Thanks for highlighting an issue which I never even considered the first 10+ years of my playing. I would highlight the SG as a guitar that plays a little further to the left, which I've always liked being a Strat guy - the Strat neck being further to the right as you pointed out, takes care of some scale length in terms of centering the instrument on the player, and the SG being further to the left makes it more comfortable to switch to the 24.75"
The first warmoth build I did was February 2015 and I named her Chloe, she’s a S type with a Gibson conversion neck that I still have and play regularly. I’ve thought about it a couple of times and some times I wish I had put a 25 1/2 scale on it because most of my guitars are that scale length but Chloe is the best playing guitar I have so I don’t regret it.
I never of such a thing but I just picked up my 1st. Les paul and feel like I cheated myself for years. I just picked up a Allen eden relic body and feel like I should have we t with warmthoth Do upon suggest les paul conversion kit? Luckily I didn't order any other parts yet. Thanks for your time.
Cool to hear you are a runner! Back in my triathlon days people asked me if I had cancer a lot... Nope, I just burn about a million calories a week!!! Great insight on the guitar / neck combos.
I love the conversion necks....already have two installed. After a while I discovered I really like a slightly shorter scale like on Gibsons / Epiphones / etc. One of your best products IMHO.
After playing Gibson scale conversion necks on my Teles for the past year, I’d hate to go back. It’s really changed the feel of bends, chords, and the overall lowered string tension allows these older hands to play longer without fatigue. I’m not trying to impress anyone at this point in my life, so I’m happy that it inspires me to play more. And for anyone wondering if it changes the tone of a Tele - short answer is that a Tele still sounds like a Tele...Plenty of spank and twang.
This was just the feedback I was looking for. I'm getting ready to order a tele from Warmoth as we speak, and like the feel of my LP neck (in terms of scale), and saw that I could get Gibson scale neck for my tele. I love the lower string tension on my strat that's tuned down a half step, but don't like the 25.5 scale. I've got the hands of a prepubescent girl, so that's a factor as well. I was initially concerned about the neck shape itself, but now that scale is an option, I'm wondering if that's not a good way to go for my tiny hands, and primary rhythm playing. Sounds like it's working out well for you. Nothing to prove with me either....just want to write in my home studio these days. And, I'm a drummer first and foremost. So, my fingers are strong...just small.
Honestly, in 30+ years of playing guitar and bass, I almost never notice differences in the physical location of the frets, or notes, between most scale lengths. The only exceptions to this are: 1) The 30" short scale basses, because I played 33",34,",35",and 36" (most often 34") for 20 years before I tried a 30" and I almost never play these basses. 2) multi-scale guitars with a radical disparity between high and low strings, like a 25" to 28" difference on a seven string, or if the perpendicular fret is not located somewhere near the midpoint if the scale length (like a few guitars I've seen lately with a standard bridge and all the frets increasingly tilting away from the bridge). Aside from these extreme examples, I feel at home on just about any scale length. Narrow fretboard width, due to large hands and long fingers, is a different story.
My Gibson conversion neck is awesome. Was my first Warmoth purchase. Loved it so much that I finally built a 7/8 S-Style (which is also Gibson scale), and it is the best guitar I own out of many. I also have a 7/8 T-Style, but as Arron notes in this video, it is quite neck heavy due to the strap geometry. I may get a Warmoth Mustang neck (24" scale) and try lightweight vintage tuners to see if I can get it in balance. You can't go wrong with the conversion necks. They sound identical to the stock 25.5 Fender necks, but are a lot more comfortable to play and super easy to adjust with the side truss nut.
Excellent information! I for one wouldn’t have even thought about how the fretboard location would be changed by the different body styles vs scale lengths!
You do you, Aaron! You are a great representative of the Warmoth brand, and some people gotta learn that everything that they think is not helpful to share.
Great insight! You guys have the longest scale length I've seen for baritone guitars. I'd love to see a 26.5 or 27 inch replacement neck offering, I'd be in for one immediately! Easier transition and easier to find a case that fits!
We've considered it. Unfortunately pretty much all R&D has been paused for the time being. Maybe in 2021 we'll get to start working on new products again....
Aaron, I read up on you. You are an interesting guy with a lot of accomplishments under your belt. I really admire you. It's clear you didn't fall into the partying way of life. You are an inspiration and your videos are always informative and bring a smile to my face. Keep up the good work and thank you for everything
You may be a tiny guy, Aaron. But most of all, you're a GOOD guy! I really appreciate this info, as I'm also a guy of smaller stature, albeit not as fit as you.
Thanks! The relationship between the shoulder strap button and the neck scale is something I haven't really considered. Btw, I am really exited about my first Warmoth Strat build! Being used to a PRS custom 24 with a 25", I think the Gibson conversion on a 22 fret neck with a Srat body could work for me. Also, the only proven method of prolonging life and slowing the aging process is caloric restriction so keep up the good work!
What ever Warmoth is paying you, you are worth ten times that amount, I learn so much for you, and you have become the face of this company, whatever growth they have experienced I can assure the board that you are directly responsible for it.
