?

dingobass
18-08-2015, 08:57 AM
To simplify this, Baritone necks are basically the same scale as a Bass neck from the third fret down.
Ie, third fret becomes first fret.

pablopepper
18-08-2015, 09:25 AM
Just to clarify, Bruce and Ultpanzi are talking about 'conversion' necks not standard baritone necks. These are designed to be a straight swap for a regular scale guitar and have their fret positions calculated accordingly.

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/images/Necks/ConversionNecksCompared.jpg

wokkaboy
18-08-2015, 09:51 AM
ah ok Pabs, if the scale length doesn't change then it will bolt straight in fine. But if you bolt on a 27.5" scale neck then the body will need mods ie neck pocket shifted forward or bridge moved away from the neck pocket
@ Gavmiester, your new avatar, didn't realise your pink limo is convertible and has cream upholstery !

pablopepper
18-08-2015, 09:53 AM
ah ok Pabs, if the scale length doesn't change then it will bolt straight in fine. But if you bolt on a 27.5" scale neck then the body will need mods ie neck pocket shifted forward or bridge moved away from the neck pocket

Nope. The whole idea of these necks is to be able to bolt on with no further modification.

pablopepper
18-08-2015, 09:56 AM
Watch this


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHiJAOPYJH0

wokkaboy
18-08-2015, 10:47 AM
interesting vid Pabs, so the 28 + 5/8 inch scale baritone bolts on with some intonation. Looks like they have tacked on more frets (24) to compensate for the extra scale length - clever
Looks like it is possible without too many mods

Fretworn
18-08-2015, 11:05 AM
I'd love to convert my Tele to a baritone. But as Bruce said the Warmoth necks are expensive even before you get to freight costs. I don't know if it's an option for the factory in China though. They'd have to have machinery tooled for the baritone scale, etc, etc.

wokkaboy
18-08-2015, 11:17 AM
wow as you say Fretty the Warmoth baritone neck could be up to $470 (assume that's US dollars) before you even get to the options/upgrades
http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/Warmoth_BaritoneNeck.aspx

Gavin1393
18-08-2015, 02:26 PM
Just to clarify, Bruce and Ultpanzi are talking about 'conversion' necks not standard baritone necks. These are designed to be a straight swap for a regular scale guitar and have their fret positions calculated accordingly.

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/images/Necks/ConversionNecksCompared.jpg

I get what they are doing. It has to be a whole new neck. The basic premise being that they have added two frets from the NUT.
Here are the scale lengths for the two guitars Warmouth mention.

Alm_63
18-08-2015, 05:45 PM
The warmouth conversion type neck was what I was thinking of.
I just thought it would be an interesting option for the Tele style kits.

dingobass
18-08-2015, 06:34 PM
Jayzuz... $470?????

Warmouth are a massive rip off, and their gear isnt really all that brilliant.. Just mass produced CNC stuff.
I can build you a hand made neck for $250 postage included.....

Gavin1393
18-08-2015, 07:24 PM
Jayzuz... $470?????

Warmouth are a massive rip off, and their gear isnt really all that brilliant.. Just mass produced CNC stuff.
I can build you a hand made neck for $250 postage included.....
Will it have the Dingo in the headstock too?

And Warmouth are probably trying their best to help pay of the US deficits.... :)

dingobass
18-08-2015, 07:53 PM
Will it have the Dingo in the headstock too?

Of course it will :)

Gavin1393
18-08-2015, 09:55 PM
In that case I'll order a 727mm telecaster neck please...Shoot! did I say that out loud....Umm...just tell the Telenapper it's for a strat...

dingobass
19-08-2015, 08:44 AM
Bahahahaha!
Will start on templates today then :)

wokkaboy
19-08-2015, 08:50 AM
I'd love a baritone neck too thanks DB, maybe after you've done the templates and Gavmeisters neck you can please help me build one. Length of fingerboard needed will be about 590mm minimum I see 24th fret is 545mm from the nut

Gavin1393
19-08-2015, 09:39 AM
I'd love a baritone neck too thanks DB, maybe after you've done the templates and Gavmeisters neck you can please help me build one. Length of fingerboard needed will be about 590mm minimum I see 24th fret is 545mm from the nut

Mine is on order!

