Odd Neck Lengths

[silasklug]

So I would like my next guitar to be 27" scale length, but I can not find any templates for one. Can you tell me what you would do or suggestions on where to get one? Thank you for any help.

Edited September 11, 2011 by silasklug

[dpm99]

First, you should buy and read this book if you haven't already:

http://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Own-Electric-Guitar/dp/0953104907

The important thing is that you understand the principles that would support the design of a baritone guitar. At that point, you can design from scratch of adapt a design you like. I'm not sure where you'd just go buy a template for something like that. Do you have any idea what specifically you're looking for, and how much of the work you intend to do yourself?

[Dave_B]

LMII comes close with a 27.5" Would that do it?

SPFS9 fretting template, fingerstyle 25.7” and baritone 27.5” scales In Stock $35.95

Other wise you could buy the 34" bass scale and shift it over 4 frets. That would get you to 26.986" if my math is correct, but you'd want to call to make sure it has enough notches to do the job.

[Tim37]

http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Fretting/i-fretcalc.html

[Dave_B]

I guess it should be clarified, are you looking for a paper template, or metal/plastic one to use with a saw?

[ihocky2]

Let's calrify a little bit to get you the correct answer. Are you looking for a fretting template to lay out the fret spacing or are you looking for a template of the neck taper/profile? Fretting templates are not as hard to get. A template for the taper is a lot harder since there are multiple factors that determine the taper; nut width, bridge width, scale length, number of frets. All of those affect the taper of the neck.

[Juntunen Guitars]

If you are looking for a template there used to be a website called monster guitar shop or something along those lines that had a 27" template but it's been almost 4 years since I looked it up so i'm not sure on that site. Otherwise use the fretscale calculator that Tim37 posted. If you are looking for a paper template just search for it on google. There are several sites where you can print them out for hand sawing fret slots.

[silasklug]

I think I will just use the website for the fretboard scale calculator. I might not do it now, but I really don't know. The baritone idea was more of a "hey that sounds cool" and now is no longer really tempting.

[ElRay]

There's always FretFind2D: http://www.ekips.org/tools/guitar/fretfind2d/

You specify: scale length, string width at the nut, string width at the bridge, fretboard overhang, number of frets & number of strings and it will return a PDF, SVG, DFX, etc. of the designed fretboard. It will even handle compound scaled and non-traditional scales (19 EDO, etc.). Here's a super-simple 27" neck: http://www.ekips.org/tools/guitar/fretfind2d/#len=27&lenF=25&lenL=28&pDist=0.5&nutWidth=1.375&bridgeWidth=2.125&oE=0.09375&oN=0.09375&oB=0.09375&oL=0.09375&oF=0.09375&oNL=0.09375&oNF=0.09375&oBL=0.09375&oBF=0.09375&root=12&scl=%0A!+12tet.scl%0A!%0A12+tone+equal+temperament%0A12%0A!%0A100.0%0A200.%0A300.%0A400.%0A500.%0A600.%0A700.%0A800.%0A900.%0A1000.%0A1100.%0A2%2F1%0A&numFrets=24&numStrings=6&t%5B%5D=0&t%5B%5D=0&t%5B%5D=0&t%5B%5D=0&t%5B%5D=0&t%5B%5D=0&u=in&sl=single&scale=et&o=equal

Ray