@@warmoth I love what you do, you do a supreme job of explaining the products without prejudice, you point out the good and the bad, and by doing that you build trust. I truly appreciate you, and directly because of you, I have confidence in Warmoth products.
That's what I love about your videos: Who would have thought that the body style would make ANY difference with a conversion neck, much less a LOT of difference? Endeavor to persevere and be well!
I cut my teeth on a tele but have come to find that I prefer the Gibson scale length so much more. I’ll add converting my tele to a 24” scale to my list of future mods, I can see how it would really help! Great video as always
My experience of reducing the scale is don't forget about string spacing ... a shorter scale will mean strings sit nearer to fretboard edges as they approach the body - assuming the same neck and nut width and bridge - so remember to consider a narrower string spaced bridge if it's something that might bother you.
I was wondering about that because I have a conversion neck on my Floyd rose strat body and coupled with looser strings due to shorter scale length, the strings have a tendency to slip off the fretboard especially when doing tapping and pulloffs on the E string. I think it has an R4 nut. Perhaps I should get an R3.
@@Taldaran personally I found a narrower nut helped a bit, and I swapped my bridge to a Gotoh narrow spacing model. The correct solution would be a Warmoth option for slightly wider fretboard at the heel.
I did the math (466mm*(1/(25.4*24.75") - 1/(25.4*25.5"))*(52mm-38mm)/2) and found that it would only move the outer strings 0.15mm towards the edge of the neck @ the 22nd fret (obviously, less at lower frets), all else being equal. This is less than the thickness of the high e string. Personally, my guitar currently has about 3.7mm of leeway between the string and the end of the fret, so I don't think the change would be noticeable.
I'm not sure whether that was the intention. All Fender offset bodies are ultimately derived from the Jazzmaster, which has a 25.5" scale and was designed to be played sitting down. The Jaguar is just a Jazzmaster modified with a Byrdland-type scale and the other offsets alternate between very short scales (the 22.5" Duo-Sonics) and long scales (the 25.5" Electric XII), all ultimately based on the Jazzmaster which was designed to be played sitting down.
Hey bro I have to say your videos are bursting with knowledge that no one else ever knows or shares with the gtr community. I was tele guy for 20-30 years but always ran into clean fretting of chords or any lead play at the lower frets and never really knew why and felt to embarrassed to ask I just figured I needed to work on my technique more. I also just came across your gold mine of food for the gtr man's soul. Thanks my friend and stay safe.
Been playing 2 Warmoth Strats with 24 3/4 conversion necks for years now. Love them, especially with a angled neck pocket & a Floyd Rose. Can tune 10s to standard pitch & they're super loose.
For me, the big deal is the conversion necks cured the arthritis like pain I had for years in the big joint of my index finger. I have average size hands; I buy medium gloves. The Fender scale puts a lot of lateral stress on the index finger at the nut end of the neck, especially when stretching to play Chuck Berry type rhythm, grabbing a lower note out of position, or three note per string scale form type reaches. It is a little more cramped at the upper end of the neck. There is less tension with the same gauge stings, which is good for bends, but the lower resistance to the pick reduces speed, at least for me. And I need as much going for me as I can get. A little less twang, but it's still a Tele, and Fender still makes amps.
Great advice. Few individuals or players have the access to all the different shapes, sizes and scale length instrument you do, so thank you for sharing and very much appreciated.
You just saved me from building a Bass VI conversion neck for an "unknown origin" tele body that ended up in my hands. Stupid me thought that the only issue would be neck dive.
These videos have been a big help. (all the comparisons, etc.) I plan on doing my first build later this year (been playing for 33 years) and the insights and guidance are incredibly helpful in getting me to think about what to consider and, just as important, what I shouldn't agonize over. Thank you so much for taking the time make these!
I am saving for a 24 3/4" Telecaster build. I like everything about a Telecaster except I prefer the shorter scale. This video sold me on the idea. Roasted maple conversion neck, big stainless steel frets, staggered (no string tree required) locking tuners, roasted pine body, best I can afford vintage(ish) style bridge but with one change, 6 individual saddles, best electronics money can buy and Lollar or Fralin low output vintage style pickups. The neck pickup will not be the muddy sound like the original ones had that were designed to sub for a bass guitar. I want something usable that sounds great there as well. Bone or tusq nut cut perfectly, and the best setup with the lowest action. Nut cut as low as possible and straight neck as possible with no fret buzz. Lowest possible action at bridge too. I create some fall away at the upper frets when fret leveling. (I have done this many times. Setup and fretwork/leveling and recrowning.) It's going to be awesome!
Not related to this but just wanted to suggest that you guys offer compound neck profiles like a C to D shape profile. Have one on an elite strat that is great except I want 24.75 scale length. I think a Lot of people would love that! I know I prefer that more than compound radius fretboard. But both is great! Can’t imagine it would take long to program that into the old Cnc
Excellent thoughts to keep in mind when I get my Warmoth short scale S style built (Just ordered a few days ago!). I love the comfort of the S style body and have owned several but never held on to one due to, I believe, the longer scale. We’ll see…
This is about the tangent, I personally love being a lean, 5 foot 7 guy. I'm much more nimble and can fit into smaller spaces. Plus electric guitars fit so well. They must've been made with smaller guys in mind haha Stevie Ray Vaughan was a 140lb, 5 foot 8 guy and he clearly didn't have any problem shredding haha
I use the control set up he has on that guitar and love it. Getting that damn volume knob out of the way. You can still reach the control and do swells, etc.
