Fretboard extension mod, 21 - 24 Possible??

[smithy01]

Hey guys,
I'm wondering if I can add an extra inch to my neck to accumulate the extra 3 frets from 21 to 24. I was wondering whether or not this would work with my current 22" scale as i like it. so can i do it so that I won't need to move the pups just the bridge as I haven't marked out its placement yet. All I see is the neck being a drop longer so I figured my pups are fine where they are. If you could get answer ASAP, that be great. Thanks have a good weekend.

 

[KenG]

In simple terms no.
The issue is intonation and bridge placement is based on the exact distance from the 12th fret to the bridge, if you change that the neck's scale is ruined. You could extend your fretboard more into the body area to add frets. but it would look like hell and ruin your guitars value as well.
If for some reason you NEED 24 frets then sell your current guitar and buy one with 24 frets.

 

[56GT]

The distance from the saddle to the 12th fret is half the scale length, ~12-3/8" in the case of a LP, in other words the 12th fret is centered between the nut and saddles. Proper intonation relies on this measurement. So yeah, if you want 24 frets, buy a guitar with 24 frets.

 

[DPaulCustom]

I won't need to move the pups just the bridge as I haven't marked out its placement yet:

Is this a guitar you're building? Never heard of a 22" scale.
To my understanding, scale is from nut to 12th fret = x
from 12th fret to bridge has to equal x also.
As long as these two numbers are the same, you should be able to add as many frets as you want (provided they're laid out correctly)
Gibson takes it's 24.75 scale, & adds 2 frets on the SG junior models, so I don't see any reason you cant add frets, as long as the numbers add up, x = x.
How 'bout some pictures of what you're doing?
We luv pix here!!

 

[smithy01]

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here's some pics it's an epi lp express that's why its a 22 scale but I prefer it to my sg so.

 

[smithy01]

What if I change the scale? Would I the be able to to keep my pups where they are?

 

[Freddy G]

What if I change the scale? Would I the be able to to keep my pups where they are?

Yes. You'll have to change it quite a bit though.

 

[smithy01]

How would i do that?

 

[Freddy G]

math.

 

[Barnaby]

As I understand it (and I am not a luthier by any means) there are four basic ways you can get the result you want.

1) put some sort of fingerboard extension over the neck pickup (easy, but probably a bad look and screws with height adjustments). I've even seen a plastic pickup cover with molded frets on top.

2) move the pickup towards the bridge and simply add a bit onto the board (I think this is the best option)

3) build a new, slightly longer neck with 24 frets. This will probably entail moving the bridge.

4) fit 24 frets into the place of 22 on the current neck, which will also need the bridge moved and change your scale length.

As Freddy says, you will need mathematics for (3) or (4). Also, they will change the sound and feel of your guitar quite a bit and you may like the result less. Plenty of online resources to help with fret placement, anyway. Use the online Stewmac fret position calculator as a start.

 

[robertoa1a]

I have an Epi LP Prophecy GX with 24 frets. Same body and scale The bridge and pickups were moved. The neck and case is longer.

Not sure if this is helpful because your pickup routs are already cut. You may have room.

Look at the bridge position.

 

[LowThudd]

Man, you have had that guitar apart more than you've played it. lol
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/epiphone-les-pauls/311355-epiphone-les-paul-express-wiring.html
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/epi...iphone-les-paul-express-fretboard-radius.html

Are you sure you are up for this?

And, no you would need to change the scale length or move the pup, the bridge or both.

 

[dspelman]

If you want to place the 24th fret in about the same position that the 22nd fret would normally be (roughly even with the bottom of the cutaway curve), you'll extend the neck by about 3/4" and need to move the bridge (and possibly the bridge pickup) by about the same amount toward the neck pickup. This is an example:

A LONGER scale would allow you to run 24 frets (with the 24th fret in about the same position) without moving the bridge and bridge pickup, depending on the scale selected.

 

[smithy01]

so I'm going to have to my the bridge pup about half inch forward as the bridge would start at the bottom of the pup so annoyed as it's only half in away lol, here's my extension pre shaping. I used thin bit's as it's all I got, it's maple so it will matche's the neck at least. Iits pretty solid on the end there, I'm going to drill the holes a little bigger and make some maple dowel.

 

[LowThudd]

You ARE kidding us right?

 

[olrac]

You ARE kidding us right?

I think not

 

[ARandall]

I hope that bit of wood in the pic isn't the final one. It looks like "5-year-olds first woodworking project". Not to mention that its not wide enough. These are where the bolts for the neck connection are going to go......it needs to be a little more solid than the average joint. Plus you have to glue the fretboard to it and there will be part of the last frets with an overhang.

Unless this guitar is just a project one not destined for the forces of strings tuned to pitch.

 

[robertoa1a]

I would get BCR-Greg's opinion on this.

 

[Skyjerk]

This is definitely a good guitar to practice all these hacks on, as long as theres no expectation that it'll ever sound good or look good (or even be playable at all). Looks like $99

 

[smithy01]

Ffs im not finished yet thats why i said pre finishing lols. I know its not perfectly flat and theres a bit missing from it. I dont see it even close to being considered finished.