Conversion Necks in the Real World

The learn more about Warmoth Conversion necks go here: www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/...

[@LopezMendicuti]

As long as you are healthy, happy and sharing knowledge: we will support you. Thank you for these videos!

[@blakejones6648]

Thanks for highlighting an issue which I never even considered the first 10+ years of my playing. I would highlight the SG as a guitar that plays a little further to the left, which I've always liked being a Strat guy - the Strat neck being further to the right as you pointed out, takes care of some scale length in terms of centering the instrument on the player, and the SG being further to the left makes it more comfortable to switch to the 24.75"

[@Metalbass10000]

Honestly, in 30+ years of playing guitar and bass, I almost never notice differences in the physical location of the frets, or notes, between most scale lengths. The only exceptions to this are: 1) The 30" short scale basses, because I played 33",34,",35",and 36" (most often 34") for 20 years before I tried a 30" and I almost never play these basses. 2) multi-scale guitars with a radical disparity between high and low strings, like a 25" to 28" difference on a seven string, or if the perpendicular fret is not located somewhere near the midpoint if the scale length (like a few guitars I've seen lately with a standard bridge and all the frets increasingly tilting away from the bridge). Aside from these extreme examples, I feel at home on just about any scale length. Narrow fretboard width, due to large hands and long fingers, is a different story.

[@badbadger9860]

Recently purchased a replacement Strat neck from Warmoth. One of the best purchases I ever made! These folks do great work!

[@michaeltravis3562]

After playing Gibson scale conversion necks on my Teles for the past year, I’d hate to go back. It’s really changed the feel of bends, chords, and the overall lowered string tension allows these older hands to play longer without fatigue. I’m not trying to impress anyone at this point in my life, so I’m happy that it inspires me to play more. And for anyone wondering if it changes the tone of a Tele - short answer is that a Tele still sounds like a Tele...Plenty of spank and twang.

[@phillamoore157]

This was just the feedback I was looking for. I'm getting ready to order a tele from Warmoth as we speak, and like the feel of my LP neck (in terms of scale), and saw that I could get Gibson scale neck for my tele. I love the lower string tension on my strat that's tuned down a half step, but don't like the 25.5 scale. I've got the hands of a prepubescent girl, so that's a factor as well. I was initially concerned about the neck shape itself, but now that scale is an option, I'm wondering if that's not a good way to go for my tiny hands, and primary rhythm playing. Sounds like it's working out well for you. Nothing to prove with me either....just want to write in my home studio these days. And, I'm a drummer first and foremost. So, my fingers are strong...just small.

[@TheThunderwars]

Did you have to move the bridge piece to get the correct intonation when going from 25.5 to 24.75 ? Thanks !

[@Dailybassist1]

The first warmoth build I did was February 2015 and I named her Chloe, she’s a S type with a Gibson conversion neck that I still have and play regularly. I’ve thought about it a couple of times and some times I wish I had put a 25 1/2 scale on it because most of my guitars are that scale length but Chloe is the best playing guitar I have so I don’t regret it.

[@ericmichael6990]

I never of such a thing but I just picked up my 1st. Les paul and feel like I cheated myself for years. I just picked up a Allen eden relic body and feel like I should have we t with warmthoth Do upon suggest les paul conversion kit? Luckily I didn't order any other parts yet. Thanks for your time.

[@hayatotheninja]

I'm so happy when I see these videos in my feed. Thanks for you hard work, sir!

[@tedrowland7800]

You brought up things I never thought of. Thank you so much.

[@clintonturpin5154]

Your videos have made up my mind to order warmoth parts to build my dream guitar. Thanks Aaron.

[@garyfox8]

These videos have been a big help. (all the comparisons, etc.) I plan on doing my first build later this year (been playing for 33 years) and the insights and guidance are incredibly helpful in getting me to think about what to consider and, just as important, what I shouldn't agonize over. Thank you so much for taking the time make these!

[@hkguitar1984]

Great advice. Few individuals or players have the access to all the different shapes, sizes and scale length instrument you do, so thank you for sharing and very much appreciated.