I'm an older player, and unfortunately, I have old guy disease in my hands. I play mostly acoustic stuff, and all my guitars were longer scale. I was really starting to have trouble stretching into some of the chords and positions I have played for years. So, I bought a short-scale Martin (000-28) and it was like magic. I really don't play anything else now. So, I bought your 7/8 T-style body, and a 7/8 Warhead neck to fit it (When I ordered, I didn't realize I could buy a conversion neck to fit a normal size body, but I'm pretty excited to try out the 7/8 tele anyway).
Hey Aaron nice to meet you. I'm most comfortable playing the guitar I cut my teeth on. A 72 Telecaster, I have a 82 Smith Strat. And a custom hardtail 78 Strat stuffed with Gibson PAF pickups, tone and volume knob and a 3-way switch. I'm thinking about building a guitar. Thank you for your counsel.
I have the 28-5/8 neck on a tele body. I can see your point for a lot of folks. I personally love the arrangement. Feels awesome, problem is I play it and track with it constantly, so when I pick up my 25-1/2 strat, (warmth neck to) it feels like a ukulele. Lol!
The conversion necks work great with Jazzcaster bodies, I've got three so far with two mounted on offset builds with fat fatback profiles, 1.650 nut widths with SS6100 frets, literally the comfiest necks I've ever played! The jazzmaster shape in general feels like its further away from you so the conversion neck just makes it feel a bit closer to play without the the feeling you're stretching yourself out
I have a Warmoth 24 3/4 conversion neck on a Strat shaped body and it works perfectly,no problems. Gonna get another Warmoth project going soon. I have 4 Warmoth guitars and they are the best.
Aaron it's funny that you mention where the guitar body hangs on a Strat style body. Back in the late 80's I began moving the strap button/locks from the horn to the middle of the neck plate on the back of the body (think SG placement).
I'm little guy too, but never was thinking that upper horn could be on the way with conversation 24,3\4 neck. Thanks a lot for sharing your point of view, it is very helpful for me. By the way, your demonstration and musician skills are so, so good. You are musically Bruce Lee.
I agree with you about baritone conversation necks. In general I don't love a baritone conversation neck because of how far the nut is from the bridge... If I were going to use one, id build a body just for it with a longer upper horn and a shorter rear end to bring the neck. That way the first register is closer to the strumming hand.
I just ordered a strat baritone conversion neck. Ive been designing my own neck specs on the warmoth website for a few years and it felt good to finally hit "order". I got a roasted maple neck with ebony fingerboard and SS jumbo frets. It will be going on an Olympic white mohogany hardtail strat body, also from warmoth. I think I'll set it up as either HSS or HH. Not sure yet. Can't wait to see the neck.
im considering buying a scale conversion neck for my strat and this highlighted a pretty important issue. Though I think it could be solved by playing the strat button behind the horn or in front, which sounds sacrilegious lol. But either the less that could help how far back the guitar sits and let me still have this scale length. I'm also a little guy and I like to stretch out my fingers to play cool licks, but man do my hands suffer. Sometimes I just cave in and tap the licks instead but i prefer being able to stretch and leave the taping to licks that need it.
That's really good info about the baritone. I always thought I'd do a tele if I built a baritone because Jimmy Page has one. I'll consider a strat if I ever do it.
Hey man! After this COVID lockdown/boredom, I watched a TON of your videos. Ended up ordering a roasted maple neck for my 93' MIM strat. Was everything I hoped it would be, and while the neck isn't 100% finished(ie final fret work), one of your videos covered that as well. Neck is as good or better fret wise than two new Fender Deluxe MIM's I just got. Once I get frets finally dressed and leveled this thing will take off. The roasted maple is soooo smooth!
You don't know smooth until you burnish that neck to 1500 grit but be careful because once you feel a burnished roasted neck all finished necks will feel ugly and you will want to sell them all.
One thing I've always prefered about 24 scale is the lower string tension, general greater playability. I also find it to be warmer than 25 scale. Just my personal experience. I used to have spatial memory that worked better for 25 scale but since I started playing 24 scale, Gibson style guitars I just got used to it. I find that when you pair a 24 scale with a hardtail/tuneomatic with bolt-on construction you combine the best of many worlds.
I think that a 27.5" or 28" neck would be killer. For some players 28.625" is too long. Maybe a 27.75" option for the future? that would be very nice and for tunning to B or even G, that scale might work very well. Nice vid!
Some really good info there. I can see your point physiologically speaking. I keep forgetting S Types are longer feeling bodies than T types. Again awesome content.
I prefer the Strat style bodies to help with balance. I've never found a telecaster or Les Paul that didn't have neck dive, which is very uncomfortable to me due to scoliosis and regular tendonitis flare ups. Unfortunately I like the sound of the latter two guitars more!