If you look at the 24th Fret and the 22nd Fret of the examples I posted earlier, both are 181.76mm from the bridge. So as the lads were saying, there is no need to rework the body.
It's like the golden ratio! :)

wokkaboy
19-08-2015, 09:47 AM
well spotted Gavmeister, the magic number.
I have a conch girl kit from the leftover wudtone so when I'm up DB's man cave next time we can put a coat of conch girl on your neck and headstock, is that ok Gavmiester ?

dingobass
19-08-2015, 02:49 PM
Which one do you want Woks?

The Barry White scale or the Tills Lindermann scale?

wokkaboy
19-08-2015, 02:54 PM
hey DB, not sure what is the scale length of each of those ?
I'm happy with the same as Gav's scale 727mm with a tele heel, no point making two templates.
These will also need a much longer truss rod too than a standard guitar.
I'll probably end up building a scratch body for it so will make the neck heel size/shape to suit

dingobass
19-08-2015, 03:11 PM
Vroooooooom! Think that went right over your head, eh Woks?

Barry White scale is 24"
Tills Lindermannn scale is 28"

:p

wokkaboy
19-08-2015, 03:38 PM
thanks for enlightening me DB, I wouldn't have a clue what axes and scale length they played

dingobass
19-08-2015, 03:46 PM
Got ya again Woks :)

The reference was to depth of voice.....

Gavin1393
19-08-2015, 03:54 PM
Got ya again Woks :)

The reference was to depth of voice.....

Classic.....just like Barry White!

Alm_63
19-08-2015, 03:57 PM
I think I've started something here.
Hehehe
When my tax check comes back I think DB might be getting an order!

dingobass
19-08-2015, 04:03 PM
Always fun taking the mickey out of Woks :p

No worries Alm, I would be happy to build you one whenever :)

Gavin1393
19-08-2015, 04:07 PM
I think I've started something here.
Hehehe
When my tax check comes back I think DB might be getting an order!

Indeed you might have Bruce. We have been talking about Baritones for some time (around 2 years ago on the forum) but we never got further than initial discussions with the factory. I think someone (DB) was putting together some spec's...

But since then it became quiet around the Baritone's so this discussion has certainly reignited the subject....and I can finally get something out of DB! (I have an HB with DB that has been MIA since having a IOD....or something like that!)

wokkaboy
19-08-2015, 04:09 PM
I'll get you back DB you sly dog hahahha

Gavin1393
19-08-2015, 04:09 PM
Always fun taking the mickey out of Woks :p

No worries Alm, I would be happy to build you one whenever :)

Might be worth doing a few necks and selling them as a stock part on the site DB....reckon no one else is doing it in Aus?

dingobass
19-08-2015, 04:15 PM
Might be worth doing a few necks and selling them as a stock part on the site DB....reckon no one else is doing it in Aus?

Yhep. Its always easier to do a run than one offs.

I will be building a Barry White, Tills Lindermann and Wokka scale (24")....
See what I just did there? :p

dingobass
19-08-2015, 04:17 PM
Indeed you might have Bruce. We have been talking about Baritones for some time (around 2 years ago on the forum) but we never got further than initial discussions with the factory. I think someone (DB) was putting together some spec's...

But since then it became quiet around the Baritone's so this discussion has certainly reignited the subject....and I can finally get something out of DB! (I have an HB with DB that has been MIA since having a IOD....or something like that!)

You will be happy to know I have got some colour on the Hoffie... Just waiting for an order of dyes to show up so I can continue.
Would also be nice if this wet weather racked off so I can do some spraying.......

dave.king1
19-08-2015, 08:24 PM
You lot are very bad people, I am developing an itch for a 30" scale Strat neck for a VI ( found a body template )

Just need to be careful with the pension cheque and not mention it to the minister for war and finance

Gavin1393
19-08-2015, 08:47 PM
Just waiting for an order of dyes to show up so I can continue.
...as long as the dyes are not being delivered by 4D I can relax...

dingobass
19-08-2015, 09:48 PM
Hahaha!
I promise there is no pink dye involved :)

dingobass
20-08-2015, 03:35 PM
Templates for 647 and 727 scales marked out....
Standard neck template for comparison.

Beer o'clock :p

wokkaboy
20-08-2015, 03:38 PM
nice one DB, so which one is the Bazza White scale, presume the 647mm hahha

Did you work out how long the fingerboard needs to be for the 727mm ?

enjoy your beer, don't overdo it !

dingobass
20-08-2015, 03:39 PM
Yep, 647 is the Barry White scale...