[@kenminerva]

I'm happy to hear that you are in a very good shape, Aaron! keep on sharing your knowledge! Rock n roll 🤘🏿🤘🏿

[@playmoreguitar5393]

Thanks for those insights! Makes so much sense!!! Really enjoy this channel.

[@MrWishihadagibson]

Wow. That strat with the clean line and clear back is beautiful.

[@skyviewdesign]

That’s actually really well thought out! I never thought about that before. Definitely another variable to consider, for sure.

[@Delzona]

Excellent information! I for one wouldn’t have even thought about how the fretboard location would be changed by the different body styles vs scale lengths!

[@ericmichael6990]

Hey bro I have to say your videos are bursting with knowledge that no one else ever knows or shares with the gtr community. I was tele guy for 20-30 years but always ran into clean fretting of chords or any lead play at the lower frets and never really knew why and felt to embarrassed to ask I just figured I needed to work on my technique more. I also just came across your gold mine of food for the gtr man's soul. Thanks my friend and stay safe.

[@peterschaefer1665]

Love that yellow strat hanging on the wall. White binding on the fingerboard always makes the fingerboard look wider for some reason. Very cool!

[@thseed7]

I love these videos. Always very informative and entertaining

[@edpack4390]

I love the conversion necks....already have two installed. After a while I discovered I really like a slightly shorter scale like on Gibsons / Epiphones / etc. One of your best products IMHO.

[@barnettg66]

My Gibson conversion neck is awesome. Was my first Warmoth purchase. Loved it so much that I finally built a 7/8 S-Style (which is also Gibson scale), and it is the best guitar I own out of many. I also have a 7/8 T-Style, but as Arron notes in this video, it is quite neck heavy due to the strap geometry. I may get a Warmoth Mustang neck (24" scale) and try lightweight vintage tuners to see if I can get it in balance. You can't go wrong with the conversion necks. They sound identical to the stock 25.5 Fender necks, but are a lot more comfortable to play and super easy to adjust with the side truss nut.

[@brucepuckett3503]

Thanks! The relationship between the shoulder strap button and the neck scale is something I haven't really considered. Btw, I am really exited about my first Warmoth Strat build! Being used to a PRS custom 24 with a 25", I think the Gibson conversion on a 22 fret neck with a Srat body could work for me. Also, the only proven method of prolonging life and slowing the aging process is caloric restriction so keep up the good work!

[@bowfrog]

Hi Eric, Great article on these type of necks. Keep up the Good work!!

[@bowfrog]

opps, I meant Aaron

[@BretNor]

Absolutely great info. Never thought about that.

[@zimbalist]

Another excellent vid, Aaron!

[@Qstick333]

This is a great video. The guitar in the video is amazing.

[@Uzi_does_it76]

Good food for thought. Thanks man 🤘🏼

[@darrellm3410]

Good info on the strap/horn theory. Never thought about it like that.

[@myphone5242]

Just got my 2 conversion necks, delighted and my favourite part was the packing peanuts made of corn flour that dissolve in water. Go Eco Punk 🤘

[@censorbot0454]

Been playing 2 Warmoth Strats with 24 3/4 conversion necks for years now. Love them, especially with a angled neck pocket & a Floyd Rose. Can tune 10s to standard pitch & they're super loose.

[@brandonc2859]

Thanks these videos are great!

[@endlessmike03]

Those guitars look awesome. Love the tops on them, especially that S-body guitar.

[@warmoth]

Cool finish, isn't it! It's called Northern Lights.

[@endlessmike03]

@@warmoth Nice, even the name is cool. If I can save up enough to get one of your soloist guitars, that's the finish I'm going with!

[@emptypromises2962]

You may be a tiny guy, Aaron. But most of all, you're a GOOD guy! I really appreciate this info, as I'm also a guy of smaller stature, albeit not as fit as you.

[@EXSENTRIX]

Awesome video

[@clarsisk4751]

What ever Warmoth is paying you, you are worth ten times that amount, I learn so much for you, and you have become the face of this company, whatever growth they have experienced I can assure the board that you are directly responsible for it.

[@warmoth]

Wow...thanks man! The execs don't always read the KZbin comments, so be sure to email them directly! LOL! :D

[@clarsisk4751]

@@warmoth I love what you do, you do a supreme job of explaining the products without prejudice, you point out the good and the bad, and by doing that you build trust. I truly appreciate you, and directly because of you, I have confidence in Warmoth products.

