Scale Length Playability

[Korvanjund]

So I'm looking to buy a six string and I'm leaning towards a PRS because they're just beautiful guitars. I have heard that they're versatile, but would like to know if any model can handle extreme metal sort of distortion. But my main query is regarding the scale length. I am used to 25.5" scale lengths and play up high a lot when soloing as I play lead the majority of the time. So if I was to play a 25" that PRS use would I find my hands getting cramped in the smaller frets. I do notice a difference when playing my 7 strings that 26.5" is more comfortable up High, but would I notice a y difference from 25.5" to 25"?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Scale Length Playability

Not too much of a difference IMO, but I play a lot of different types of guitars. If you're used to 25 1/2" you might notice a difference, but you'll probably get used to it.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Scale Length Playability

Strings might be a fraction looser for the same gauge/tuning.
And yes it is fractionally smaller there.

The entire scale length is 1/2" shorter. So the 12th fret to bridge is 1/4" shorter. In terms of room, if you were to take the 25 1/2" scale and cut off the first fret that is 24" scale. So each fret space would be smaller as if it is the next fret closer to the bridge. 25" is nowhere near that amount of difference, and the higher you go the smaller the gap between scales.

Lastly, metal can be played on a lot of different scale guitars - the pickup and the amp become much more important.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Scale Length Playability

Feel-wise? I'd rather have a neck profile and width that are correct than worry about scale.

Have you ever played a 24 3/4" Daisy Rock? They feel like a tiny toy, because every other dimension of the neck is shrunk. I thought I could deal with it by having the full scale model, no dice. Play a new Mexican Mustang or Duo Sonic with a thicker neck, and even that feels like a large guitar in comparison... And it has a shorter scale. Sound-wise it doesn't matter unless you go to the extremes.

 

[dave74]

Re: Scale Length Playability

Fret size/width will have more impact on finger-room up high than the difference between fender and prs scale.

In other words a fender scale with extra-jumbos will be as crowded as a gibby scale with vintage frets.

 

[stratguy23]

Re: Scale Length Playability

The scale length won't make much of a difference in playability. You may or may not remember that PRS some years ago was tagged as a nu-metal brand. There is the occasional PRS with 25.5" scale length. The Clint Lowery SE model has 25.5" scale length, and comes stock in drop B tuning. The SE Torero also has a 25.5" scale length and comes stock with Floyd and EMG 81/85 pickups and may be your likeliest bet in the PRS lineup.

If you're super-concerned about scale length, PRS has had some baritones in its lineup, like the Mushok and 277 models.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Scale Length Playability

I find a shorter scale easier to play
With the same strings as my Ibanez with the 25.5 scale
My Les Paul with the 24.75 scale is much easier on my fingers

The lower frets may have something to do with that as well
With taller frets, your fingers feel more string than with the shorter Gibson/Epiphone frets

 

[Raoul Duke]

Re: Scale Length Playability

I wouldn't worry to much about about the scale length as far as playability goes. I have 24.75, 25, and 25.5 and although the longer the scale the more roomier it is I get by more or less equally on all.

I don't know if I'd go with most PRS for extreme metal but that's more related to the radius. I feel a flatter board works better for "shreddier" and metal playing at least IME.

I have however found, as is important for most metal these days that when tuning down a whole step or further 25.5 seems to generally intonate better, which has led me to not bother down tuning my PRS or Gibson's anymore.

But realistically you should be able to do and play just about any style on whichever guitar you are comfortable on.

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: Scale Length Playability

All kinds of guys use LP/PRS for lower tunings. For one thing, you (as has been mentioned) would need to have heavier strings. Set up correctly would be nice, and you likely have to play differently. Less girth, more precision.

 

[kherman]

Re: Scale Length Playability

With my 24 fret Carvin guitars, my 89s are 24.75 and my new ones are 25. I don't notice the change. But, jumping to my dc727, which is 25.5, I notice the difference. I have smaller hands and prefer the shorter scale. Also, my Gibby guitars are 24.75. But, are 22 fret. They do feel less cramped in the upper register.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Scale Length Playability

I have both 25.5" and 24.75" scale guitars and play both regularly. Honestly, I don't notice the fret spacing at all in the upper frets, but rather in the first 5 where I sometimes can feel myself stretching harder on my 25.5" guitars. This has led me to slightly prefer 24.75" scale, but only slightly.

Bottom line... you get used to any of them pretty quickly.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Scale Length Playability

Awesome username. Skyrim's in my top 3 favorite games of all time (Adventure and Carmageddon are the other 2). I just hate that Korvanjund is quest-locked.

As for whether a PRS can handle extreme metal distortion, the stock pickups might not, depending on the model. Look at what pickups the bands whose tones you like use, note their tonal differences, find out which part of their tone is pickup and which part is amp.
However I'm going to go out on a limb and say Active pickups (EMG or Duncan Blackouts) because they're more tonally balanced than passives, and your EQ will shape your final tone.

If you've got fat fingers, a smaller scale length might cause you to bind up on the skinny frets. Then again, it's 1/2" averaged over the whole neck, not right at the end, so while you might be able to tell the difference side-by-side, after about of week on it you'll probably think a 25.5" scale is too big a stretch.

 

[Korvanjund]

Re: Scale Length Playability

Thanks to everyone who answered, it's been a big help in covering my queries regarding PRS. I have long, thin fingers so I think it's unlikely that PRS scales will pose a problem.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Scale Length Playability

I can't imagine that you would be able to feel even a slight difference.