Building a Frankenstein

[Possum Willy]

Got a wild hair, you know where, great start for a song.
Anywho, plenty of confusing info on what type of guitar has more strain on the neck owing to the strings. Logically, it should be the 6 string Guitar, more strings than a 4 or 5 string Bass. So, my question is:

If I'm building a 5 string Bass into a 5 string Baritone or a 5 string "standard tuning" guitar, do I need a 6 string Truss Rod to keep the neck under control?

Why am I building said Frankenstein?
1) more space between the strings, predominantly. My friend has fat fingers.
2) guitar being used is an Ibanez 5 string bass, 28.6 inch scale.
a) Perfect length for either Standard Guitar tuning or Baritone
3) I happen to have one for this experiment.

Luthiers only need reply.
Thanks!

 

[Slidlow]

You should be fine with a 28.6 inch scale.

 

[Possum Willy]

You should be fine with a 28.6 inch scale.

Thanks, I thought so too, but, then the neck twisted up as I brought the strings to tension.

 

[Slidlow]

Did you try for a standard guitar tuning? The tension for that at 25" would be significantly higher at 28.6". A six string rod isn't really different then a 5 string rod. If you need more then a second truss rod may be in order.

 

[mikewalker]

Tension is somewhat a function of the string's mass - do 4 bass strings weigh more than six guitar strings?

 

[Possum Willy]

Did you try for a standard guitar tuning? The tension for that at 25" would be significantly higher at 28.6". A six string rod isn't really different then a 5 string rod. If you need more then a second truss rod may be in order.

Thanks, I'll try a few other things, like the Baritone tuning and see how that works out.
If not, I'll add a second truss rod.

 

[Possum Willy]

Tension is somewhat a function of the string's mass - do 4 bass strings weigh more than six guitar strings?

Quite a bit more, which was why I was hoping this would work.
Experimentation is always fun, until it isn't LOL

 

[ardgedee]

Use a string tension calculator to figure out what you'll be subjecting your project to. This is one I've found that lets you totally freeform the scale length, string count and tuning: The McDonald Patent Universal String Tension Calculator. The layout is a little awkward but it's pretty straightforward: Enter the scale (including unit system: using "in" calculates tension in pounds, "cm" calculates in kilograms), enter each string gauge, type, and tuned note; it will calculate the tension per string and the total.

Obviously it won't be spot-on because strings vary too much, but you should get a decent ballpark estimate.

 

[Possum Willy]

Use a string tension calculator to figure out what you'll be subjecting your project to. This is one I've found that lets you totally freeform the scale length, string count and tuning: The McDonald Patent Universal String Tension Calculator. The layout is a little awkward but it's pretty straightforward: Enter the scale (including unit system: using "in" calculates tension in pounds, "cm" calculates in kilograms), enter each string gauge, type, and tuned note; it will calculate the tension per string and the total.

Obviously it won't be spot-on because strings vary too much, but you should get a decent ballpark estimate.

Thanks, a very useful tool!

 

[Possum Willy]

Got a wild hair, you know where, great start for a song.
Anywho, plenty of confusing info on what type of guitar has more strain on the neck owing to the strings. Logically, it should be the 6 string Guitar, more strings than a 4 or 5 string Bass. So, my question is:

If I'm building a 5 string Bass into a 5 string Baritone or a 5 string "standard tuning" guitar, do I need a 6 string Truss Rod to keep the neck under control?

Why am I building said Frankenstein?
1) more space between the strings, predominantly. My friend has fat fingers.
2) guitar being used is an Ibanez 5 string bass, 28.6 inch scale.
a) Perfect length for either Standard Guitar tuning or Baritone
3) I happen to have one for this experiment.

Luthiers only need reply.
Thanks!

Got a wild hair, you know where, great start for a song.
Anywho, plenty of confusing info on what type of guitar has more strain on the neck owing to the strings. Logically, it should be the 6 string Guitar, more strings than a 4 or 5 string Bass. So, my question is:

If I'm building a 5 string Bass into a 5 string Baritone or a 5 string "standard tuning" guitar, do I need a 6 string Truss Rod to keep the neck under control?

Why am I building said Frankenstein?
1) more space between the strings, predominantly. My friend has fat fingers.
2) guitar being used is an Ibanez 5 string bass, 28.6 inch scale.
a) Perfect length for either Standard Guitar tuning or Baritone
3) I happen to have one for this experiment.

Luthiers only need reply.
Thanks!

Hey, wanted to say a big THANKS for those who gave input on my project.
Took me a bit to finally get everything figured out, owing to too many projects, but my Frankenstein is finished.
It absolutely worked once I found the correct set of strings and adjusted the neck truss properly.
Even the EMG pickups cover the spectrum very nicely.
Again, thank you for your input and positive words!
Possum Willy

 

[ardgedee]

Hey, wanted to say a big THANKS for those who gave input on my project.
Took me a bit to finally get everything figured out, owing to too many projects, but my Frankenstein is finished.
It absolutely worked once I found the correct set of strings and adjusted the neck truss properly.
Even the EMG pickups cover the spectrum very nicely.
Again, thank you for your input and positive words!
Possum Willy

Congrats! I hope you can post pictures!

 

[Possum Willy]

Congrats! I hope you can post pictures!

Yeah, I can do that, didn't even think of it. LOL Thanks for reminding me!

 

[Possum Willy]