Hello, could do with advice on guitar customisation

Nutter · April 4th, 2008, 05:53 PM

Well this would be my first post here, so hello and sorry if I've popped this in the wrong section, I'm pretty stupid at times.

I've been running my Squire Strat for a year and four months now, I started playing electric guitar Christmas 2007, after a five year break, before that I played acoustic for two years, I'm thinking of upgrading my guitar sometime this year but keeping my Strat to modify it, I could do with some major advice on what I want to do.

The plan is to convert my Squire Stratocaster into a bass to supplement my bass rhythm style, now I don't wish to buy a bass as I find them extremely uncomfortable to play and I don't wish to buy an expensive guitar to work on,
What I've thought of doing is:
-Swap the neck for a longer one (not sure on the fret numbers a normal bass would use).
-Reinforce the neck by building it myself or using other methods.
-Replace the single coil pick-ups with lower frequency bass pick-ups.
-Raise the action so I can down tune normal guitar strings to Bass tunings without clearance problems.
-Keep the original Strat body, control placement and 6-string arrangement.
-Wire up a pull-push adjustable tone system if possible (down for one pup, up fro another pup)
-Two volume knobs or a Pull-Push one with the last knob to be decided upon.

My real worry is coming from whether I can use normal guitar strings at a lower tuning as a bass or would I need the thick strings, which I find a major discomfort along with what the total price range would be.
Any help or nit picking would be great, this would be my first go at modifying a guitar but I really want to do it once I have another guitar later in the year.

Again, sorry if this is the wrong section and thanks for the read

nvosmeier · April 4th, 2008, 07:41 PM

It would probably be better and cheaper just to get a bass. You can get a good used MIM Fender P or J bass for < $300.00

bobthecanadian · April 5th, 2008, 07:07 PM

it's a guitar, not a bass, leave it that way. You can do a thousand different to make a Squier into something quite awesome. Some new pups, and tuners gets your guitar into a whole new level of playability.

nvosmeier · April 5th, 2008, 10:41 PM

Maybe you should look for a 6-string baritone. I have a CIJ Fender Jaguar 6-string baritone. I love mine.

I think that you would spend a lot of money on trying to convert a strat into a bass, and you probably would not get the results that you want.

But if you do it, be sure to show some pics. I would like to see it.

Strat God · April 6th, 2008, 01:31 AM

Unfortunately, I've never seen a successful transformation from guitar to bass.

You may want to look at a Mustang bass though - they are probably the closest in size to a regular guitar.

Nutter · April 6th, 2008, 06:39 AM

Well thanks for showing an interest in my idea

I will eventually attempt the conversation at some point and photos are a guaranteed as I'll end up asking for help eventually -.- even if it doesn't go as planned its an experience and a lesson you know

I don't wish to by a bass as I find them to uncomfortable to play mostly due to the string size but it might be a good idea to buy one sometime as I'm told I'd be more suited to it (I play bass already on my stratocaster but its to high toned and tuned).

nvosmeier · April 6th, 2008, 06:07 PM

Sounds to me like you want a baritone.

thaus · May 29th, 2008, 04:25 PM

Get a short-scale bass......I bought one locally for $50 earlier in the year and it looks a little miniature but it's like playing a guitar since the scale is the same. I love it.......great for recording and looks like my strats!!

Nutter · June 3rd, 2008, 04:44 PM

Okay well sorry to bring this up from the dead (5days old?) just want to give an update and ask for some more help.

I've decided to go and get a proper bass now as I've played a few and found that I find them more..enjoyable to play after the first few attempts, just need to save up and get a bass amp and bass

I'm now in need to replacement parts for my stratocaster, I've noticed a small hairline crack developing in the middle of my fretboard from the 20th fret to the end nearest the pick-ups (fret and a half in length I think) and my bridge has been damaged (low-e and high-e saddles are damaged) also I've got 1/4 of a trem bar in it still

My main questions are:
If fender replacement parts will fit my squire stratocaster?
Another is since I've got a 6-hole bridge can I get a vintage bridge on there (guessing i'll need a vintage neck as well)?
Also, will I be able to put a 24fret neck on my guitar or will it damage the body/bridge/itself at all?

thaus · June 4th, 2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutter

Okay well sorry to bring this up from the dead (5days old?) just want to give an update and ask for some more help.

I've decided to go and get a proper bass now as I've played a few and found that I find them more..enjoyable to play after the first few attempts, just need to save up and get a bass amp and bass

I'm now in need to replacement parts for my stratocaster, I've noticed a small hairline crack developing in the middle of my fretboard from the 20th fret to the end nearest the pick-ups (fret and a half in length I think) and my bridge has been damaged (low-e and high-e saddles are damaged) also I've got 1/4 of a trem bar in it still

My main questions are:
If fender replacement parts will fit my squire stratocaster?
Another is since I've got a 6-hole bridge can I get a vintage bridge on there (guessing i'll need a vintage neck as well)?
Also, will I be able to put a 24fret neck on my guitar or will it damage the body/bridge/itself at all?

1)Most Fender parts will fit the Squier (at least I have had luck that way). Measure the neck pocket and order an AllParts replacement. Very good necks for the money.

2)The bridge thing is a little more difficult since string spacing varies. Again, take measurements and if you want a great bridge, try Callaham. I think he makes a MIM replacement which may match your Squier.

3) Good question but one I really cannot answer!!

Nutter · June 4th, 2008, 05:21 PM

Thanks for the help info, answered some big questions for me

I looked at Callaham's site but it confused the jebus out of me..I got lost in all the text and photos, so if anyone would be kind enough to give me a some names of certain types of his to look into, it'd be grand.