Aaron, spot on with the neck placement relative the upper strap pin on the the guitar body. This is probably why I can go from a Strat to a Les Paul with ease but need a few moments to recalibrate to an SG or one of those long-horn Petrucci guitars.
Great video, your points about guitar body style hanging position vs. neck length reach hadn't even occurred to me.... I would have had the same issues you pointed out. Also keep up that running as long as you can, I miss being able to run so much. One day it's here the next it's gone. Cheers brother.
Thanks man.....I am 54 and my knees are already barking at me pretty hard. I've had to cut my miles a lot this last year, and yes.....I really miss the long runs too!
Great video as always, Aaron! To answer your questions about preferences and "big guys", yep, I'm a big guy, 6'3" , and 290, but Gibson scale and Fender scale really have not been problems for me, and in 44 years of playing, I have owned many Les Pauls and Strats. I like them both, my saying is; "render unto Gibson what is Gibson, and render unto Fender what is Fender". But you know what? For some damned reason, any time I have ever played a Firebird, the headstock just seems "way out there" even though the scale is regular Gibson 24 3/4", and it's one reason I have never been fond of them. So, I see what you mean about how body contours and scale length can either compliment, or counteract each other. By the way, my Roasted Maple Strat neck and Roasted Swamp Ash Strat body have shipped, this big guy is doing backflips in anticipation! :) :)
This is literally the video I wanted! I was looking at the shorter scale necks for a Strat and was curious about muscle memory. Super helpful. Based on experience, I agree that a Baritone neck on an S shape body is the way to go.
Hey Aaron, you ought to reposition the strap button on your S-type to *behind* the horn. Been doing it for at least 30 years. Works better, looks better.
I switch from an SG to a Strat to a Les Paul to an Acoustic. And I'm building two teles (one is a Warmoth copy of my long lost 71 Thinline) so I'd just say......ADJUST. The guitar that really gave me that problem was a 68 CBS Bronco.
This is awesome. That also explains a lot for me. I have a jazzcaster with a baritone neck and dude.... It is a WAY out there. I would love to see a video about all the different headstocks!
Learned something today. Baritone neck and a T-style body is something I may want to try now that you demo'd it. Thanks man! Keep running! I used to run a lot more, but now I've begun training for a half in October... Assuming it happens. Anyway, it not, I'll run the lake near me. Take care!
I went from 235 lbs at 6'2" to about 200 lbs and I get nothing but negative comments or people asking me if I'm sick LOL. I think people just want other people to be fat or overweight in general. It's so strange. 200 lbs at 6'2 is considered overweight by the BMI chart, (which I don't really buy), yet people still concerned about my weight. It's a strange world.
As long as you are healthy, happy and sharing knowledge: we will support you. Thank you for these videos!
Recently purchased a replacement Strat neck from Warmoth. One of the best purchases I ever made! These folks do great work!
Thanks for highlighting an issue which I never even considered the first 10+ years of my playing. I would highlight the SG as a guitar that plays a little further to the left, which I've always liked being a Strat guy - the Strat neck being further to the right as you pointed out, takes care of some scale length in terms of centering the instrument on the player, and the SG being further to the left makes it more comfortable to switch to the 24.75"
The first warmoth build I did was February 2015 and I named her Chloe, she’s a S type with a Gibson conversion neck that I still have and play regularly. I’ve thought about it a couple of times and some times I wish I had put a 25 1/2 scale on it because most of my guitars are that scale length but Chloe is the best playing guitar I have so I don’t regret it.
I never of such a thing but I just picked up my 1st. Les paul and feel like I cheated myself for years. I just picked up a Allen eden relic body and feel like I should have we t with warmthoth Do upon suggest les paul conversion kit? Luckily I didn't order any other parts yet. Thanks for your time.
Cool to hear you are a runner! Back in my triathlon days people asked me if I had cancer a lot... Nope, I just burn about a million calories a week!!! Great insight on the guitar / neck combos.
The loneliness of the long distance Aaron 😳
I was considering swapping necks for shorter scale. This was super helpful as always.
I love the conversion necks....already have two installed. After a while I discovered I really like a slightly shorter scale like on Gibsons / Epiphones / etc. One of your best products IMHO.
After playing Gibson scale conversion necks on my Teles for the past year, I’d hate to go back. It’s really changed the feel of bends, chords, and the overall lowered string tension allows these older hands to play longer without fatigue. I’m not trying to impress anyone at this point in my life, so I’m happy that it inspires me to play more. And for anyone wondering if it changes the tone of a Tele - short answer is that a Tele still sounds like a Tele...Plenty of spank and twang.
This was just the feedback I was looking for. I'm getting ready to order a tele from Warmoth as we speak, and like the feel of my LP neck (in terms of scale), and saw that I could get Gibson scale neck for my tele. I love the lower string tension on my strat that's tuned down a half step, but don't like the 25.5 scale. I've got the hands of a prepubescent girl, so that's a factor as well. I was initially concerned about the neck shape itself, but now that scale is an option, I'm wondering if that's not a good way to go for my tiny hands, and primary rhythm playing. Sounds like it's working out well for you. Nothing to prove with me either....just want to write in my home studio these days. And, I'm a drummer first and foremost. So, my fingers are strong...just small.
