converting from long scale to short

[poomwah]

Conceivably, wouldn't the only thing necessary to convert a long scale to a short scale be changing to a short scale neck, moving the bridge closer to the neck (if the pickup placement allowed it), short scale strings, and a set up? Is there anything else I'm forgetting?

[Kindness]

 

Conceivably, wouldn't the only thing necessary to convert a long scale to a short scale be changing to a short scale neck, moving the bridge closer to the neck (if the pickup placement allowed it), short scale strings, and a set up? Is there anything else I'm forgetting?

 

 

Neck for fret placement, bridge for scale length. That's it.

[knuckle_head]

That'd be a righteous mod to a bolt-on 'paul bass. You could even design the neck to put the compensated length where the existing bridge already sits.

[Mudbass]

 

Conceivably, wouldn't the only thing necessary to convert a long scale to a short scale be changing to a short scale neck, moving the bridge closer to the neck (if the pickup placement allowed it), short scale strings, and a set up? Is there anything else I'm forgetting?

 

 

 

Yes. Having your head examined.

[Jazz Ad]

Downtune by 2 tones, set capo on 4th fret, you have a free short scale bass.

[poomwah]

 

Downtune by 2 tones, set capo on 4th fret, you have a free short scale bass.

 

 

you wouldn't have the short scale fret spacing though.

[poomwah]

 

Yes. Having your head examined.

 

why?

[Kindness]

 

you wouldn't have the short scale fret spacing though.

 

 

You wouldn't? From a 34" scale length you'd get perfect spacing for a 27" scale length.

 

You'd get a lot closer to 30" scale (from 34" scale) by tuning down one step with a capo on the second fret.

[poomwah]

 

You wouldn't? From a 34" scale length you'd get perfect spacing for a 27" scale length. You'd get a lot closer to 30" scale (from 34" scale) by tuning down one step with a capo on the second fret.

 

 

aren't the frets closer together on a 30" scale neck than on a 34" neck?

[GRANKOR]

 

aren't the frets closer together on a 30" scale neck than on a 34" neck?

 

 

the frets get closer as you move up the neck anyway

[isaac42]

 

aren't the frets closer together on a 30" scale neck than on a 34" neck?

 

 

Yes, but think about it. The frets are also closer together the higher up the neck you go. From the nut to the first fret is about 2". Put a capo on the first fret, and you have a 32" scale bass. Moving to the second fret takes away not quite as much, but it's close enough to 30" as makes no difference. All of the frets are proportional. An old rule of thumb is that the next fret is 1/17 the distance from the current fret to the bridge. Makes no difference if the scale is 25", 30", 34", or a meter.

[Thumper]

I guess my question is 'why bother?'

[poomwah]

 

Yes, but think about it. The frets are also closer together the higher up the neck you go. From the nut to the first fret is about 2". Put a capo on the first fret, and you have a 32" scale bass. Moving to the second fret takes away not quite as much, but it's close enough to 30" as makes no difference. All of the frets are proportional. An old rule of thumb is that the next fret is 1/17 the distance from the current fret to the bridge. Makes no difference if the scale is 25", 30", 34", or a meter.

 

 

so if you are used to 20 fret short scale you could just use a 22 fret 34 inch? would you get the same low tension?

[poomwah]

 

I guess my question is 'why bother?'

 

 

because short scales are FUN :]

[isaac42]

 

so if you are used to 20 fret short scale you could just use a 22 fret 34 inch? would you get the same low tension?

 

 

Yes, because you're lowering the tension to downtune such that you're getting EADG at the second fret.

[poomwah]

now if only my basses had 22 frets, LOL, they have 20, so if I try the capo deal, then I'm down to 18 frets :

[isaac42]

18 frets?

 

Look, are you playing bass or not?

[poomwah]

 

18 frets? Look, are you playing bass or not?

 

 

of course I'm playing bass

[Brother Mango]

 

of course I'm playing bass

 

 

 

Hey! Don't fall for the bait of these troglodytes. Move forward with your idea. If you do have your head examined, get the results documented and used as an example of a fully-realized human being.

 

One more thing: as R. Kelly said:

 

 

"... take the haters out in the back & rough 'em up."

 

 

 

 

I'll rough up the haters for you.

[poorboy]

 

Conceivably, wouldn't the only thing necessary to convert a long scale to a short scale be changing to a short scale neck, moving the bridge closer to the neck (if the pickup placement allowed it), short scale strings, and a set up? Is there anything else I'm forgetting?

 

Just know the scale of the neck your useing.

Whether it be a 30" scale, 31,32 or what ever.

Bridge placement is based on the scale of the neck .

[poomwah]

thanks Mango :] You've been an inspiration. Did you see the pick holder I "mango'd" on my thunderbird?

 

 

I'll rough up the haters for you.

 

[isaac42]

of course I'm playing bass

 

Then what do you need more than 18 frets for?

[Brother Mango]

 

You've been an inspiration. Did you see the pick holder I "mango'd" on my thunderbird?

 

 

I haven't seen it. Shoot me the link ...

I'm excited!

[Perfessor]

I made a short scale into a long scale bass and all I had to do was put the neck on. The bridge was not a problem. The saddles needed adjusting to intone it and it sounds real good.

[poomwah]

Then what do you need more than 18 frets for?

 

high stuff lol and some mister big tunes