Who can build me a custom Ibanez Wizard 7 26" neck?

[Albake21]

Hey everyone. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about figuring out my favorite neck for 7 strings. I've tried 27" and 26.5" scales but they were too long for me. I play and enjoy 25.5" scale but the tension isn't the greatest. So I figured, why not a 26" scale? I've never seen this scale length used although I truly think it would be perfect. It would allow for slightly more tension while not feeling too long.

So, does anyone know a luthier who could build me an Ibanez Wizard neck for my RG but with a 26" scale?

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Seems like a lot of work for very little reward.

We're talking <4% difference in tension, or less of a change from going from a .042" string to a .043" string, which would be just over 5%.

 

[crackout]

A new neck is not sufficient.
Eventually, you will have to move the bridge as well.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

A new neck is not sufficient.
Eventually, you will have to move the bridge as well.

Not if it's built as a conversion neck.

You can work any bridge location changes into the neck pocket.

 

[Lorcan Ward]

I use 26.25" for the lowest string on my multiscales. The tension difference is about a 59 instead of a 60 on a 25.5". There is a noticeable difference in clarity but not enough that I'd get a new neck made and the bridge moved. You'd be better off getting a full custom made instead with a 25.5 - 26.25" neck.

 

[crackout]

Not if it's built as a conversion neck.

/img/

You can work any bridge location changes into the neck pocket.

Yes, but a conversion neck gives the scale length. OP's desired scale won't work.
Messing around with the neck pocket might be even more complicated than moving a (fixed) bridge.

 

[Albake21]

Well I hope you guys are happy, you have shattered my dreams!

Just kidding. Thanks everyone for the input, I guess it wouldn't be worth it then.

 

[djohns74]

Yes, but a conversion neck gives the scale length. OP's desired scale won't work.
Messing around with the neck pocket might be even more complicated than moving a (fixed) bridge.

A conversion neck can be built to any scale length that is desired, so long as the frets wind up in the correct spots. In this case, there would simply be a slightly wider gap between the 24th fret and the neck pickup rather than a 25th fret as would be possible on a 27" conversion. But there's no reason at all that it couldn't be done.

Having said that, I agree with the previous points that there wouldn't be enough of a difference to be worth it.

 

[JimF]

Stating the obvious, but have you experimented with a thicker string gauge?

 

[Albake21]

Stating the obvious, but have you experimented with a thicker string gauge?

Of course, I've done it all. Experimented with the low string from a 64 all the way to a 74. I found 68 to be the sweet spot, but even then it can sound muddy.

 

[JimF]

No problems

 

[canuck brian]

Hey everyone. I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about figuring out my favorite neck for 7 strings. I've tried 27" and 26.5" scales but they were too long for me. I play and enjoy 25.5" scale but the tension isn't the greatest. So I figured, why not a 26" scale? I've never seen this scale length used although I truly think it would be perfect. It would allow for slightly more tension while not feeling too long.

So, does anyone know a luthier who could build me an Ibanez Wizard neck for my RG but with a 26" scale?

Ive done 30 guitars in 26 inch scale. It's seriously barely noticable.