[@TeleCaster66]

Very good points, the stuff you don't think about until you play it.

[@popsfitch7938]

Nice, great real life info... thank you again. Sincerely, Pops

[@woodygranger2126]

I am saving for a 24 3/4" Telecaster build. I like everything about a Telecaster except I prefer the shorter scale. This video sold me on the idea. Roasted maple conversion neck, big stainless steel frets, staggered (no string tree required) locking tuners, roasted pine body, best I can afford vintage(ish) style bridge but with one change, 6 individual saddles, best electronics money can buy and Lollar or Fralin low output vintage style pickups. The neck pickup will not be the muddy sound like the original ones had that were designed to sub for a bass guitar. I want something usable that sounds great there as well. Bone or tusq nut cut perfectly, and the best setup with the lowest action. Nut cut as low as possible and straight neck as possible with no fret buzz. Lowest possible action at bridge too. I create some fall away at the upper frets when fret leveling. (I have done this many times. Setup and fretwork/leveling and recrowning.) It's going to be awesome!

[@gryzew]

That's why Fender's 24'' guitars have those offset-type bodies, to push everything towards your left hand.

[@BessieBopOrBach]

I'm not sure whether that was the intention. All Fender offset bodies are ultimately derived from the Jazzmaster, which has a 25.5" scale and was designed to be played sitting down. The Jaguar is just a Jazzmaster modified with a Byrdland-type scale and the other offsets alternate between very short scales (the 22.5" Duo-Sonics) and long scales (the 25.5" Electric XII), all ultimately based on the Jazzmaster which was designed to be played sitting down.

[@bennettscher]

Aaron, I read up on you. You are an interesting guy with a lot of accomplishments under your belt. I really admire you. It's clear you didn't fall into the partying way of life. You are an inspiration and your videos are always informative and bring a smile to my face. Keep up the good work and thank you for everything

[@warmoth]

Wow....thanks!

[@Hexspa]

But how does he have accomplishments under his belt if he doesn’t party?

[@thawthaw03]

Are all conversions necks 24.75" that can be ready to dropped in strat ? ​@@warmoth

[@my_tube9405]

I use the control set up he has on that guitar and love it. Getting that damn volume knob out of the way. You can still reach the control and do swells, etc.

[@BudoReflex]

Love the humbuckers. Currently putting a PAF in my strat neck position.

[@xldsyt]

Excellent thoughts to keep in mind when I get my Warmoth short scale S style built (Just ordered a few days ago!). I love the comfort of the S style body and have owned several but never held on to one due to, I believe, the longer scale. We’ll see…

[@ndtealmusic]

That note about the upper horn is why I always felt like Strats had a shorter scale anyway. It FEELS shorter, even though it's not.

[@warmoth]

Exactly!

[@themagnetc]

I cut my teeth on a tele but have come to find that I prefer the Gibson scale length so much more. I’ll add converting my tele to a 24” scale to my list of future mods, I can see how it would really help! Great video as always

[@GregsGarage]

Cool to hear you are a runner! Back in my triathlon days people asked me if I had cancer a lot... Nope, I just burn about a million calories a week!!! Great insight on the guitar / neck combos.

[@schmoemi3386]

The loneliness of the long distance Aaron 😳

[@rodyoakum1194]

Thanks For Great Video

[@meytecc8601]

I just appreciate any mentioning of King's X personnel.

[@warmoth]

You haven't been properly hugged until you've been hugged by Dug. Those long, long arms are dreamy. Coolest guy ever!

[@unisonosc1617]

Great video, your points about guitar body style hanging position vs. neck length reach hadn't even occurred to me.... I would have had the same issues you pointed out. Also keep up that running as long as you can, I miss being able to run so much. One day it's here the next it's gone. Cheers brother.

[@warmoth]

Thanks man.....I am 54 and my knees are already barking at me pretty hard. I've had to cut my miles a lot this last year, and yes.....I really miss the long runs too!

[@jeremykopatz4760]

never thought about how the body shape would impact the length feel. It totally makes sense!

