#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

How to calculate neck length for a wine box bass

I searched and couldn't find any plans, and maybe I'm using the wrong terms, but I can't find anything explaining how to calculate the proper neck length for a wine box bass guitar. The wine box holds standard sized bottles of wine and it's measurements are: 13"wide, 7" deep, and, what I assume is most important, 19.5" long. Would a standard 32" bass neck work, or will I need to build a custom neck? Is there a way to calculate the proper placement of fret lines etc. for a bass guitar, as well? Thank you so much. When I get this thing built, I will post how I did it and even a youtube link, if possible, so you can hear how it sounds. this seems like a good summer project. Thanks again.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Korrigan on March 30, 2018 at 9:40am

Basically, pick your scale length then pick where you want the bridge to sit on your box, measure from your bridge spot the distance of your scale length and that is where your nut will be. Now you can determine the distance from the edge of the box to your nut. To that distance add the desired length of your headstock as well as how much of the neck you want inside the box. That will be the length of your neck.

For fret placement try https://www.stewmac.com/FretCalculator

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Grandpa on March 30, 2018 at 12:21pm

Good sized box. My last bass I built with a 16" long box. My scale length is 31 1/2". My neck extends 20" out to the nut. Additional 5" for the headstock. The bridge is 11 1/2" from the front of the box, where the neck enters the box. The fretboard is also 20", ends where the neck meets the box, and I had room for 17 frets. Bone nut, jumbo frets. Here's a pic for you to reference. Good luck, and happy buildin'! I offer this info. as a baseline for you to maybe help with your layout.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Grandpa on March 30, 2018 at 12:32pm

Another thought...I built my neck, no truss rod or stiffening bar, so I built it as a 3 stringer. If you opt to use a "factory-style" neck with a truss rod, a 4 stringer should be fine. Once you pick your scale length, measure for your bridge location to be sure you'll like the position relative to playing the bass, and clearance for pickups, if you're going electric. As Korrigan stated, once you have established your scale length, you can go to a bass guitar fret calculator and lay out your fret board. I recommend working in millimeters to lay out the fret positions. Git layout is the only place I use the metric system, but it (I think) allows for finer measurements. A metric yardstick isn't a bad tool for git builders. Hope this is helpful.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JL on April 6, 2018 at 12:53am

Standard Bass Guitar scale is 34", I have a short scale 30" with regular strings that plays fine. eyeball what looks good and plug it into a fret calculator and have a ball. shorter than 30" and you will need to look for special strings, 30+ and you can use standard strings.

HINT from someone else's build, lay out the low string on your mock-up BEFORE you start cutting, you may find that you need to adjust things to keep the silk top-wrap beyond the nut.