22 fret neck to 24 fret neck?!
Question: I am working on a guitar that originally came with a 22 fret neck. I was trying to add a different neck but this neck only comes with 24 frets. Can I replace it or not?
Answers: I am working on a guitar that originally came with a 22 fret neck. I was trying to add a different neck but this neck only comes with 24 frets. Can I replace it or not?
Hi Jonathan--
The answer is "maybe." If, when in place, the new 24-fret neck measures roughly the same distance from bridge to nut as the 22-fret neck (i.e., has roughly the same scale, plus or minus about half to three-quarters of an inch, which is about the same length that the two extra frets add to a 24-fret neck), then there shouldn't be any problem. If it's any more than that, then you may run into intonation problems to where you may not be able to move the string saddles far enough either forward or backward to compensate for the extra length of the 24-fret neck. If this were the case, then you'd be looking at relocating the bridge a bit further up the guitar's body to allow for proper intonation; not something I'd recommend ANYBODY try unless they don't mind potentially wrecking their guitar (and hey, who in their right mind does?).
One final thing to consider is, will the new neck fit into the guitar's body without the extra overhang of the 23rd and 24th frets hitting the neck pickup?
If your scale (bridge to nut) stays within 1/2 to 3/4 inch of the original, and you don't have any spacing issues between the upper fret overhang and the guitar's neck pickup, then it's a feasible project.
By the way, I'm sure those of us reading this would love to see "before" and "after" pics, if you do go ahead with the project.
Hope this helps; best of luck!
Well, if it fits right then maybe,
you may have to use sand paper...