New SII 6 Build. Balanced K Med Scale

[JPMcGuire]

Hey all after years of trials I finally kicked off my dream SII 6 last week.  It’ll be a balanced k med scale.  I play in all kinda of genres so went for a versatile and a little lower weight wood formula.  Walnut top and maple back compared to coco etc.   I play everything from big churches, jazz trios and a new dead/alman b project that’s coming together pretty well. 

I have a newer series one 4 with this wood combo.  But it’s a 34 long scale with the classic taper. I like it. 

For a 32 6 I’m really debating between the comfort taper and the classic taper. Not sure if a difference in neck thickness.  Playing my S1 which is a balanced k omega I could see the 32 being easier to reach and similar neck reach to my old fenders which I like.  The classic taper for a six says 2” at nut and 3.125” at 24. Seems like that would translate pretty nice between playing my s1. I’d assume same string spacing at bridge. 

The Phil L spec.  Is it the classic?  Or a little different?

Thanks all for your advice on dialing in the right neck dimensions!

JP

[hdfixer]

MY SII 6 32" Lesh copy (purchased used) on the order sheet has Nut=1.95", 24th 2.92".  It's pretty great! 

[JPMcGuire]

Thanks.  Super helpful.  Then definitely the comfort taper for a 6 at 2.2 nut and 3.56” would be huge to me.   

[dannobasso]

Mine was Phil spec. I really enjoy it. I’m sure you’ll love yours.

[adriaan]

Great specs!

In the back-and-forth about the specs for my 6er (34") we settled on a mix of Comfort (my Epic 4) at the nut but slightly narrower, and Classic (my Spoiler 4) for the bridge and perhaps slightly wider.

Mica had a nifty script she could punch some numbers into, and this is what it spat out:

scale length = 34
string dia. 1=.030 2=.045 3=.065 4=.080 5=.105 6=.128

at nut end:
      fingerboard width = 2
  treble edge allowance = .15
    bass edge allowance = .15
   string center 1 to 2 = 0.3242
   string center 2 to 3 = 0.3242
   string center 3 to 4 = 0.3242
   string center 4 to 5 = 0.3242
   string center 5 to 6 = 0.3242
spacing between 1 and 2 = 0.2867
spacing between 2 and 3 = 0.2692
spacing between 3 and 4 = 0.2517
spacing between 4 and 5 = 0.2317
spacing between 5 and 6 = 0.2077

at bridge end:
  treble edge allowance = .15
    bass edge allowance = .15
   string center 1 to 2 = 0.6275
   string center 2 to 3 = 0.645
   string center 3 to 4 = 0.6625
   string center 4 to 5 = 0.6825
   string center 5 to 6 = 0.7065
spacing between 1 and 2 = .59
spacing between 2 and 3 = .59
spacing between 3 and 4 = .59
spacing between 4 and 5 = .59
spacing between 5 and 6 = .59
    string edge to edge = 3.403
(projected) fingerboard width at bridge = 3.703

fingerboard width at nut     = 2
fingerboard width at 24th fret = 3.27725
fingerboard width at 25th fret = 3.30114551137577
fingerboard length             = 25.9770683422056

That nut spacing might be a tad narrow for some people.

[JPMcGuire]

Thanks. Super helpful.  My only experience with sixes is with mtd and ken smiths.  Nuts were 2" to 2.2.  I liked the 2"   when it comes time to dial it in with mica I'll just go with the calculator for using a 2" nut and approx 17mm string spacing similar to my s1. 

[David Houck]

Your style of playing can be a big factor.  I have three six's; two are classic, one is comfort.  I prefer the classic.

Congrats on starting a build!

[JPMcGuire]

Thanks David.  I’m going for this sii6 to be my main bass.  I also have a 73j and a 59p when a fender is just needed.  But hoping I can use this six for any gig.  Fingerstyle, pick, chords, slap

Hopefully the 32 scale sounds full with a defined low b!

I’m leaning toward 2.05” to 2.1 nut
3.125 to 3.2” at 24
A med  to thin d profile
Thinking string spacing would be around 17 which is in the zone from Mtds I dug. But those were 34

This seems close to classic widths

[JPMcGuire]

Thanks all for your feedback here’s what I’m thinking for final spec.  I play Fingerstyle 90%

Scale 32
Nut. 2.05”
Width at 24th. 3.125”
String gaps at bridge? My calcs show 14.6m. But not sure accurate.

Neck thickness
At 1st fret. 0.82”
At 12th fret. 0.93”