Double Neck Guitar/5-string-Bass?

[TheMarkSide]

Look on guitar Gardens, if I remember correctly, they have a bass with the six string SG

This is a good option, but it's a 4-string bass. I was hoping for a 5. Others on here have commented that I could go with something like this, but tune the bass BEAD, but this isn't my ideal option. Some cool things on that site though and I'd never heard of it before, so thanks for the suggestion!

 

[TheMarkSide]

What is common solution is a 7 string bass.. think conklin gt-7 or bdgt7

it's like a BEAD bass + tenor guitar on one neck

This is a good thought and is definitely making me consider other options.

However, I'm not sure this would work because I would still want to be able to play full chords on the "guitar side", or neck if it were a double. I suppose I could do a 7-string bass, but tune it like a 7-string guitar with the top 2 stings being B and E. Then all chords I would play would just need to be bar chords played up an octave and routed through guitar effects, instead of bass. This would open up lower tunings for the guitar parts as well. Overall, the only downsides I see here is that it may be really tough to play 6-string chords on the much heavier bass strings, I may have to capo in some instances, the "guitar tone" won't be quite right because of pickups placement/electronics/heavier strings/etc..

However, this did get me thinking that maybe I could go with something like an 12 string guitar instead and then put bass strings on the bottom 5 strings and tune them like a bass. The issue here would likely be string spacing haha, so less than ideal.

 

[TheMarkSide]

Well, the top strings would be a new tuning the OP would have to learn to navigate. There's something to be said for familiarity (as in, tuning and specs - scale length, string spacing at both ends, neck shape - of a traditional guitar neck), when one has to jump to and from roles onstage.

That being said, I've always thought an 8-string guitar/bass, tuned EAdgcfad, with a partial capo on the topmost six strings at the 2nd fret, could effectively be the ultimate both-in-one.
String spacing could be ever so slightly wider (than guitar standard) between the lowest capoed pair, and gradually more so from that point bassward.
Choice of scale would be tricky - I'd choose 30" overall, so that the "guitar" part is at 27". Well, either that or multiscale. The new Ibanez SRC6MS, if its neck were wide enough to serve as a platform (it isn't), would put the high E right at around 25.5", as Antonio de Torres intended (not coincidentally, double the length of a Stradivari violin).

The above is pointless reverie at this stage, and not directly applicable to the OP, who needs a low B.
(Heh, look: daydreaming poet and I didn't know it.)

Good sentiments all around with this. This idea is an interesting one for sure and not something I'd previously considered. I see that Ibanez makes a 9-string guitar (thanks Djent fans/players!), so maybe this could work. Hahaha, it does seem a little ridiculous to down-tune a 9-string haha, but the good news is that down 1 whole step would achieve the tuning you have above (+low B).... very interesting. Probably the only downside would be string spacing, so I'd have to get used to "playing bass" on guitar spaced strings. I'm sure that 9-string necks would be WIDE, but I have big hands, so this should be fine.

 

[TheMarkSide]

You're gonna need the drum pack that straps to your back with the foot pedal as well.

my solution for this is midi controllers and Ableton Live LOL. I have a midi keyboard/drum pad and trigger the kick drum with a normal midi foot pedal (Nektar Pacer). To your point, the goal = 1-man-band, but maybe a little more modern than that since I can loop parts with ableton and add bus effects in real-time. overall, my performances are almost a mix of live music and DJ'ing because I lay down the parts/layers and then essentially loop/remix them in real-time.... It's a deep rabbit hole haha.

 

[TheMarkSide]

Hey, you could always ask Vai to sell you this:

haha definitely one of my sources of inspiration - these performances are so good LOL. I only need 1 guitar neck and 1 bass LOL. This thing is gonna be heavy enough I think hahaha.

 

[TheMarkSide]

Another option is to get one of the double-neck guitar kits then get someone like Warmouth to do a bass conversion neck.

One of the advantages of the bass 6 is the ability to play in the upper registers so it's not all bass. It allows me to riff in the same range down-tuned guitars are plus it puts out unique lead tones since all the strings are wound. Hypothetically you can string and tune them anyway you like. Since the 2 high strings are bonus you can do what you want with them.

I also have a 4-string nut and bridge so I can change the 6-string bass to a 4. With a custom nut I could do a 5 so there's a ton of flexibility beyond the obvious.

