Is that the same as the Fender Bass VI ? In that case I imagine having seen some MIJ or CIJ - might be cheaper and still good !

Warmoth also does baritone scale conversion necks that will bolt right onto a standard Fender or Fender style body... as another option.

you can do it, but to maintain proper string tension you would need some pretty fat strings. Just get a 7 string set and leave out one string. most 7 string guitars are 25.5" scale length anyways.
if you balance gauge with the tuning there will be no increase in overall string tension.
but you will need the nut slot enlarged and some possible tweaks on the truss rod and springs. nothing major though.

I've had a '75 Les Paul tuned down to Drop C with no issues, using Ernie Ball 10-52 Skiny Top Heavy Bottom strings. Minor setup work to accomodate, nothing major.

Also had my Squier bullet strat set up in baritone tuning, drop A... I used baritone strings, but I've also used the bottom 6 out of a 7 string pack. Again, you will have to tweak the truss rod and re-intonate, and probably file out the slots for the bigger strings.

Although, if you're going to buy a 500-600 dollar guitar anyway, why not just pick up a baritone? Look for an Agile or an Epiphone Baritone LP... those are both great baritones, for not a lot of bucks. The Agile bari LP style was a little nicer IMO, as it retained the full LP style control setup, but either are decent. Drop in a Duncan JB in the bridge position, and you're set!

Another great baritone that's a little more like a strat (comparatively, anyway) is the PRS SE Mike Mushok Baritone. It comes in silverburst or a more traditional tobbacco burst... that one is great right out of the box, but it's probably a hundred or two more than the other two.

Warmoth also does baritone scale conversion necks that will bolt right onto a standard Fender or Fender style body... as another option.

Warmoth also does baritone scale conversion necks that will bolt right onto a standard Fender or Fender style body... as another option.

Interesting. Warmoth makes one, but how is setting up the intonation and tuning?
Just wondering? Toppscore

I have great luck with open C tuning. Any lower than that seems to require either larger gauge strings or raising the saddles and adjusting intonation.

Not terribly difficult and no buzzing with higher gauge strings....it's all about tension and adjusting saddle height and sitting there with a screwdriver adjusting intonation....VERY patiently, mind you. I never had to worry about any adjustment at all tuning down to C. It's just that extra note drop that gets a little tricky. This was for a telecaster too which is a solid bridge and tailpiece. I have no idea how well it'll work with a Strat or another guitar with a Trem. I tried it a couple of times on a guitar with a Floyd Rose setup. Didn't work. Didn't even try to do any bridge or nut or neck adjustments then. Just went right back to standard tuning on that one....then I sold the guitar.

Ok- this is the one I'm talking about

Is that the same as American Subsonic strat?