opinion on guitars of different scales

[pac112]

whats your opinion on how much effect the scale has on playability.. for eg, how much different does a SG(24.75) play comparared to the 25.5 Strat. Not comparing the tone, neck shape/width and so on.. your opinion bases striclty on the differences based on the scale length.. and are they really that much different to you?..

which scale length do you like from the playability aspect?

 

[rocksoldier]

Re: opinion on guitars of different scales

Well, i have one of each, an epi sg and a jackson.
To me, the 25,5 just feels "better" perhaps beacause i have pretty large hands.
I have no problem with 24,75 either, but i simply prefer the longer scale.

 

[Loserchief]

Re: opinion on guitars of different scales

i'm used to B.C Rich and they are 25.5 I have a LP clone and it's not so bad but for me the longer scale combined with jumbo frets is just more comfortable

 

[madstrummer]

Re: opinion on guitars of different scales

The shorter scale has less tension, so you can play heavier strings like .011's and have them feel like .010's on the long scale 25.5 inch. It is easier to play complex chords on a short scale, but there is more room to solo way up high on a long scale.
I like both, but they are very different feeling. The shorter 24 3/4 is mellower on attack and the 25.5 is twangy with more pop and snap on the attack. Therefore Les Pauls often sound smoother than Strats.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: opinion on guitars of different scales

here is waht you have to keep in mind...the shorter scale does make it easire to play...but so does a flatter radius, as well as fatter frets, as well as set up, and Strats are usally a tad easier to play due to the tremolo...to do a perfect shootout you would have to have both a 24.75, and a 25.5 scale guitar with the same radius, fret size, and set-up the same.

That said IMO, a GIbson scale is LOTS easier to lay that a Fender scale...I know it's only 3/4 of an inch but it makes a big difference.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: opinion on guitars of different scales

I think the 25.5" scale seems to intonate better, sound deeper and does have just a bit more tension than 24.75". String bending is easier on the 24 3/4" scale because the strings feel looser and, IMO, sloppier.

I prefer the longer scale. The longer scale is what you'll find on most jazz guitars, like the Gibson L-5. That's because it sounds...what's the right word? :smack: "Better"! :laugh2:

 

[BenderR]

Re: opinion on guitars of different scales

The difference between a 24.75" scale and a 25.5" scale is about 3% so we are talking a matter of degrees of difference. There aren't any absolutes here (at least that I am aware of) just generalities.

Even though I have smallish hands I find that the 25.5" scale is a lot more comfortable to me. This becomes even more important when I am doing complex chord work. As mentioned in an earlier post fretboard radius is another variable and IMHO this may impact the feel of a neck to a greater degree than scale. I guess that all I am trying to say is this; play whatever feels good to you.

 

[kherman]

Re: opinion on guitars of different scales

I find I prefer 24 3/4" or 25" scales.
25 1/2" is pushing it.
These 26", 27", and up scales coming out on these 7 strings and Baritones, forget it.
Too much of a stretch for me.
I have small hands, and do notice the difference in fret spacing.
Not so much with the 24 3/4 to 25.
But, definitely with the 24 3/4 to 25 1/2.

Kent

 

[seafoamer]

Re: opinion on guitars of different scales

I prefer the longer scale. The longer scale is what you'll find on most jazz guitars, like the Gibson L-5. That's because it sounds...what's the right word? :smack: "Better"! :laugh2:

I wonder if Joe Pass, Jim Hall, Tal Farlow, or Pat Metheny, would agree?

I play 24 3/4 inch scale exclusively. Feels better and sounds fabulous to me.

 

[pac112]

Re: opinion on guitars of different scales

thanks for the opinions ! they really help..
becos of my inexperience of playing, i was wondering if it was only me who felt quite a difference playing 25.5 and 24.75.. apparently not.. haha.

 

[MikeS]

Re: opinion on guitars of different scales

It's hard to say for me, since nothing on the neck of my LP is similar to the 25.5" necks I have.

I will say that I notice the scale difference from time to time, especially when going from one scale to another immediatly. The short scale is more favorable to my hands when chording and using the lower frets. The long scale feels a lot better when soloing high up on the neck - I just have more room for my fingers to move around.