Scale length project question - help!

jdbwales · May 26th, 2008, 12:03 PM

Hi, I've just bought an acepro t-style body off ebay with a yamaha erg121 neck ftted, but not received it yet. the original scale length of the acepro is apparently 24.75 (which i'm used to on my gibson) but the yamaha neck is 25.5. the seller said he's had this neck fitted for some time with no problems and has used it for gigs etc.

I intended to replace the neck with a nice maple/maple fretboard tele style one to complete the look of the guitar, but was wondering if any old tele neck would do - the yamaha neck has been free of problems apparently, but what should i do? is it worth getting a tele neck to replace it with or will i be dogged with problems?

Thanks!

Wardpike · May 26th, 2008, 12:19 PM

Unless you really really really know what you're doing, count on problems. Positioning the neck so that the distance from the bridge center point to the 12th fret matches the distance from the nut to the 12th fret (12.725 inches), is a lot easier than it sounds.

Be careful!

Ward

jwells393 · May 26th, 2008, 12:27 PM

If there's nothing wrong with the Yahama neck why replace it?

Quote:

Unless you really really really know what you're doing, count on problems. Positioning the neck so that the distance from the bridge center point to the 12th fret matches the distance from the nut to the 12th fret (12.725 inches), is a lot easier than it sounds.

What are you saying here? First you say there may be problems then you say it's easier than it sounds.

The nut to 12th fret distance on a 25.5 in. scale neck is 12.75 in.

magicguitar · May 26th, 2008, 12:30 PM

Measure several times! Nut to bridge = 25 1/2 inches. Nut to 12th fret 12 3/4 inches and 12th fret to bridge 12 3/4 inches. Anything more or less will give you problems.

jwells393 · May 26th, 2008, 01:08 PM

Unlike some other guitars, the Telecaster bridge has a wide range of intonation adjustment............ plus you can alsways use longer screws and shorten or remove the springs if need be.

6x47 · May 26th, 2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

What are you saying here? First you say there may be problems then you say it's easier than it sounds.

I understand what he said, course I know a bit of the Newfy language.

jdbwales · May 26th, 2008, 07:25 PM

So do you think I should be OK to attach a normal 25.5 tele neck then?

I don't want to keep the yamaha one on because i'm not keen on the headstock and rosewood fretboard, y'see

reddogbass · May 27th, 2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

So do you think I should be OK to attach a normal 25.5 tele neck then?

You are going to have to make that determination, since you have the parts that need to be measured. Several posted the necessary dimensions, so just follow that. You will need to obtain the tele neck however so the measurement can be made with the neck mounted. Or without buying parts, if you have access to a tele neck to measure, measure the 12th fret to the heel, and the neck pocket to the bridge saddles on your guitar. If the total is 12.75, you're alright. As jwells mentioned, theres a good bit of saddle adjustment in them tele bridges.

jwells393 · May 27th, 2008, 08:12 AM

Typically 12th fret to end of heel on a Fender neck is ~ 5 11/16 in. It could vary a little with aftermarket necks .......... but probably not much.

So measure neck pocket to D & G saddles .......add 5 11/16 ......... compare that to nut to 12th fret measurement (12 3/4 in). If it differs a little, is that difference within the saddle adjustment range.

If I recall correctly TDPRI member Crowden put a 25.5 scale neck on a Squier Vintage Modified Thinline which had a 24.75 scale neck originally with no problems.

Nick JD · May 27th, 2008, 08:13 AM

BTW - if you're cutting it close, the saddles nearly always need to go longer than 12.75 from the 12th fret. Specially the fatter strings.

jdbwales · May 27th, 2008, 08:44 AM

Thanks guys, that's great help - I'll get measuring and experimenting!

May 26th, 2008, 12:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
jdbwales NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cardiff Posts: 5	Scale length project question - help! Hi, I've just bought an acepro t-style body off ebay with a yamaha erg121 neck ftted, but not received it yet. the original scale length of the acepro is apparently 24.75 (which i'm used to on my gibson) but the yamaha neck is 25.5. the seller said he's had this neck fitted for some time with no problems and has used it for gigs etc. I intended to replace the neck with a nice maple/maple fretboard tele style one to complete the look of the guitar, but was wondering if any old tele neck would do - the yamaha neck has been free of problems apparently, but what should i do? is it worth getting a tele neck to replace it with or will i be dogged with problems? Thanks!

May 26th, 2008, 01:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,905 101 Photos	Unlike some other guitars, the Telecaster bridge has a wide range of intonation adjustment............ plus you can alsways use longer screws and shorten or remove the springs if need be. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

May 27th, 2008, 08:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,905 101 Photos	Typically 12th fret to end of heel on a Fender neck is ~ 5 11/16 in. It could vary a little with aftermarket necks .......... but probably not much. So measure neck pocket to D & G saddles .......add 5 11/16 ......... compare that to nut to 12th fret measurement (12 3/4 in). If it differs a little, is that difference within the saddle adjustment range. If I recall correctly TDPRI member Crowden put a 25.5 scale neck on a Squier Vintage Modified Thinline which had a 24.75 scale neck originally with no problems. __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

May 27th, 2008, 08:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
Nick JD Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2007 Location: North NSW, Australia Age: 36 Posts: 2,231	BTW - if you're cutting it close, the saddles nearly always need to go longer than 12.75 from the 12th fret. Specially the fatter strings. __________________

May 26th, 2008, 12:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Wardpike Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: St. John's, Newfoundland Age: 43 Posts: 608	Unless you really really really know what you're doing, count on problems. Positioning the neck so that the distance from the bridge center point to the 12th fret matches the distance from the nut to the 12th fret (12.725 inches), is a lot easier than it sounds. Be careful! Ward

May 26th, 2008, 12:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
magicguitar Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Fallon, Nevada Age: 60 Posts: 534	Measure several times! Nut to bridge = 25 1/2 inches. Nut to 12th fret 12 3/4 inches and 12th fret to bridge 12 3/4 inches. Anything more or less will give you problems.

May 26th, 2008, 07:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
jdbwales NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cardiff Posts: 5	So do you think I should be OK to attach a normal 25.5 tele neck then? I don't want to keep the yamaha one on because i'm not keen on the headstock and rosewood fretboard, y'see

May 27th, 2008, 08:44 AM	#11 (permalink)
jdbwales NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cardiff Posts: 5	Thanks guys, that's great help - I'll get measuring and experimenting!