Guitar to Baritone Conversion

[grungeman55]

Hey guys, I have a crappy guitar I never use but I cannot sell it so i want to turn it into a baritone/ 6 sting bass similar to what fender has.
Typically baritones are 28" and the bass 6's are 30". Instead of buying a new neck to up the scale length I was thinking of removing the old bridge and adding one further back on the body. I measured and at max I can get the strings to be at 29", would that work trying to make it a bass 6 tuned E to E?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Guitar to Baritone Conversion

Only if you also defret the fingerboard.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Guitar to Baritone Conversion

Nope. Changing scale length also requires changing fret spacing.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Guitar to Baritone Conversion

Exactly as Itsa put it. The fret spacing has to be pretty exactly set up for the scale length or the intonation will be way off all over the fret board.

If you're a good enough woodworker and a mathematician, you can make your own neck with whatever scale length you want, and calculate the fret spacing. It's a lot of work though, and would probably be more costly and time consuming than just saving up for an actual baritone. Just appreciate a crappy guitar for what it is, and have fun with it.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Guitar to Baritone Conversion

...though you can get baritone conversion necks for it, if the guitar has a standard Fender scale and neck joint.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Guitar to Baritone Conversion

If the guitar is currently a 25.5" scale guitar you can just buy a baritone conversion neck from Warmoth. Moving the bridge back will not work.

 

[grungeman55]

Re: Guitar to Baritone Conversion

Thanks for the help guys! I appreciate the feedback & info!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Guitar to Baritone Conversion

One thing that would get you into the Baritone note range without major modification to the guitar is to adopt the Robert Fripp New Standard Tuning. (CGDAEG. String gauges 10-58ish.)

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Guitar to Baritone Conversion

One thing that would get you into the Baritone note range without major modification to the guitar is to adopt the Robert Fripp New Standard Tuning. (CGDAEG. String gauges 10-58ish.)

At that point, he could throw a set of 12-54's and just tune B-b.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Guitar to Baritone Conversion

Both suggestions would involve truss rod tweaks and, in all probability, the cutting of a new, taller nut.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Guitar to Baritone Conversion

I put a Warmoth Baritone Conversion neck on a compatible body some years ago. Worked like a charm, and the fret spacing was comfortable.