Short scale neck on a Reactor?

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KevinJ
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Short scale neck on a Reactor?

Post by KevinJ » Thu Mar 10, 2011 10:30 am

This is my first post in a long while. I used to log in as Whiskeyrebel but my profile lapsed.

On my last work trip, I decided to see whether my Peavey Reactor would fit in a carry-on suitcase with the neck unbolted. Looked like the body would have fit but the neck was too long.

Rather than get a whole new guitar just for trips, especially a small-bodied "travel" guitar or child-size guitar, I was thinking maybe just get a spare short-scale neck that would fit in a suitcase.

Anyone know whether a short scale T-15 or T-30 neck would match the Reactor? The bolt pattern and heel size are big factors, as well as whether the saddles have enough adjustment range to compensate intonation.

Box
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Re: Short scale neck on a Reactor?

Post by Box » Thu Mar 10, 2011 11:51 am

The space between the neck screws is different on the full and short scale guitars. Could possibly drill out holes in the neck to make it fit. But not sure how well intonation and all would pan out.
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KevinJ
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Re: Short scale neck on a Reactor?

Post by KevinJ » Fri Mar 11, 2011 11:30 am

The shorter scale is just a roundabout way to make the neck shorter overall. I'm not looking for a way to change the string tension or fret spacing or tone.

I'm beginning to think that I'd be better off modifying the headstock to 3+3 or 4+2 and cutting it down. At least if the current headstock shape has room to work it out geometrically.

Box
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Re: Short scale neck on a Reactor?

Post by Box » Fri Mar 11, 2011 2:29 pm

Know you said you didn't want a separate guitar, but at that point I'd be looking for a T-15 or what have you.
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KevinJ
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Re: Short scale neck on a Reactor?

Post by KevinJ » Fri Mar 11, 2011 5:30 pm

What about instead, a neck with a shorter headstock that is compatible without mods? Which models had 3+3 or 4+2 headstocks?

Box
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Re: Short scale neck on a Reactor?

Post by Box » Fri Mar 11, 2011 6:26 pm

Firenza, Wolfgang, and HP are 3+3.
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Korg Monotron
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Peavey Fury 1992
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KevinJ
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Re: Short scale neck on a Reactor?

Post by KevinJ » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:40 pm

DO they have the same bolt pattern as the Reactor? Some Peavey bolt necks have a heel that is cutaway on the treble side if memory serves.

Box
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Re: Short scale neck on a Reactor?

Post by Box » Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:41 pm

I think the bolt pattern may be different on them. But I want to say the pocket size is the same. Could just drill out to fit the Reactor.
I Peavey________
Ensoniq VFX
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Korg Triton
Peavey Fury 1992
Peavey KB-300
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GennyFan
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Re: Short scale neck on a Reactor?

Post by GennyFan » Sun Mar 13, 2011 5:12 am

It won't work. Don't go drilling anything, unless you want to ruin your guitar.

http://hubpages.com/hub/guitarfret

Fret placement is designed based on a specific distance from the bridge saddle, i.e., the scale of the neck. If you change the neck to one with a shorter scale, the logarithm used to calculate the fret distances will no longer be correct, and the guitar won't intonate properly.

Why not just get a slightly bigger suitcase?

KevinJ
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Re: Short scale neck on a Reactor?

Post by KevinJ » Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:11 pm

GennyFan wrote:It won't work. Don't go drilling anything, unless you want to ruin your guitar.

http://hubpages.com/hub/guitarfret

Fret placement is designed based on a specific distance from the bridge saddle, i.e., the scale of the neck. If you change the neck to one with a shorter scale, the logarithm used to calculate the fret distances will no longer be correct, and the guitar won't intonate properly.

Why not just get a slightly bigger suitcase?
Didn't want to check the bag with a guitar in it. Even a tough old brick like the Reactor.

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