Did you have to move the bridge piece to get the correct intonation when going from 25.5 to 24.75 ? Thanks !
I'm so happy when I see these videos in my feed. Thanks for you hard work, sir!
Honestly, in 30+ years of playing guitar and bass, I almost never notice differences in the physical location of the frets, or notes, between most scale lengths. The only exceptions to this are: 1) The 30" short scale basses, because I played 33",34,",35",and 36" (most often 34") for 20 years before I tried a 30" and I almost never play these basses. 2) multi-scale guitars with a radical disparity between high and low strings, like a 25" to 28" difference on a seven string, or if the perpendicular fret is not located somewhere near the midpoint if the scale length (like a few guitars I've seen lately with a standard bridge and all the frets increasingly tilting away from the bridge). Aside from these extreme examples, I feel at home on just about any scale length. Narrow fretboard width, due to large hands and long fingers, is a different story.
My Gibson conversion neck is awesome. Was my first Warmoth purchase. Loved it so much that I finally built a 7/8 S-Style (which is also Gibson scale), and it is the best guitar I own out of many. I also have a 7/8 T-Style, but as Arron notes in this video, it is quite neck heavy due to the strap geometry. I may get a Warmoth Mustang neck (24" scale) and try lightweight vintage tuners to see if I can get it in balance. You can't go wrong with the conversion necks. They sound identical to the stock 25.5 Fender necks, but are a lot more comfortable to play and super easy to adjust with the side truss nut.
Excellent information! I for one wouldn’t have even thought about how the fretboard location would be changed by the different body styles vs scale lengths!
You do you, Aaron! You are a great representative of the Warmoth brand, and some people gotta learn that everything that they think is not helpful to share.
Great insight! You guys have the longest scale length I've seen for baritone guitars. I'd love to see a 26.5 or 27 inch replacement neck offering, I'd be in for one immediately! Easier transition and easier to find a case that fits!
We've considered it. Unfortunately pretty much all R&D has been paused for the time being. Maybe in 2021 we'll get to start working on new products again....
@@warmoth Please please please always offer 1 3/4" nut, and Vintage Modern if you can!!
Aaron, I read up on you. You are an interesting guy with a lot of accomplishments under your belt. I really admire you. It's clear you didn't fall into the partying way of life. You are an inspiration and your videos are always informative and bring a smile to my face. Keep up the good work and thank you for everything
Wow....thanks!
But how does he have accomplishments under his belt if he doesn’t party?
Are all conversions necks 24.75" that can be ready to dropped in strat ? @@warmoth
You may be a tiny guy, Aaron. But most of all, you're a GOOD guy!
I really appreciate this info, as I'm also a guy of smaller stature, albeit not as fit as you.
Good info on the strap/horn theory. Never thought about it like that.
Love that yellow strat hanging on the wall. White binding on the fingerboard always makes the fingerboard look wider for some reason. Very cool!
Wow. That strat with the clean line and clear back is beautiful.
Thanks! The relationship between the shoulder strap button and the neck scale is something I haven't really considered. Btw, I am really exited about my first Warmoth Strat build! Being used to a PRS custom 24 with a 25", I think the Gibson conversion on a 22 fret neck with a Srat body could work for me. Also, the only proven method of prolonging life and slowing the aging process is caloric restriction so keep up the good work!
What ever Warmoth is paying you, you are worth ten times that amount, I learn so much for you, and you have become the face of this company, whatever growth they have experienced I can assure the board that you are directly responsible for it.
Wow...thanks man! The execs don't always read the CZcams comments, so be sure to email them directly! LOL! :D
@@warmoth I love what you do, you do a supreme job of explaining the products without prejudice, you point out the good and the bad, and by doing that you build trust. I truly appreciate you, and directly because of you, I have confidence in Warmoth products.
That's what I love about your videos: Who would have thought that the body style would make ANY difference with a conversion neck, much less a LOT of difference? Endeavor to persevere and be well!
I cut my teeth on a tele but have come to find that I prefer the Gibson scale length so much more. I’ll add converting my tele to a 24” scale to my list of future mods, I can see how it would really help! Great video as always
You brought up things I never thought of. Thank you so much.
My experience of reducing the scale is don't forget about string spacing ... a shorter scale will mean strings sit nearer to fretboard edges as they approach the body - assuming the same neck and nut width and bridge - so remember to consider a narrower string spaced bridge if it's something that might bother you.
I was wondering about that because I have a conversion neck on my Floyd rose strat body and coupled with looser strings due to shorter scale length, the strings have a tendency to slip off the fretboard especially when doing tapping and pulloffs on the E string. I think it has an R4 nut. Perhaps I should get an R3.
@@Taldaran personally I found a narrower nut helped a bit, and I swapped my bridge to a Gotoh narrow spacing model. The correct solution would be a Warmoth option for slightly wider fretboard at the heel.
Thanks I'm research building a Strat with a Gibson conversion neck and the narrow bridge issue is something I have not considered.
