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35" Long scale neck on a Febder Jazz body correct?

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by Lorenzop, Jul 19, 2013.

  1. Jul 19, 2013 #1
    Lorenzop

    Lorenzop

    Oct 23, 2012
    Berlin
    Hi
    If I want to build a long scale bass, will it suffice to replace the neck on a standard fender bass, or is theoretically also necessary to alter the body?

    I'm thinking of using a Warmoth replacement Geko neck on a fender 5 string jazz.

    Thanks
     
  2. Jul 19, 2013 #2
    MPU

    MPU

    Sep 21, 2004
    Valkeala Finland
    If the neck is made to match Fender neck pocket in width and length then it will work without moving the bridge.
     
  3. Jul 19, 2013 #3
    Lorenzop

    Lorenzop

    Oct 23, 2012
    Berlin
    Correct that: the Geko neck only fits Geko body.

    Still my question remains: sticking a long scale Jazz bass neck on a Jazz bass, is a long scale bass? Or should the body be modified accordingly for the pickup placement etc?

    Thanks
     
  4. Jul 19, 2013 #4
    Hopkins

    Hopkins Supporting Member Commercial User

    Nov 17, 2010
    Houston Tx
    Owner/Builder @Hopkins Guitars
    I wouldn't worry to much about pickup placement. The neck pocket is going to have to be redone to fit the heal of the neck. You also might need to move the bridge, so you need to measure if you have room to cut the pocket deeper, and still be able to mount the bridge at a 35" scale with out it hanging off the end of the body.
     
  5. Jul 19, 2013 #5
    Lorenzop

    Lorenzop

    Oct 23, 2012
    Berlin
    Thanks !
    I think I get it!
    In other words the extra inch has to be spread across the nut to bridge axis - so the bridge needs to move down half an inch, makes sense??
     
  6. Jul 19, 2013 #6
    Hopkins

    Hopkins Supporting Member Commercial User

    Nov 17, 2010
    Houston Tx
    Owner/Builder @Hopkins Guitars
    Well, If the neck was exactly one inc longer than the existing neck, then the bridge wouldn't have to move. But the Geko neck has an asymmetrical heal, so the neck pocket is going to have to be modified by cutting it further into the body, which is going to bring the neck closer to the bridge.

    So my main concern would be that their wouldn't be enough room to move the bridge back to compensate for the neck moving back and the extra scale length. May I ask why you want a 35" scale?
     
  7. Jul 19, 2013 #7
    Lo-E

    Lo-E

    Dec 19, 2009
    Brooklyn, NY
    If I'm not mistaken, USA Custom will make a 35" scale neck designed to work with a regular Fender-style body. Don't quote me on it, though... just call him up and ask. He's a nice guy.
    http://www.usacustomguitars.com/
     
  8. Jul 19, 2013 #8
    Hopkins

    Hopkins Supporting Member Commercial User

    Nov 17, 2010
    Houston Tx
    Owner/Builder @Hopkins Guitars
    This sounds like a much better option than the Gecko Neck
     
  9. Jul 20, 2013 #9
    Lorenzop

    Lorenzop

    Oct 23, 2012
    Berlin
    Yes I called them up apparently they do make it.

    Are their necks good?

    I find it's a pity nobody seems to make 3 or 5 piece laminate necks. That's why I was looking at gecko neck.
     
  10. Jul 20, 2013 #10
    Hopkins

    Hopkins Supporting Member Commercial User

    Nov 17, 2010
    Houston Tx
    Owner/Builder @Hopkins Guitars
    USACG is every bit as good as Warmoth.