Would anybody be interested in a 32" Scale IV to VI conversion?

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
Post Reply
User avatar
BTL
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1450
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:24 pm
Contact:

Would anybody be interested in a 32" Scale IV to VI conversion?

Post by BTL » Fri Jul 13, 2018 7:28 pm

This is an idea I have been kicking around for a while now, and I'm curious to know if there is any interest.

The concept is simple and easy enough to implement as it will be based on my 32" scale conversion neck design.

The idea would be to offer either complete builds or a ready-to-install neck and bridge "kit" that converts an American Spec 34" scale four string bass to a 32" scale Bass VI (E to E) with a 1.75" nut and 2 1/4" (0.45" or 11.43mm) bridge.

I think it would be unique and different enough to be worth pursuing.

Since most of the tooling is already done, it would be pretty easy to bring to fruition.

Is this something folks might be interested in?
Owner, Lowe Custom Guitars

User avatar
mackerelmint
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 13674
Joined: Sun May 05, 2013 9:51 pm
Location: トイレ国、ウンチ市

Re: Would anybody be interested in a 32" Scale IV to VI conversion?

Post by mackerelmint » Fri Jul 13, 2018 10:04 pm

That's a neat idea. I'm certainly interested at the very least in knowing more. What's the bridge like?
This is an excellent rectangle

User avatar
BTL
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1450
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:24 pm
Contact:

Re: Would anybody be interested in a 32" Scale IV to VI conversion?

Post by BTL » Wed Aug 01, 2018 6:37 pm

The bridge would be top-loading only and would be a direct retro-fit for a vintage-style 5-screw four string bridge.

So, imagine this, but with a six-string headstock and bridge:

Image

The bridge plate would be identical to the one shown in the Ridler 32/34 shown above.

I'm considering using two compensated, fixed-angle, barrel-style saddles with three string slots, two intonation screws, and two height adjustment screws each.

The slot depth in the saddles would be cut to match the 9 1/2" fretboard radius.

Imagine compensated, fixed-angle, barrel saddles like these:

Image

...but with pre-cut string slots running parallel to the strings, like these:

Image

...and two height adjustment screws and two intonation screws per saddle, like these:

Image
Owner, Lowe Custom Guitars

User avatar
Embenny
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 10363
Joined: Tue May 24, 2016 5:07 am

Re: Would anybody be interested in a 32" Scale IV to VI conversion?

Post by Embenny » Wed Aug 01, 2018 6:49 pm

I love the idea of this, but given the different string preferences of VI players (e.g. high gauge flatwounds vs low gauge roundwounds and everything in between), I feel like having anything other than individual intonation adjustment is going to leave some people unhappy.
The artist formerly known as mbene085.

User avatar
mackerelmint
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 13674
Joined: Sun May 05, 2013 9:51 pm
Location: トイレ国、ウンチ市

Re: Would anybody be interested in a 32" Scale IV to VI conversion?

Post by mackerelmint » Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:13 pm

^^^

This. Though in defense of the idea, I think it's striking far enough outside of the established concept of a VI as it is that it may not be such an issue. I feel like it's kind of a bass players' VI rather than a guitarists' VI if that makes sense.

And even I, the perennial mastery doubter, was won over in terms of intonation.
This is an excellent rectangle

User avatar
BTL
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1450
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:24 pm
Contact:

Re: Would anybody be interested in a 32" Scale IV to VI conversion?

Post by BTL » Wed Aug 01, 2018 7:17 pm

Yes, this is definitely a bass-player's VI.

Most acoustic instruments have a fixed distance, fixed angle bridge saddle.

I imagined that splitting the single saddle in half and making it adjustable would be a satisfactory solution, especially for a matched set of wound strings.

Still, a six saddle bridge is a possibility I haven't completely ruled out.

It turns out that Bruce Johnson and Keith Horne fabricated a one-off six-saddle bridge for a very similar project.

My only concern would be how the lower strings might need to wrap around the intonation screws to meet the saddle groove:

Image

Image
Owner, Lowe Custom Guitars

User avatar
BTL
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1450
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:24 pm
Contact:

Re: Would anybody be interested in a 32" Scale IV to VI conversion?

Post by BTL » Tue Aug 14, 2018 5:06 pm

Well...I won't commit to timeframes, but I'm definitely going to make this happen.

:)
Owner, Lowe Custom Guitars

User avatar
WillPhistre
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 7:04 am

Re: Would anybody be interested in a 32" Scale IV to VI conversion?

Post by WillPhistre » Wed Aug 15, 2018 7:39 am

Well I definitely want to hear one. I play bass vi 100% of the time, so this is very interesting. (I'm more of a guitar-VI-er tho)

User avatar
WillPhistre
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 95
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2015 7:04 am

Re: Would anybody be interested in a 32" Scale IV to VI conversion?

Post by WillPhistre » Thu Aug 16, 2018 7:31 am

I keep thinking about this. And I have some questions!

Any idea what the conversion package would cost?

Would you be willing to sell the bridges separately? (good hardtail bridges for Bass VI are basically non-existent)

Are you the creator of that red bass in your profile pic? Is that what you'd make a Bass VI out of if you were to just sell a ready-made model? Because I would be very interested in that. (thing is badass, btw) What would that cost?

Which neck heels would the conversion necks fit? It couldn't be a one-size-fits-all thing, right? (I know that's not the case for guitars, but I haven't looked into replacement bass necks ever, so sorry if that's a dumb question)

All in all, congrats — my interest is totes piqued. My favorite VI I've ever owned was a chinese strat copy with a 30" conversion neck — I never thought pickups that cheap could sound that amazing, and now I want to explore the world of cheap bass bodies!

User avatar
BTL
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1450
Joined: Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:24 pm
Contact:

Re: Would anybody be interested in a 32" Scale IV to VI conversion?

Post by BTL » Mon Dec 24, 2018 9:07 pm

Hey, Will...sorry about the delayed reply.

The necks will be about $600, and the bridge another $100 or so.

Yes, the Ridler could be built as a Bass VI-32.

The heel would be an American Standard, so it would fit Warmoth, Allparts, Mighty Mite, USACG, etc.
Owner, Lowe Custom Guitars

Post Reply