[@nickagervasi]

This is awesome. That also explains a lot for me. I have a jazzcaster with a baritone neck and dude.... It is a WAY out there. I would love to see a video about all the different headstocks!

[@shawnwright5332]

Awesome 👍

[@TheMidnightModder]

This is about the tangent, I personally love being a lean, 5 foot 7 guy. I'm much more nimble and can fit into smaller spaces. Plus electric guitars fit so well. They must've been made with smaller guys in mind haha Stevie Ray Vaughan was a 140lb, 5 foot 8 guy and he clearly didn't have any problem shredding haha

[@CC-8891]

I just ordered a strat baritone conversion neck. Ive been designing my own neck specs on the warmoth website for a few years and it felt good to finally hit "order". I got a roasted maple neck with ebony fingerboard and SS jumbo frets. It will be going on an Olympic white mohogany hardtail strat body, also from warmoth. I think I'll set it up as either HSS or HH. Not sure yet. Can't wait to see the neck.

[@demantoid418]

Some great tip's I wouldn't have thought up my self. Thanks 😝🤘

[@monstrok]

Aaron, spot on with the neck placement relative the upper strap pin on the the guitar body. This is probably why I can go from a Strat to a Les Paul with ease but need a few moments to recalibrate to an SG or one of those long-horn Petrucci guitars.

[@warmoth]

Exactly!

[@normanperkel139]

Aaron it's funny that you mention where the guitar body hangs on a Strat style body. Back in the late 80's I began moving the strap button/locks from the horn to the middle of the neck plate on the back of the body (think SG placement).

[@mickeymontenero6798]

You' ve got a laaaarge right about the distances!!! It's got to fit to your body...mbravo my friend!!

[@globalnova]

good stuff. after strapping my S and T styles on, i am now going for a Gib Conv on the tele instead.

[@anshubhatia6609]

Great insight! You guys have the longest scale length I've seen for baritone guitars. I'd love to see a 26.5 or 27 inch replacement neck offering, I'd be in for one immediately! Easier transition and easier to find a case that fits!

[@warmoth]

We've considered it. Unfortunately pretty much all R&D has been paused for the time being. Maybe in 2021 we'll get to start working on new products again....

[@josephmaniwang]

@@warmoth Please please please always offer 1 3/4" nut, and Vintage Modern if you can!!

[@sylvesterf.4950]

I'm little guy too, but never was thinking that upper horn could be on the way with conversation 24,3\4 neck. Thanks a lot for sharing your point of view, it is very helpful for me. By the way, your demonstration and musician skills are so, so good. You are musically Bruce Lee.

[@jamescranefinecarpentry7146]

Very valid points. 🤘🏻

[@tastjohn1889]

Hi..I'm a new subscriber for this channel and i do really agree with what you're saying here...

[@angusorvid8840]

One thing I've always prefered about 24 scale is the lower string tension, general greater playability. I also find it to be warmer than 25 scale. Just my personal experience. I used to have spatial memory that worked better for 25 scale but since I started playing 24 scale, Gibson style guitars I just got used to it. I find that when you pair a 24 scale with a hardtail/tuneomatic with bolt-on construction you combine the best of many worlds.

[@joegmailtube]

Learned something today. Baritone neck and a T-style body is something I may want to try now that you demo'd it. Thanks man! Keep running! I used to run a lot more, but now I've begun training for a half in October... Assuming it happens. Anyway, it not, I'll run the lake near me. Take care!

[@warmoth]

Yep....all the races I was scheduled to run this year have been cancelled. Not to mention all the gigs I had booked. Yeesh.

[@joegmailtube]

Keep getting outside and make sure your vitamin d levels are up! We'll all be running soon.

[@eriksantana7249]

Good info on this one

[@kesamek8537]

My experience of reducing the scale is don't forget about string spacing ... a shorter scale will mean strings sit nearer to fretboard edges as they approach the body - assuming the same neck and nut width and bridge - so remember to consider a narrower string spaced bridge if it's something that might bother you.

[@Taldaran]

I was wondering about that because I have a conversion neck on my Floyd rose strat body and coupled with looser strings due to shorter scale length, the strings have a tendency to slip off the fretboard especially when doing tapping and pulloffs on the E string. I think it has an R4 nut. Perhaps I should get an R3.

