Luthier to Convert a Long Scale Bass Into Medium Scale?

[LenMinNJ]

If a capo at the first fret gave you weirdness with respect to strings, I'd suggest you address that weirdness before modifying your bass...

Thanks for your suggestions.

I know what gauges I'd use, as I already have another bass with a 32-inch scale.

My suggestion as to what route to go here is to consider a Warmoth build...

I'm not at all interested in a bolt-on neck. I'm finished with those.

 

[LenMinNJ]

Can someone recommend me a mechanic that will convert my Subaru Outback to a Mini Cooper?

Converting a stock 34-inch Thumb NT4 into a 32-inch scale Thumb NT4 isn't quite the same thing.

 

[SpyderX]

It's not absolutely insane at all. Replacing the neck in a neck-thru bass is a complicated and moderately expensive job, but many of us Luthiers do this fairly often. I wouldn't say it's routine, but it's a job we do when needed. Replacing it with a neck of a different scale length isn't much extra complexity. The new neck would be laid out to work with the existing bridge and pickup positions. Changing to 32" scale, the new neck would probably end up at 24 frets, rather than 26.

And yes, we can get the right woods and build a replacement neck that's equal in feel and quality to the original Warwick neck.

I know most of you working luthiers are probably too busy to document this process with pictures, but I would love to see a thread on the process of converting a neck-thru or set neck. Not something I would ever attempt, but I would love to watch the process if anyone has time and attempts it.

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Converting a stock 34-inch Thumb NT4 into a 32-inch scale Thumb NT4 isn't quite the same thing.

Yes, one is a bass guitar, the other is a gas-powered motor vehicle. I am well aware of that.

 

[mjmeche]

1. Remove bridge.
2. Re-position bridge closer to neck.

Not necessarily, I am having my Ibanez SR785 converted to short scale, so instead of having a 24 fret neck it will be 19 or so. eh I don't use them anyway

 

[darwin-bass]

1. Remove bridge.
2. Re-position bridge closer to neck.

But the fret spacing would be all wrong.

 

[mikewalker]

If it was me I would certainly just move the nut to the 1st fret, and ignore the dots (I never look at them anyway).

( OK, if you want to re-do the side dots , that's not a huge undertaking...)

You then have the same bass, less one fret. Whether you relocate the nut, or just make former '1st fret' into a 'zero fret', it's orders of magnitude less work than anything else, and you get essentially the same result.

I've was pondering doing the exact same thing to my three 34 inch scale basses - but since I only use them for recording, I decided I would just live with it. If one of those gets bumped up to the gig rig, then I might reconsider...

 

[shortscalesrule]

My 2 cents (which may not even be worth that much): I think trying to retrofit your current bass would be ill-advised. If it doesn't work, you would be left with zero basses you love. I think you might be able to get a luthier to build a bass for you for way less than Warwick seems to want. But as others have said, you need someone who is willing to be adventurous. You might check out Joe Till: Built to Inspire
I have only admired his work on the web, but he has some stunning woods and likes to experiment with different scales.

 

[ole Jason]

I'd be really surprised if you can find someone who can legitimately do a good job changing the scale for less than $1000. My guess is it would cost quite a bit more than that if you want it done right.

While the woods used by Warwick are rather uncommon I'm confident you can find a luthier to do a similar custom bass for $3000-4000. Wenge is easily sourced nowadays and you could probably find factory electronics from a Warwick as many people replace them.

 

[lethargytartare]

It's not absolutely insane at all. Replacing the neck in a neck-thru bass is a complicated and moderately expensive job, but many of us Luthiers do this fairly often. I wouldn't say it's routine, but it's a job we do when needed. Replacing it with a neck of a different scale length isn't much extra complexity. The new neck would be laid out to work with the existing bridge and pickup positions. Changing to 32" scale, the new neck would probably end up at 24 frets, rather than 26.

And yes, we can get the right woods and build a replacement neck that's equal in feel and quality to the original Warwick neck.

Would you be able to give him/us a sense of rough cost differential between (a) doing this mod to his bass as you describe above, and (b) building a medium scale clone from scratch. Might be a useful point of reference.

 

[lethargytartare]

To folks suggesting he sell his bass (which was my first opinion too), find his post where he described the condition of it when he got it. He had to do a lot of work to make it usable, and that's how he got it and has comparatively little money invested in it. He'd have to lie about its condition to sell it, or settle for a meager amount of cash (he probably couldn't get his actual investment back). So I understand why the mod path is attractive to him.

 

[OnederTone]

Life is short. Why not play the bass that you truly love, instead of putting up with one that could be better?

Or turning a perfectly fine instrument into firewood.

 

[OnederTone]

Can you recommend a luthier who'd want to do this? My favorite isn't interested.

Sounds like a very competent, professional luthier.

 

[yodedude2]

Can someone recommend me a mechanic that will convert my Subaru Outback to a Mini Cooper?

the guy who did this:

 

[diegom]

Kinda Thumb-ish... No exotic woods, no neck-thru.
Warwick 32" Medium Scale, ACTIVE, Rockbass Corvette, high gloss black

 

[PauFerro]

Years ago I would have offered to do it for a low price. I have formal training in luthiery and have done this already a few times with long scale basses. As a serious hobbyist, it was a labor of love as i had a full time job.

I would look for someone locally who is getting into luthiery and might want to take this on for the cost of materials and a marginal profit for their time. I don't know if you said you tried warmoth, but that is another alternative. Someone at a woodworking school might also do it. That was where my teacher was trained.

But there are ways of making the neck fit perfectly into an existing neck pocket, dot markers in the right place, intonation correct etcetera. I see the capo as a compromise.

 

[PauFerro]

Just play the NT. Even Tina Weymouth had no issue playing a 34 inch scale bass.

Ouch! I play short basses exclusively even though I am now capable of getting around on a 34" one. Fit and feel is critical, and I'm a much better bassist on a short scale than a 34 incher.

 

[BobKos]

I think if you took a good look at the SS offerings from Warmoth, you could come up with a bass as good as or better than what you are planning to do. You have no idea how a modified SS is going to play / sound till you do it. I would not do the conversion you are considering.

 

[shortscalesrule]

the guy who did this:

View attachment 2925666

There was an episode of "Police Squad!" (the short-lived TV show that led to the Naked Gun movies) wherein the police lab completely disassembles a Lincoln Continental in search of contraband (homage to "The French Connection"). When re-assembled, the car is the same color, but it's a Corvair. (The contraband? It was in the glove box.)

 

[yodedude2]

There was an episode of "Police Squad!"...(The contraband? It was in the glove box.)

i thought they only ever found gloves in a glove box on 'police squad!' (in color)