Does one scale length provide bigger tone?

[papersoul]

Do you guys find that longer scale length equals bigger and fuller tone? I am starting to wonder if this is the case. I have had that experience with a Hamer Mirage and wonder if that is just a normal situation that the longer scale will always give a more full and basically bigger tone that can sound huge.

Any opinions?

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Does one scale length provide bigger tone?

Scale length definitely effects tone, that's one of the main reasons (beside woods) that makes a les paul sound like a les paul and a strat a strat.

Longer scale lengths work better for tuning lower, hence why bass and baritone guitars are much longer than standard necks.

I wouldn't neccesarily say that the baritone necks would be fuller than the others because of the length. I could be wrong though. Good question, I'd like to hear others' perspectives on this.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Does one scale length provide bigger tone?

It's funny though because look at all the bands that tune very low with PRS models and Les Pauls. We only tune to Eb and then drop the E to Db so it's not a huge deal. I did notice a difference with my 25.5" Hamer Mirage and that had me thining about a PRS or maybe a Hamer Monaco in the future. That being said.....my short scale Dean Evo Premium sounds justas huge but not quite as clear as the Hamer Mirage (long scale) but I always come back to the more dense and thick lead voice of a short scale guitar.

I remember asking a guy about a Hamer Monaco compared to a Les Paul and he said the Monaco is more versatile and more open, where the Paul is more thick and dense.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Does one scale length provide bigger tone?

In A Nutshell:

Longer Scale = More definition, but the upper strings can sound thin
Shorter Scale = Fatter tone, but the low strings can become muddy.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Does one scale length provide bigger tone?

Do you guys find that longer scale length equals bigger and fuller tone? I am starting to wonder if this is the case. I have had that experience with a Hamer Mirage and wonder if that is just a normal situation that the longer scale will always give a more full and basically bigger tone that can sound huge.

Any opinions?

I think a longer scale length gives a more defined amd deeper, less flabby tone. When I compare my 25 1/2" scale Hamer Monoco to my 24 3/4" Les Paul I always feel like the Monoco gets a bigger, purer tone that's more in tune. The shorter Les Paul responds faster tho, especially when I bend a note. I like them both. Lew

 

[papersoul]

Re: Does one scale length provide bigger tone?

I think a longer scale length gives a more defined amd deeper, less flabby tone. When I compare my 25 1/2" scale Hamer Monoco to my 24 3/4" Les Paul I always feel like the Monoco gets a bigger, purer tone that's more in tune. The shorter Les Paul responds faster tho, especially when I bend a note. I like them both. Lew

Good point Lew! Someone else said something similar in that the LP is more in your face and imediate which lends itself to palm mutes, etc. The Monaco is more swampy and open which is what I was told by a guy who sells many Hamers.

I guess the trick is to have one of each.

Who wants to break the news to my wife? :blackeye: :laugh2:

 

[Old seventies dude]

Re: Does one scale length provide bigger tone?

Hey just do what I did buy an extra case and leave it empty for a couple of months she 'll get used to it then bam one day you fill it with a new guitar. Played a fender all my life except for the 24 fret dean I had stolen I remember the dean had more bass to it........ :newangel:

 

[MattPete]

Re: Does one scale length provide bigger tone?

Check out this guitar with multiple scale lengths:

http://www.novaxguitars.com/Pages/Sales_Fantail_frame.html

 

[StefanM]

Re: Does one scale length provide bigger tone?

Dude, the neck on that guitar is like an Escher drawing!

 

[Dirtyking]

Re: Does one scale length provide bigger tone?

A longer scale has tighter string tension. This gives better clarity and string definition. I played a baritone tuned to C and still liked the loose feel of my Gibson SG's shorter scale in C. Now if I were to tune lower than that I'd look into a longer scale to keep out of the mud.