[@kesamek8537]

@@Taldaran personally I found a narrower nut helped a bit, and I swapped my bridge to a Gotoh narrow spacing model. The correct solution would be a Warmoth option for slightly wider fretboard at the heel.

[@windsurfmaui8239]

Thanks I'm research building a Strat with a Gibson conversion neck and the narrow bridge issue is something I have not considered.

[@squiresuzuki]

I did the math (466mm*(1/(25.4*24.75") - 1/(25.4*25.5"))*(52mm-38mm)/2) and found that it would only move the outer strings 0.15mm towards the edge of the neck @ the 22nd fret (obviously, less at lower frets), all else being equal. This is less than the thickness of the high e string. Personally, my guitar currently has about 3.7mm of leeway between the string and the end of the fret, so I don't think the change would be noticeable.

[@andrewsmith1520]

I agree with you about baritone conversation necks. In general I don't love a baritone conversation neck because of how far the nut is from the bridge... If I were going to use one, id build a body just for it with a longer upper horn and a shorter rear end to bring the neck. That way the first register is closer to the strumming hand.

[@ericheine2414]

Hey Aaron nice to meet you. I'm most comfortable playing the guitar I cut my teeth on. A 72 Telecaster, I have a 82 Smith Strat. And a custom hardtail 78 Strat stuffed with Gibson PAF pickups, tone and volume knob and a 3-way switch. I'm thinking about building a guitar. Thank you for your counsel.

[@jaysmason1305]

Good info

[@ljgaustin]

For me, the big deal is the conversion necks cured the arthritis like pain I had for years in the big joint of my index finger. I have average size hands; I buy medium gloves. The Fender scale puts a lot of lateral stress on the index finger at the nut end of the neck, especially when stretching to play Chuck Berry type rhythm, grabbing a lower note out of position, or three note per string scale form type reaches. It is a little more cramped at the upper end of the neck. There is less tension with the same gauge stings, which is good for bends, but the lower resistance to the pick reduces speed, at least for me. And I need as much going for me as I can get. A little less twang, but it's still a Tele, and Fender still makes amps.

[@Ottophil]

I have that same pain....every morning i wake up and hope it went away. But its been many years

[@valve84]

Thanks.

[@nurk_barry]

Well damn, just ordered a Gibson scale Strat Neck for a normal sized strat. I loved that baritone, maybe I should co wider getting a Tele body next and swapping the neck, Gibson scale on the Tele and baritone neck on the strat. Either way, I’m a pretty short guy too so the shorter neck on the strat will probably feel good to me still. Another great video Aaron, hope all is well over there, I see you guys are just south of Seattle. Take care brother.

[@luminositymusicbrianpricka6357]

Thx- learn something new today.

[@soundknight]

Sounds nice and chewy

[@AIengine]

good info video .

[@SandeepSingh-zc5sh]

The conversion necks work great with Jazzcaster bodies, I've got three so far with two mounted on offset builds with fat fatback profiles, 1.650 nut widths with SS6100 frets, literally the comfiest necks I've ever played! The jazzmaster shape in general feels like its further away from you so the conversion neck just makes it feel a bit closer to play without the the feeling you're stretching yourself out

[@richardstones6445]

I'm an older player, and unfortunately, I have old guy disease in my hands. I play mostly acoustic stuff, and all my guitars were longer scale. I was really starting to have trouble stretching into some of the chords and positions I have played for years. So, I bought a short-scale Martin (000-28) and it was like magic. I really don't play anything else now. So, I bought your 7/8 T-style body, and a 7/8 Warhead neck to fit it (When I ordered, I didn't realize I could buy a conversion neck to fit a normal size body, but I'm pretty excited to try out the 7/8 tele anyway).

[@SynthChris]

Got the baritone neck and I love it! Helped turn my strat into a metal machine

[@johncook3265]

Hey man! After this COVID lockdown/boredom, I watched a TON of your videos. Ended up ordering a roasted maple neck for my 93' MIM strat. Was everything I hoped it would be, and while the neck isn't 100% finished(ie final fret work), one of your videos covered that as well. Neck is as good or better fret wise than two new Fender Deluxe MIM's I just got. Once I get frets finally dressed and leveled this thing will take off. The roasted maple is soooo smooth!