I did the math (466mm*(1/(25.4*24.75") - 1/(25.4*25.5"))*(52mm-38mm)/2) and found that it would only move the outer strings 0.15mm towards the edge of the neck @ the 22nd fret (obviously, less at lower frets), all else being equal. This is less than the thickness of the high e string. Personally, my guitar currently has about 3.7mm of leeway between the string and the end of the fret, so I don't think the change would be noticeable.
That's why Fender's 24'' guitars have those offset-type bodies, to push everything towards your left hand.
I'm not sure whether that was the intention. All Fender offset bodies are ultimately derived from the Jazzmaster, which has a 25.5" scale and was designed to be played sitting down. The Jaguar is just a Jazzmaster modified with a Byrdland-type scale and the other offsets alternate between very short scales (the 22.5" Duo-Sonics) and long scales (the 25.5" Electric XII), all ultimately based on the Jazzmaster which was designed to be played sitting down.
I just appreciate any mentioning of King's X personnel.
You haven't been properly hugged until you've been hugged by Dug. Those long, long arms are dreamy. Coolest guy ever!
Hey bro I have to say your videos are bursting with knowledge that no one else ever knows or shares with the gtr community. I was tele guy for 20-30 years but always ran into clean fretting of chords or any lead play at the lower frets and never really knew why and felt to embarrassed to ask I just figured I needed to work on my technique more. I also just came across your gold mine of food for the gtr man's soul. Thanks my friend and stay safe.
That’s actually really well thought out! I never thought about that before. Definitely another variable to consider, for sure.
Been playing 2 Warmoth Strats with 24 3/4 conversion necks for years now. Love them, especially with a angled neck pocket & a Floyd Rose. Can tune 10s to standard pitch & they're super loose.
Just got my 2 conversion necks, delighted and my favourite part was the packing peanuts made of corn flour that dissolve in water. Go Eco Punk 🤘
For me, the big deal is the conversion necks cured the arthritis like pain I had for years in the big joint of my index finger. I have average size hands; I buy medium gloves. The Fender scale puts a lot of lateral stress on the index finger at the nut end of the neck, especially when stretching to play Chuck Berry type rhythm, grabbing a lower note out of position, or three note per string scale form type reaches. It is a little more cramped at the upper end of the neck. There is less tension with the same gauge stings, which is good for bends, but the lower resistance to the pick reduces speed, at least for me. And I need as much going for me as I can get. A little less twang, but it's still a Tele, and Fender still makes amps.
I have that same pain....every morning i wake up and hope it went away. But its been many years
Great advice. Few individuals or players have the access to all the different shapes, sizes and scale length instrument you do, so thank you for sharing and very much appreciated.
You just saved me from building a Bass VI conversion neck for an "unknown origin" tele body that ended up in my hands.
Stupid me thought that the only issue would be neck dive.
These videos have been a big help. (all the comparisons, etc.) I plan on doing my first build later this year (been playing for 33 years) and the insights and guidance are incredibly helpful in getting me to think about what to consider and, just as important, what I shouldn't agonize over. Thank you so much for taking the time make these!
I am saving for a 24 3/4" Telecaster build. I like everything about a Telecaster except I prefer the shorter scale. This video sold me on the idea. Roasted maple conversion neck, big stainless steel frets, staggered (no string tree required) locking tuners, roasted pine body, best I can afford vintage(ish) style bridge but with one change, 6 individual saddles, best electronics money can buy and Lollar or Fralin low output vintage style pickups. The neck pickup will not be the muddy sound like the original ones had that were designed to sub for a bass guitar. I want something usable that sounds great there as well. Bone or tusq nut cut perfectly, and the best setup with the lowest action. Nut cut as low as possible and straight neck as possible with no fret buzz. Lowest possible action at bridge too. I create some fall away at the upper frets when fret leveling. (I have done this many times. Setup and fretwork/leveling and recrowning.) It's going to be awesome!
Those guitars look awesome. Love the tops on them, especially that S-body guitar.
Cool finish, isn't it! It's called Northern Lights.
@@warmoth Nice, even the name is cool. If I can save up enough to get one of your soloist guitars, that's the finish I'm going with!
Not related to this but just wanted to suggest that you guys offer compound neck profiles like a C to D shape profile. Have one on an elite strat that is great except I want 24.75 scale length.
I think a Lot of people would love that! I know I prefer that more than compound radius fretboard. But both is great!
Can’t imagine it would take long to program that into the old Cnc
Very good points, the stuff you don't think about until you play it.
That note about the upper horn is why I always felt like Strats had a shorter scale anyway. It FEELS shorter, even though it's not.
Exactly!
Your videos have made up my mind to order warmoth parts to build my dream guitar. Thanks Aaron.
Excellent thoughts to keep in mind when I get my Warmoth short scale S style built (Just ordered a few days ago!).
I love the comfort of the S style body and have owned several but never held on to one due to, I believe, the longer scale.
We’ll see…
my first ever custom warmoth neck and body come in tomorrow and i can’t contain my excitement
Thats really dope bro, hope you enjoy it :D
This is about the tangent, I personally love being a lean, 5 foot 7 guy. I'm much more nimble and can fit into smaller spaces.