Fingerboard for 727 is around the 560mm ish mark

wokkaboy
20-08-2015, 03:42 PM
yeah ok cool, I presume you need a bit past the nut and a bit past the 24th fret.
I'll check on Gavmiesters distance nut to 24th fret
EDIT nut to 24th fret is 545mm so I'd think you would allow 15mm past 24th fret and at least 20mm north of the nut so think you would need around 585mm long fingerboard to be safe

dingobass
21-08-2015, 10:38 AM
570mm will be more than enough length for the finger board. :)

wokkaboy
21-08-2015, 10:43 AM
no worries DB, I was thinking about it on the wet ride to work and you won't need any overhang past the neck heel so yes I agree 570mm will be ample
Never question DB or he gets upset hahah

BenWA
21-08-2015, 10:49 AM
is there any chance we will be seeing a $50 chinese version in the next shipment?

dingobass
21-08-2015, 10:55 AM
@Woks, it was a perfectly reasonable question , Had me reaching for the rule to check I hadnt stuffed up :)

@Ben, probably not... :p

wokkaboy
21-08-2015, 11:00 AM
no worries DB, I'd prefer to have the extra length fingerboard just in case you want a bit of overhang past the heel anyway.
Might have to see if the Timber Bloke has any 580mm Jami !
Next visit keen to chop that piece of jami in half and make 2 standard guitar scale fingerboards

BenWA
21-08-2015, 11:01 AM
More neck queries out of curiosity, whats the difference between the strat and tele spare necks you guys sell?

as far as i can tell from the specs given theyre identical (unless the strat one has a slightly larger headstock surface area so you can cut the larger style cbs headstock shape?)

also how come the spare necks you sell separately have 22 frets and the ones that come with the kits are 21?

do the 22s have a fretboard that slightly overlaps the heel on the neck?-i just answered this by looking at the picture, yes they do!

wokkaboy
21-08-2015, 11:06 AM
Hi Ben,
the only difference I can see is the shape of the heel is squarer on the tele and more rounded on the ST neck.
Also the fret numbers as you said

BenWA
21-08-2015, 11:08 AM
ahhhh yeah i can see that looking at my strat and tele next to me right now, haha i never even noticed, i just figured they were interchangable!

pablopepper
21-08-2015, 11:15 AM
Profile is different also. D on the tele, C on the strat.

wokkaboy
21-08-2015, 11:18 AM
ah good point Pabs, sure is bud

dingobass
21-08-2015, 01:44 PM
I present Tills Lindermann scale template.

Now to laminating a bunch of neck blanks.....

wokkaboy
21-08-2015, 02:09 PM
wow looks excellent DB, can't wait to see the first cut neck out of the mancave

Gavin1393
21-08-2015, 02:13 PM
wow looks excellent DB, can't wait to see the first cut neck out of the mancave

Hands off Wokka! :p

Gavin1393
21-08-2015, 02:15 PM
no worries DB, I was thinking about it on the wet ride to work and you won't need any overhang past the neck heel so yes I agree 570mm will be ample
Never question DB or he gets upset hahah

Or make the fretboard too long so that it covers the pickup... ;)

wokkaboy
21-08-2015, 02:15 PM
haha all good Gav the first neck is yours you baggsed it first !
No hurry for me I'll probably build a scratch body for the baritone unless I pick up a tele kit at the Sunday sale

dingobass
21-08-2015, 02:18 PM
About the Sunday sale.. Sorry Woks but you are banned from participating...

Bwahahahahaha! Just yankin ya chain :)

dingobass
21-08-2015, 02:19 PM
Or make the fretboard too long so that it covers the pickup... ;)

Or be a total smarty pants showoff and incorporate the overhang as a neck pup ring......

Gavin1393
21-08-2015, 02:21 PM
About the Sunday sale.. Sorry Woks but you are banned from participating...



I thought that was a given....

I've been in the finger gym practicing for the past 11 months just to compete with Wokka's flash fingers.

Gavin1393
21-08-2015, 02:24 PM
Or be a total smarty pants showoff and incorporate the overhang as a neck pup ring......

Now there's an idea.....but maybe for the next one. :)

wokkaboy
21-08-2015, 02:31 PM
haha don't have big expectations for the Sunday sale anyway, we'll wait and see.

that would be a cool idea DB incorporating the overhang with the neck pup ring, would depend on the neck height in the pocket

dingobass
21-08-2015, 04:12 PM
that would be a cool idea DB incorporating the overhang with the neck pup ring, would depend on the neck height in the pocket

I have a plan that will work ;)

wokkaboy
21-08-2015, 04:14 PM
DB always has a plan and a workaround !