Wanting to build E-E Baritone.....ideas?

[Headshot]

I follow every Baritone build on here, and I am jealous of all of you.....

I have been wanting to build a Baritone that can be tuned E-E. Yes, I know Fender made the Bass VI, but since I don't want to spend 3k for one....plus I enjoy building my own.

The main questions are scale length and string guage. I have pretty much come to the conclusion that I need a 30" scale length, is that right? If I were to build a Tele, I could use a typical 27 1/2" neck and just move the bridge back 2 1/2", right? Or did I just oversimplify?

I actually would prefer to make a Strat Baritone so I can have the wiggle stick, but a Bigsby'd tele wouldn't hurt my feelings at all. I am installing a Bigsby on my MIA Tele anyway.

If all else fails, I will just find the best Octaver pedal around and dial in the lower octave, but that isn't as much fun.......

HELP!!!!

[Teleblaster_1]

Check out Tommy's 28-5/8 conversion necks...

http://www.usacustomguitars.com/neckfeatures.html

[jkingma]

If you tune it E-E it isn't really a baritone... its just a regular guitar with a longer scale.

I've built a couple baritones and have one in process right now and I think trying to get tuned up to E with heavier baritone strings is going to put a lot of strain on your neck and cause you trouble. Unless you are building the neck from scratch and design it accordingly.

A baritone needs to be tuned lower than standard pitch.

[Headshot]

jkingma, I mean E-E down 1 octave. I would tune the high E the same as the middle E, thinking I could get some cool spooky sounds.

[Headshot]

Teleblaster, I saw that neck, plus another from my buddy at WD Music, but wasn't sure if that scale length would work, that is part of my question. I love Tommy's stuff, plus he is a stand up guy.

[fezz parka]

For the six string bass, you'll need the 30 inch scale to intonate right. The conversion necks work well for B-B or A-A, but fall short when going for the E-E.

This is my Strat Baritone. It has the Warmoth conversion neck, tuned A-A:

[jkingma]

Originally Posted by Headshot

jkingma, I mean E-E down 1 octave. I would tune the high E the same as the middle E, thinking I could get some cool spooky sounds.

Duh, I shoulda figured that...

That could work but you will probably have to experiment with some different string guages until you get it right. It will be pretty floppy.

[Headshot]

ok, I found all of my answers....I ordered a Baritone VI body and 30" neck from USACG.....Tommy is great to talk to, and very informative.

[Teleblaster_1]

Originally Posted by Headshot

ok, I found all of my answers....I ordered a Baritone VI body and 30" neck from USACG.....Tommy is great to talk to, and very informative.

+1