Scale length and strings

[William Walstra]

I know that different scale lengths will give different tensions to the strings (about a gauge I hear,) but which is which? For instance, if I have a set of 10's on an LP would that feel like 11's or 9's on a strat?


May be lame, but I still wanna know

 

[aleclee]

Re: Scale length and strings

A shorter scale will have less tension with the same gauge strings so they may feel lighter.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Scale length and strings

They'd feel much closer to 9's than 11's.

Longer scale = more tension on the same guage tuned to the same pitch. Put the exact same strings on a Strat and an LP and the Strat will feel like an LP tuned up to F (from E).

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: Scale length and strings

Well i use 10s on a les paul and 9s on a strat. Higher string guages have more tension.

 

[H8Red442]

Re: Scale length and strings

i have 10's on my two LP customs and on both of my American Riches. The LPs have 22 and the Riches 24 frets. They're both the same scale. The Riches feel looser. I dunno what any of that has to do with anything but I felt i need to contribute.

 

[SwedeNuck]

Re: Scale length and strings

The 10's on a strat would feel like 11's on your LP. But there's always other things to consider like fingerboard radius, neck relief, and how low you set your strings. Every guitar sets up a little different, for instance I can rock 11's in standard on my Ibanez, but I prefer 10's on my Heritage and ESP. The ESP and Ibanez are the same scale length, actually the ESP may be slightly longer I'm not sure, but the Heritage is a short scale.