Scale length for guitars?

[infrared72]

I've been reading some different things on a few sites regarding scale length with guitars. I don't really get what the difference in scale length provides tonally. Obviously, if you have a modern 24 fret neck, there's extra notes up there that you would not have on an older or vintage style Strat. But how does a longer scale length make an instrument better than one with a shorter scale length?

-Peter

 

[3'scompany]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

I've been reading some different things on a few sites regarding scale length with guitars. I don't really get what the difference in scale length provides tonally. Obviously, if you have a modern 24 fret neck, there's extra notes up there that you would not have on an older or vintage style Strat. But how does a longer scale length make an instrument better than one with a shorter scale length?

-Peter

First off, scale length doesn't really dictate number of frets. You can have a 24.75" guitar with 24 frets and a 25.5" with 21 frets (Fender).

Tonally, longer scale length is a bit more percussive and clear, while shorter scale lengths are a bit warmer and looser (in both tone and playability). "Shredders" often prefer the extra clarity of a 25.5" scale lengths.

Really, the reason I choose one scale length over another is comfort and playability over tonal reasons. My hands don't get along with 25.5" scale lengths. I definitely prefer 24.75" and 25" scale lengths as I find bending easier and I can do more extreme stretches. I also find my playing on shorter scale lengths to be a bit "ruder", which I like. YMMV.

 

[danglybanger]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

longer isn't better.

shorter is slinkier and more mellow. (best when coupled with brighter electronics, as on a jag

I prefer 24" and 24.75". It's really down to taste and feel and alot of other factors on individual axes.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

I like 24.6" (Gretsch) and 24.75" (Gibson) the most. Fender just doesn't work for me. I'm not man enough for it I guess.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

And on the other had I find playing in anything bellow 25 (and that just barely) too cramped, especially if I move past the 12th fret.

So, to sum up, preference, pure and simple.
What works best for ya!

 

[Rowan]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

Its really preference in either tone or playability. I prefer both the sound and feel of a 24.75" or 25" scale. The tone is thick and bends can be really fun.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

longer isn't better.shorter is slinkier and more mellow. (best when coupled with brighter electronics, as on a jag I prefer 24" and 24.75". It's really down to taste and feel and alot of other factors on individual axes.

I agree. There's very good reasons for Gibson (and many other companies) using a 24.75" scale.

The 24 fret neck has been discussed in the last few months, and there were a number of responses saying that the extra 2 frets were so narrow that they're next to useless, and the the neck PU is positioned in a different part of the string's vibration & harmonics, and loses some tone quality. On paper, a 24 fret neck sounds like a good idea, but in the real world most players like 21 & 22 fret necks better.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

I feel it really does boil down to preference. I thi neck construction, bridge choice, head stock angle, body shape and wood choice play more of a factor into tone than scale length does alone. My hands are too big for most 24.75 scale necks and 25.5 necks are just a smidgen too long for me. That's why i love my PRS, it gives me the best of both worlds. I'd like to try a Carvin SIngle Cut as well, not too many manufacturers make guitars with 25 scale necks.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

I recently learnerd that Gibsons aren't actually 24 3/4, they're closer to 24 1/2, which is why PRS used that scale on Santana's guitars and the new 245 singlecut. The Stew Mac web site makes reference to this.

So that maybe why someone who gets a Warmoth Les Paul body and 24 3/4" neck made from the materials and specs as a Les Paul still can't get Les Paul tone

 

[theodie]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

I like 24.6" (Gretsch) and 24.75" (Gibson) the most. Fender just doesn't work for me. I'm not man enough for it I guess.

Al, it is possible the Gretesh and Gibson scales may be the same! Do they round up or down to get the 24.6??????
# 24.562" Gibson (24-9/16")
# 24.625" Gibson (24-5/8")


Get it right folks, Gibson does not use a 24.75.

http://www.stewmac.com/fretscales

For electric Gibson's (made now) it is 24 9/16.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

I recently learnerd that Gibsons aren't actually 24 3/4, they're closer to 24 1/2, which is why PRS used that scale on Santana's guitars and the new 245 singlecut. The Stew Mac web site makes reference to this.

So that maybe why someone who gets a Warmoth Les Paul body and 24 3/4" neck made from the materials and specs as a Les Paul still can't get Les Paul tone

I'm guessing this has much to do with the fact that a Warmoth Les Paul will be bolt on instead of set neck... Plus, start changing woods and specs and it'll all start to differ...

 

[jeremy]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

i prefer a longer scale length, but like others said, its personal preferance not a case of one being better than another.

the number of frets can dictate neck pup position, if you have a 24 fret guitar you cant put the neck pup where it would typically be on a les paul, sg, strat, tele, explorer, firebird etc... cause the neck is in the way.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

I'm guessing this has much to do with the fact that a Warmoth Les Paul will be bolt on instead of set neck... Plus, start changing woods and specs and it'll all start to differ...

Well actually, if you see how far Gibson glues their necks into their bodies, there isn't a big difference, in my opinion, in a Warmoth bolt on Les Paul neck jount or standard production Gibson Les Paul neck joints. Matter of fact, from the famous pic of Gibson's neck joints that flaots around, I'd prefer a Warmoth bolt on joint with solid wood to wood contact all around rather than Gibson's glue filled joint.

Of course changing woods and specs will make it differ- particularly when Warmoth uses a much heavier truss rod, which has a big impact on tone

 

[vinterland]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

Longer scale length guys can easily play shorter scales... but it's not so easy the other way around. I've seen many short scale players just not be able to execute the same way on a longer scale.

Tonality and feel wise yes it is a personal preference but being able to seemlessly go between scale lengths is an advantage I see for longer scale players.

 

[heymcz]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

I've had a variety of 25.5s over the years, and hated them.

I've found that I can *only* get that warbly, throaty neck solo sound from a shorter scale . My 25.1" gets closer, but it ain't there. The Gibson scale is where it's at for me. The neck pickup has to be in that sweet spot....

 

[bigheadood]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

I can play equally well on both. I tend to use heavier gauge strings on the Les Paul than on the Ibanez, though.

 

[Karmadog777]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

I dont like the string tension on a 25.5" after playing 24.75" guitars , but they can feel too loose with thicker strings...for me 25" is perfect, to me its about the string tension, not the fret spacing .
actually my SZ's are 25.1"

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

I own both scales (25,5" and 24 ,75") ,and i have to say i even need a longer neck..
My next project (it's an 8 string) will be 27" ,and the string will be 007 to 70...So the low A would be as tight as an ant ass ,and the highest G will be as soft as butter!

 

[Smilemon]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

I don't really like Gibson scale lengths, I feel cramped on them. Fender's 25.5 is nice, but I like my Martin's 25 the best.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: Scale length for guitars?

Its preference, I have 24.5, 24.75, 25, and 25.5. I like the clarity of the 25.5 (shredder preference as mentioned earlier - its great for pick attack and twang), but it is a lot of fun to navigate a 24.5 or 24.75 scale lengths.