I was thinking about Warmouth - I'm just not sure the bass neck would be the right dimensions and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with routing a wider/deeper neck pocket and/or shimming if its different. Any idea on specs here? Are there 5 string necks relatively the same width/thickness as 6 string guitar necks? This was the key reason why I was considering just buying a cheap bolt-on guitar/bass and then just cutting the bodies so I could glue them together - maintain the neck pocket, bridge placement/alignment, etc... to me, this would be the easiest way to ensure it would play right after the fact since the carpentry I'd be doing wouldn't affect the playing of either side.

 

[Verne Andru]

My thinking is you could start with something like this Solo Stratocaster double kit:

Solo DSTK-1 DIY Double Neck Electric Guitar Kit | Solo Music Gear

Then get a Warmouth baritone conversion neck:

Invalid Link Removed

Conversion necks are made to be bolt-on replacements so you can put the baritone neck where a regular neck would go then string it like a bass 6. Bass 6 are normally 30" scale so you will have to fiddle with string gauges but there's no reason this wouldn't do what you need.

These folks make one that converts a Strat to a 30" bass VI:

Conversion Necks ~ Luthiery Laboratories

And another that does Stratocaster to Bass IV:

Stratocaster Bass IV (1/3) ~ Luthiery Laboratories

 

[MNAirHead]

This is a good thought and is definitely making me consider other options.

However, I'm not sure this would work because I would still want to be able to play full chords on the "guitar side", or neck if it were a double. I suppose I could do a 7-string bass, but tune it like a 7-string guitar with the top 2 stings being B and E. Then all chords I would play would just need to be bar chords played up an octave and routed through guitar effects, instead of bass. This would open up lower tunings for the guitar parts as well. Overall, the only downsides I see here is that it may be really tough to play 6-string chords on the much heavier bass strings, I may have to capo in some instances, the "guitar tone" won't be quite right because of pickups placement/electronics/heavier strings/etc..

However, this did get me thinking that maybe I could go with something like an 12 string guitar instead and then put bass strings on the bottom 5 strings and tune them like a bass. The issue here would likely be string spacing haha, so less than ideal.

I've had one for about 10 years...

some 7s are voiced that sound like a les paul. I just tune straight accross BEADGCF

My chords are all like "only using the acoustic bronze strings"

having higher register has helped several times when a guitar player doesn't show or can't figure out how to play a signature theme line

 

[J Posega]

I was thinking about Warmouth - I'm just not sure the bass neck would be the right dimensions and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with routing a wider/deeper neck pocket and/or shimming if its different. Any idea on specs here? Are there 5 string necks relatively the same width/thickness as 6 string guitar necks? This was the key reason why I was considering just buying a cheap bolt-on guitar/bass and then just cutting the bodies so I could glue them together - maintain the neck pocket, bridge placement/alignment, etc... to me, this would be the easiest way to ensure it would play right after the fact since the carpentry I'd be doing wouldn't affect the playing of either side.

No, the dimensions of their 5 string bass and 6 string guitar necks are very different.

You’d be better off buying a 4 string Fender style neck with the widest nut width you can find. Then, drill for an extra tuner and install a 5 string nut. You’ll have tight string spacing, but the neck would fit right on the Warmoth body. Ibanez SR basses have pretty narrow necks, so you’d end up with something like that.

I don’t know how wide Warmoth makes their paddle headstock necks, but you could even order one of those if they make a nut wide enough for your liking. You just need to drill for tuners and cut the headstock shape.

 

[TheMarkSide]

My thinking is you could start with something like this Solo Stratocaster double kit:

Solo DSTK-1 DIY Double Neck Electric Guitar Kit | Solo Music Gear

Then get a Warmouth baritone conversion neck:

Invalid Link Removed

Conversion necks are made to be bolt-on replacements so you can put the baritone neck where a regular neck would go then string it like a bass 6. Bass 6 are normally 30" scale so you will have to fiddle with string gauges but there's no reason this wouldn't do what you need.

These folks make one that converts a Strat to a 30" bass VI:

Conversion Necks ~ Luthiery Laboratories

And another that does Stratocaster to Bass IV:

Stratocaster Bass IV (1/3) ~ Luthiery Laboratories

That's really slick and def something to think about. Bummer you can't get any full scale bass necks in a width like that.

 

[Verne Andru]

That's really slick and def something to think about. Bummer you can't get any full scale bass necks in a width like that.

You probably can but you'll have to hunt and may need to get one custom built if you really want full scale. Otherwise the Dano gets you the closest with its 30" scale.

Neck dive and playability becomes an issue if the scale is too long. As it is I'm having to stretch to reach the first few frets on the bass side of the Dano, so longer will only make that worse.