[@windsurfmaui8239]

You don't know smooth until you burnish that neck to 1500 grit but be careful because once you feel a burnished roasted neck all finished necks will feel ugly and you will want to sell them all.

[@DiegoLozada-cc5xe]

im considering buying a scale conversion neck for my strat and this highlighted a pretty important issue. Though I think it could be solved by playing the strat button behind the horn or in front, which sounds sacrilegious lol. But either the less that could help how far back the guitar sits and let me still have this scale length. I'm also a little guy and I like to stretch out my fingers to play cool licks, but man do my hands suffer. Sometimes I just cave in and tap the licks instead but i prefer being able to stretch and leave the taping to licks that need it.

[@howardskinner4916]

Good info! I've thinking of a baritone Tele, might not be the way to go.

[@pulkitdesai4094]

Love the Bruce Lee line. And you gave great insight into body style, ergonomics and scale lengths. Thank you.

[@michaelbarash3565]

I was considering swapping necks for shorter scale. This was super helpful as always.

[@deanallen9660]

I switch from an SG to a Strat to a Les Paul to an Acoustic. And I'm building two teles (one is a Warmoth copy of my long lost 71 Thinline) so I'd just say......ADJUST. The guitar that really gave me that problem was a 68 CBS Bronco.

[@jaygooch1190]

I absolutely LOVE my roasted maple Gibson scale neck on my strat. I'm tall and lanky so it doesn't bother me but I can see how a smaller stature person could be uncomfortable on one. Great great products and all hail the skinny people

[@CollinPeterson615]

This is such good info... love it!

[@inigolm1863]

I think that a 27.5" or 28" neck would be killer. For some players 28.625" is too long. Maybe a 27.75" option for the future? that would be very nice and for tunning to B or even G, that scale might work very well. Nice vid!

[@woolgum]

That baritone tele looks awesome, please tell me all about the color and wood etc. :)

[@twiggyb67]

Would love a conversion neck for a modern Jackson JS. There are a lot of JS out there at 25.5 that would be a better guitar at 24.75.

[@wilsondunlap]

Good vid! Could you do one on the combinations of fretboard and body wood that people are used to with Fender-style guitars? Your vid about body woods was great, but I'm very curious about these four permutations you see: Maple and alder Maple and ash Rosewood and alder Rosewood and ash My sense is that there's a reason why rosewood and ash together is relatively rare?

[@paulmullen2620]

I prefer the Strat style bodies to help with balance. I've never found a telecaster or Les Paul that didn't have neck dive, which is very uncomfortable to me due to scoliosis and regular tendonitis flare ups. Unfortunately I like the sound of the latter two guitars more!

[@raulg1garcia]

Have you tried to put the strap button on the back where the plate is to screw the neck to the body? The placement is much like where the strap button is on the Gibson 335. That way the balance would be better and you could still be playing a Strat shape. Just a thought.

[@nsc217]

Can you do a video where you take us through the Warmoth factory?

[@warmoth]

There are already a bunch, broken out by department. Look through our old videos and you will find them.

[@3rdmm]

Hey Aaron, you ought to reposition the strap button on your S-type to *behind* the horn. Been doing it for at least 30 years. Works better, looks better.

[@fleetwooddave]

You should upload a pic....I'd like to see exactly how and where you put the button.

[@lanesuzza]

Great sounding guitar. Nice treble . What pickups are you using in this guitar?

[@emobutpoofy]

You guys should really do a 26.5 or 27 inch conversion. It would sell spectacularly with metal guys

[@budgetguitaristcom]

Very helpful video as always. THANKS!

[@cbast2]

I started out on Les Paul and SG style guitars. I like to rest my hand on the bridge when I play. I always found Strat-style guitars awkward to play because that upper horn moves the bridge to the right. It's not in the position I'm accustomed to. I don't mind Tele-style guitars because the bridge is in the "right" spot for me.

[@68halfcab]

I agree on the baritone neck. I have the Squier Parnormal baritone and it is a bit of a reach.