Plus electric guitars fit so well. They must've been made with smaller guys in mind haha
Stevie Ray Vaughan was a 140lb, 5 foot 8 guy and he clearly didn't have any problem shredding haha
I use the control set up he has on that guitar and love it. Getting that damn volume knob out of the way. You can still reach the control and do swells, etc.
I'm an older player, and unfortunately, I have old guy disease in my hands. I play mostly acoustic stuff, and all my guitars were longer scale. I was really starting to have trouble stretching into some of the chords and positions I have played for years. So, I bought a short-scale Martin (000-28) and it was like magic. I really don't play anything else now. So, I bought your 7/8 T-style body, and a 7/8 Warhead neck to fit it (When I ordered, I didn't realize I could buy a conversion neck to fit a normal size body, but I'm pretty excited to try out the 7/8 tele anyway).
Hey Aaron nice to meet you.
I'm most comfortable playing the guitar I cut my teeth on.
A 72 Telecaster, I have a 82 Smith Strat. And a custom hardtail 78 Strat stuffed with Gibson PAF pickups, tone and volume knob and a 3-way switch. I'm thinking about building a guitar.
Thank you for your counsel.
I'm happy to hear that you are in a very good shape, Aaron! keep on sharing your knowledge! Rock n roll 🤘🏿🤘🏿
good stuff. after strapping my S and T styles on, i am now going for a Gib Conv on the tele instead.
I have the 28-5/8 neck on a tele body. I can see your point for a lot of folks. I personally love the arrangement. Feels awesome, problem is I play it and track with it constantly, so when I pick up my 25-1/2 strat, (warmth neck to) it feels like a ukulele. Lol!
Chad Houser same!
never thought about how the body shape would impact the length feel. It totally makes sense!
Long distance runner Bruce Lee! Haha! Love the sound of that baritone
Can you do a video on hand size and choosing a neck
You' ve got a laaaarge right about the distances!!! It's got to fit to your body...mbravo my friend!!
My wrist loves Gibson scale lengths but my fingers love a nice and wide 1 3/4 nut width. Such is life.
Love the Bruce Lee line. And you gave great insight into body style, ergonomics and scale lengths. Thank you.
Love the humbuckers. Currently putting a PAF in my strat neck position.
You are one of the nicest, most intelligent people in the guitar world. Keep sharing your wisdom with us! Thanks man, Be Safe!
The conversion necks work great with Jazzcaster bodies, I've got three so far with two mounted on offset builds with fat fatback profiles, 1.650 nut widths with SS6100 frets, literally the comfiest necks I've ever played! The jazzmaster shape in general feels like its further away from you so the conversion neck just makes it feel a bit closer to play without the the feeling you're stretching yourself out
I have a Warmoth 24 3/4 conversion neck on a Strat shaped body and it works perfectly,no problems. Gonna get another Warmoth project going soon. I have 4 Warmoth guitars and they are the best.
Hi Eric,
Great article on these type of necks. Keep up the Good work!!
opps, I meant Aaron
Got the baritone neck and I love it! Helped turn my strat into a metal machine
Glad to see you again on the Warmoth HQ, i'm so much happy and hyped for ordering a new body and neck build... Good luck Aaron, and cheers from Peru
Theory seems sound. Thanks for the data.👍
Aaron it's funny that you mention where the guitar body hangs on a Strat style body. Back in the late 80's I began moving the strap button/locks from the horn to the middle of the neck plate on the back of the body (think SG placement).
I'm little guy too, but never was thinking that upper horn could be on the way with conversation 24,3\4 neck. Thanks a lot for sharing your point of view, it is very helpful for me. By the way, your demonstration and musician skills are so, so good. You are musically Bruce Lee.
Thanks for those insights! Makes so much sense!!! Really enjoy this channel.
I agree with you about baritone conversation necks. In general I don't love a baritone conversation neck because of how far the nut is from the bridge... If I were going to use one, id build a body just for it with a longer upper horn and a shorter rear end to bring the neck. That way the first register is closer to the strumming hand.
Nice, great real life info... thank you again. Sincerely, Pops
I just ordered a strat baritone conversion neck. Ive been designing my own neck specs on the warmoth website for a few years and it felt good to finally hit "order". I got a roasted maple neck with ebony fingerboard and SS jumbo frets. It will be going on an Olympic white mohogany hardtail strat body, also from warmoth. I think I'll set it up as either HSS or HH. Not sure yet. Can't wait to see the neck.
Thanks For Great Video
im considering buying a scale conversion neck for my strat and this highlighted a pretty important issue. Though I think it could be solved by playing the strat button behind the horn or in front, which sounds sacrilegious lol. But either the less that could help how far back the guitar sits and let me still have this scale length. I'm also a little guy and I like to stretch out my fingers to play cool licks, but man do my hands suffer. Sometimes I just cave in and tap the licks instead but i prefer being able to stretch and leave the taping to licks that need it.
That's really good info about the baritone. I always thought I'd do a tele if I built a baritone because Jimmy Page has one. I'll consider a strat if I ever do it.