The baritone conversion neck with proper string gauges will do what you are looking for and give you something that will have resale value if you don't like it. Splicing a bass and guitar together will always look better on paper than in reality and very difficult to find a buyer for unless it's really really well done.

 

[J Posega]

You probably can but you'll have to hunt and may need to get one custom built if you really want full scale. Otherwise the Dano gets you the closest with its 30" scale.

Neck dive and playability becomes an issue if the scale is too long. As it is I'm having to stretch to reach the first few frets on the bass side of the Dano, so longer will only make that worse.

The baritone conversion neck with proper string gauges will do what you are looking for and give you something that will have resale value if you don't like it. Splicing a bass and guitar together will always look better on paper than in reality and very difficult to find a buyer for unless it's really really well done.

"Proper string gauges" for a 28.5" scale 5 string bass will be incredibly hard to find and nail down, and still won't sound like a 34" scale bass.

I still think converting the 4 string side to a 5 string on a Warmoth build will be more cost effective. OP could buy a Warmoth body, and cheap necks to test it out before committing to more expensive necks.

Here's a thread with inspiration for the 4-to-5 conversion: 4 to 5 string conversion

 

[Verne Andru]

"Proper string gauges" for a 28.5" scale 5 string bass will be incredibly hard to find and nail down, and still won't sound like a 34" scale bass.

I still think converting the 4 string side to a 5 string on a Warmoth build will be more cost effective. OP could buy a Warmoth body, and cheap necks to test it out before committing to more expensive necks.

Here's a thread with inspiration for the 4-to-5 conversion: 4 to 5 string conversion

I dunno - from what I've seen of Warmouth pricing the cost of the body is going to be higher than the cost of getting a kit and a conversion neck by a long shot. Going with the kit as I suggest a double could be up and running for under $500. You'd be hard pressed to get a Warmouth body for that.

There's a lot going on with short scale basses like the Squier Mini P which are pushing string makers to cater to these smaller builds. By all accounts the Mini P sounds just like its big brother/sister and is 28.6" scale. My 30" scale basses sound like longer scale and the low B on my 7 string is definitely in the bass range and its Strat scale.

You won't be able to get a packaged set of strings that will work but can cobble together a set with singles of the right gauges with a bit of experiment.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

I'll say it again: I think it'll be less money and less work to buy a used guitar and a used bass, and splice the bodies together. Choose two instruments that you like the sound and feel of. It's not that hard to figure out how to join the bodies together in a configuration that is comfortable for you, and decent looking.

 

[Verne Andru]

I'll say it again: I think it'll be less money and less work to buy a used guitar and a used bass, and splice the bodies together. Choose two instruments that you like the sound and feel of. It's not that hard to figure out how to join the bodies together in a configuration that is comfortable for you, and decent looking.

Due respect Bruce, you are an accomplished luthier with all requisite skills and tools. How many people have access to industrial band-saws, etc.? When I was doing pedal builds getting access to a descent drill press was a challenge.

My suggestion only requires bolting pieces together, yours involves some major surgery. I don't doubt it would be easy for you but suggest it's but pretty much impossible for someone working with a hammer and a screwdriver and no history with woodworking.

I still say you can put together a kit/conversion neck for under $500. It's going to cost at least that much for a bass and a guitar that's nice and you've not even started the process of trying to graft the two together. Resale on a franken-guitar/bass is non-existent. I've seen many over the years and they a) don't work and b) nobody wants them because they don't work.

I have no dog in this race and wish the OP all the best.

 

[Verne Andru]

I took another look at Solo's website and they actually have 2 bass/guitar double kits:

Solo DJMBK-1 DIY Electric Guitar & Bass Double Neck Kit | Solo Music Gear

Solo DSBK-10 DIY Electric Guitar & Bass Double Neck Guitar Kit | Solo Music Gear

If those doesn't work there's no reason a regular bass neck can't go on one of the guitar double-neck kits; it would require fiddling with bridge placement but since there isn't an existing bridge to worry about all that's required is filling a few holes (maybe):

Solo DTCK-1 DIY Electric Double Neck Guitar Kit | Solo Music Gear

 

[jid]

No idea how the knock-offs are, but I played a steinberger spirit Doubleneck (have owned 3 over time) in bands where I switched from guitar to bass. I prefer bass on top. Makes the low note reach easier. Something like this isn’t too heavy: Spirit by Steinberger XZ2 / GU4R Double Neck -Black- 2002 (2002) | eBay