Guitar scale length...

working on a fretboard and started wondering...
Scale length has never really mattered to me. I adjust after playing
a guitar for a short time. I normally have other issues with a guitar
that may not be right- mostly set-up stuff.
 
So, is scale length something you know about or ask about when
you purchase a guitar?
If so, do you know why or is it just "feeling"?
And sure, this is for bass players too.
 
Just curious.

It depends.

I don't know how John Lennon (or anyone else) could play those super short scale Ric's he used.

And I'm not a fan of short scale basses. But a lot of that is I just like some tension in my bass strings.

But generally I think of it in terms of sound more than feel. And I would always rather just adapt my technique, than I would compromise the sound to make it "easier" to play. Whenever people start talking about choosing an instrument based on it being "easier to play" I always think, "Does anyone out there listening care at all whether an artist's instrument was easy to play?".

Mesh


I aviod all scales.....especially the one in the bathroom!

I read somewhere that a longer scale guitars have more tension and the shorter ones are more looser allowing more bendability as well as less buzzing/fret noise. I suppose each persons technique may also play a role in this (shredders may like a longer scale/fretboard and blues/jazzy guitarist may like the a shorter scale where they can use  heavier guage strings to get a thicker sound).

Mesh I have to disagree with the info you read. Specifically "less buzzing/fret noise" for short scales and also the
use of heavier guage strings for short scales. You may want to check that out a little more.
 
 
Thanks Drew. I too lean to listening as I the only issue I've had with comfort has been in the set-up, as I mentioned, more than the scale length. I really have trouble relating to issues with scale length unless I consider a person with very small hands.
 
Bapu.....very inter resting.

I must not since I own a Fender Jazzmaster ( 25.5" ), Stratocaster ( 24.75"  25.5) and a Duo-Sonic ( 22.5" ).  I've got short stubby fingers as well so width does play an important part.

Thanks for the correction Spacey, I looked these up but I guess my first source was wrong ...

You just adapt.  As long as it plays in tune and doesn't buzz it's aces with me.  (That and being very slim like I like)

Steve,

I might have to consider The Moob Situation on the next bass I have built for me.

SteveStrummerUK

bapu


Steve,

I might have to consider The Moob Situation on the next bass I have built for me.

 
Just get a much much much much much much longer strap

Simples.

spacey

Mesh


I aviod all scales.....especially the one in the bathroom!

I read somewhere that a longer scale guitars have more tension and the shorter ones are more looser allowing more bendability as well as less buzzing/fret noise. I suppose each persons technique may also play a role in this (shredders may like a longer scale/fretboard and blues/jazzy guitarist may like the a shorter scale where they can use  heavier guage strings to get a thicker sound).

Mesh I have to disagree with the info you read. Specifically "less buzzing/fret noise" for short scales and also the
use of heavier guage strings for short scales. You may want to check that out a little more.
 
 
Thanks Drew. I too lean to listening as I the only issue I've had with comfort has been in the set-up, as I mentioned, more than the scale length. I really have trouble relating to issues with scale length unless I consider a person with very small hands.
 
Bapu.....very inter resting.

To be honest Michael, I really don't have a clue on the intricacies in the scale length. (I never looked into the details on this....if it sounds good and is easy in my hands....I was interested in the guitar).
Yeah, that article was given to me awhile back and that's what I remember from it......(from what you say, I prolly should've forgotten this).

Mesh it seems that one doesn't need to know....I know I played for many years
and never give it a thought.

I do think it's great information and may really help folks make a right choice should they
have physical considerations or be purchasing for a child.

I think that information and one knowing about nut action could possibly keep a child
playing that would otherwise find to uncomfortable to enjoy.

I wish I'd known more about this years back when I taught.

So, is scale length something you know about or ask about when 
you purchase a guitar? 

my first decent guitar i had, as a kid, was a Fender Mustang.


it has a 24" scale length, just like the Fender Jaguar.


i didn't know about scale length when i bought it, i just liked the look of it.
LOL




later, i found out that Brian May, who was a big influence on my early on, used the 24" scale length on his custom Red Special.


Later, i bought a nice Ibanez Artist, and it had the gibson scale length, 24.75".
this felt very comfy to me.


i found whenever i tried to play a Fender with the strat scale length, 25.5", i couldn't reach certain stretches and i didn't like the feel of the tension in the strings.






so i settled on the gibson scale length for all my guitars, until i built my own version of the may red Special, a true hybrid that incorporated a LOT of things into it:


The Williams Special.










i commissioned this custom guitar, it is a Les paul-strat-mustang-explorer hybrid.
-built by Stan Williams, Rome Georgia

-based on the Fender Mustang scale length....also similar to brian may's red special.
-honduras mahogany body, with air cavities.
-flame maple top, 3/8" thick.
-blueprint strat body.
-2-piece flame maple neck, with ebony fingerboard.
-no truss rod, there are (2) pieces of aircraft aluminum running the length of the fretboard.
-flame veneered headstock, front, sides, and back.
-24" scale length.
-jumbo frets.
-custom inlays (mother of pearl, diamonds, with a diamond split around the center pickup.
-Kahler 2300 pro tremelo.
-(3) off/on switches
-master volume, master tone, 3rd switch now unwired- it was originally equipped with a EMG SA assembly, and the 3rd knob was the presence control. it now has (2) bill lawrence L-280's, and a duncan Little 59'r in it.
-explorer headstock.
-long tenon neck, tilt back headstock.



i love this guitar, but since i had this one made, i've built 4 custom guitars based around the fender Strat design, but with Gibson scale length conversion necks.

my carvin has a gibson scale length.


radius, is another thing i'm particular about.
i like 12". nothing less, and can tolerate the flatter 14" radius.

it's just a personal thing.

Danny Danzi


The feel of a guitar is what matters to me. The sound we can always improve in my opinion. :)

I agree Danny. As the issue has been "Me"....now I'm learning that these measurements may be
of great importance to others.
 
 
Bat- that's a fine example of a player that notices the string tension.
Due to my physical make-up I guess it's something that I never noticed due to not having any problem
reaching or bending on a 25.5.   Of course when I was young if it had been pointed out I very well may
have noticed.
 
 

Does scale length have a bearing on jamming the guitar into the face of my cab and going....weeeehhheeeeeeouuuuwwwwaaaaoooooowwwwooooo?

If not I have no preference.

bapu


Steve,

I might have to consider The Moob Situation 

I really can't comment on this since I don't watch the Jersey Shore.  Hope that helps.

OK, I'll admit it...I had to look up 'guitar scale length' cause I had no idea what you're talking about.  Unfortunately, the definition didn't help much either: lol

A guitar's scale length is the distance between the bone nut or zero fret and the bridge's saddle.

BUT, I'm up to playing 3 octaves on the bass now and having way more fun than I thought possible on a guitar.  AND I've learned about 10 new chords on the guitar.  I have no idea what size either of them are.  I know there are better instruments out there, but until I see a need to I won't be buying anything for awhile.  But it's fun.  :)  Anyway...thanks for the info, Michael, in case I do ever buy something else. 

Thanks!  :)  I'll admit...I'm such a novice it doesn't really matter, but it may some day. :)