Absolutely great info. Never thought about that.
Hey man! After this COVID lockdown/boredom, I watched a TON of your videos. Ended up ordering a roasted maple neck for my 93' MIM strat. Was everything I hoped it would be, and while the neck isn't 100% finished(ie final fret work), one of your videos covered that as well. Neck is as good or better fret wise than two new Fender Deluxe MIM's I just got. Once I get frets finally dressed and leveled this thing will take off. The roasted maple is soooo smooth!
You don't know smooth until you burnish that neck to 1500 grit but be careful because once you feel a burnished roasted neck all finished necks will feel ugly and you will want to sell them all.
One thing I've always prefered about 24 scale is the lower string tension, general greater playability. I also find it to be warmer than 25 scale. Just my personal experience. I used to have spatial memory that worked better for 25 scale but since I started playing 24 scale, Gibson style guitars I just got used to it. I find that when you pair a 24 scale with a hardtail/tuneomatic with bolt-on construction you combine the best of many worlds.
I think that a 27.5" or 28" neck would be killer. For some players 28.625" is too long. Maybe a 27.75" option for the future? that would be very nice and for tunning to B or even G, that scale might work very well. Nice vid!
I love these videos. Always very informative and entertaining
Some really good info there. I can see your point physiologically speaking. I keep forgetting S Types are longer feeling bodies than T types. Again awesome content.
I prefer the Strat style bodies to help with balance. I've never found a telecaster or Les Paul that didn't have neck dive, which is very uncomfortable to me due to scoliosis and regular tendonitis flare ups. Unfortunately I like the sound of the latter two guitars more!
Aaron, spot on with the neck placement relative the upper strap pin on the the guitar body. This is probably why I can go from a Strat to a Les Paul with ease but need a few moments to recalibrate to an SG or one of those long-horn Petrucci guitars.
Exactly!
Great video, your points about guitar body style hanging position vs. neck length reach hadn't even occurred to me.... I would have had the same issues you pointed out. Also keep up that running as long as you can, I miss being able to run so much. One day it's here the next it's gone. Cheers brother.
Thanks man.....I am 54 and my knees are already barking at me pretty hard. I've had to cut my miles a lot this last year, and yes.....I really miss the long runs too!
Thanks these videos are great!
Awesome video
Great video as always, Aaron! To answer your questions about preferences and "big guys", yep, I'm a big guy, 6'3" , and 290, but Gibson scale and Fender scale really have not been problems for me, and in 44 years of playing, I have owned many Les Pauls and Strats. I like them both, my saying is; "render unto Gibson what is Gibson, and render unto Fender what is Fender". But you know what? For some damned reason, any time I have ever played a Firebird, the headstock just seems "way out there" even though the scale is regular Gibson 24 3/4", and it's one reason I have never been fond of them. So, I see what you mean about how body contours and scale length can either compliment, or counteract each other. By the way, my Roasted Maple Strat neck and Roasted Swamp Ash Strat body have shipped, this big guy is doing backflips in anticipation! :) :)
This is literally the video I wanted! I was looking at the shorter scale necks for a Strat and was curious about muscle memory. Super helpful. Based on experience, I agree that a Baritone neck on an S shape body is the way to go.
Another excellent vid, Aaron!
Good food for thought. Thanks man 🤘🏼
This is a great video. The guitar in the video is amazing.
Hey Aaron, you ought to reposition the strap button on your S-type to *behind* the horn. Been doing it for at least 30 years. Works better, looks better.
You should upload a pic....I'd like to see exactly how and where you put the button.
I switch from an SG to a Strat to a Les Paul to an Acoustic. And I'm building two teles (one is a Warmoth copy of my long lost 71 Thinline) so I'd just say......ADJUST. The guitar that really gave me that problem was a 68 CBS Bronco.
This is awesome. That also explains a lot for me. I have a jazzcaster with a baritone neck and dude.... It is a WAY out there.
I would love to see a video about all the different headstocks!
Learned something today. Baritone neck and a T-style body is something I may want to try now that you demo'd it. Thanks man! Keep running! I used to run a lot more, but now I've begun training for a half in October... Assuming it happens. Anyway, it not, I'll run the lake near me. Take care!
Yep....all the races I was scheduled to run this year have been cancelled. Not to mention all the gigs I had booked. Yeesh.
Keep getting outside and make sure your vitamin d levels are up! We'll all be running soon.
Stop reading the comments. Your look fine love the channel.
Clicked for the content, stayed for the tangents!
Would love a conversion neck for a modern Jackson JS. There are a lot of JS out there at 25.5 that would be a better guitar at 24.75.
I went from 235 lbs at 6'2" to about 200 lbs and I get nothing but negative comments or people asking me if I'm sick LOL. I think people just want other people to be fat or overweight in general. It's so strange. 200 lbs at 6'2 is considered overweight by the BMI chart, (which I don't really buy), yet people still concerned about my weight. It's a strange world.
Indeed it is! :)
You guys should really do a 26.5 or 27 inch conversion. It would sell spectacularly with metal guys
Awesome 👍
Some great tip's I wouldn't have thought up my self. Thanks 😝🤘