Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

[80's_Metal]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

I can't hit a note on either board, so... Pretty much whatever is in front of me is fine, as long as it rocks.
I play a couple of each.

 

[Oinkus]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

Have both , couldn't matter at all. My HM Strat has a 25" scale and that is just crazy , but it is hard to notice such a small change. Swap to a baritone or a bass and you get a different feel for sure but never gave a thought to it mattering.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

Almost all my axes are 25.5" although I don't particularly mind the 24,75" of my Michael Kelly Patriot Ltd, especially the ease with which I can bend strings, it nevertheless does sound a bit unfamiliar to me, dunno.

Given the choice I'd stick with what I know but if I were to come across a 24,75" axe that I loved, I don't think the scale length would stop me TBH.

What I have only tried very very briefly is 25", that's what I'd like to have some more experience on as from that very little time it just both felt and sounded off, like it was trying to be sth but couldn't quite figure out what. I do suspect however that might just have been me

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

My two current guitars and my two builds in progress are all 25-1/2", but I have owned and played the 24-3/4" scale for many years. I prefer the snappiness of the longer scale but miss the ease of bending and access to the fretboard the shorter scale provides. And as much as one could argue that the difference is insignificant, the shorter scale allows for stretches my small hands cannot accomplish on the 25.5" scale. I absolutely can tell the difference in feel.

I would like to try a 25-1/2" scale length guitar with either a locking nut or either a 3 + 3 or 4 + 2 headstock to simplify bending, but what I think I'd really like most is the 25" scale. I have seen at least builder who uses a 25-1/8" scale. Now there's a happy medium!

Many people subscribe to the notion that one or the other "standards" is best and that anything between is a compromise that sacrifices the best from both norms. I do not agree, and believe that something in the middle will have it's own magic.

 

[BeatTheBastard]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

I`ve learned to play on a 25.5", even though my first electric has a 25.1". The latter is also great for me. But what comes to 24.75", I´ve never gotten used to it. Every time I´ve played Les Paul or other guitar with the same scale length it feels like I can´t play it. It just feels so different to my hands, even though I think it could change after playing that scale a lot.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

About anything goes. My guitars are 24.75", 25.5" and 26.5". The LP is the slinkiest to play, while the baritone requires a little extra effort as I'm not really used to the scale yet. If I had to have a custom guitar made tomorrow, I'd pick 25.5".

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

25.5" all the way. It just feels right.

 

[Kac]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

25.5" from my first electric guitar to today.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

Started on 25.5, switching to 24.75 was weird at first but now that's what I'm used to. I have short fat fingers so for lower fret rhythm playing I prefer 24.75, for leads 25.5. I do have a BC Rich that is some where in between, but I'm not sure what it is.

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

I only own a few 24.75" guitars. They're great guitars. But I find that I play them far less than my 25" or 25.5".

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

I was sold on my particular Gretsch model due to the 25.5" scale length... 24.75" just feels a bit cramped for my big hands.

 

[Nacho8807]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

I learned on a 25.5" but I'm far more comfortable on a 24.75".

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

Nothing is a deal breaker for me, in terms of radius or scale length. I do feel most at home on Fender scale, but I have no problem with Gibson scale. It's just a little bit mushier feeling, and I find that I need strings about one size larger on Gibsons. My Fenders mainly have 11's and 10's, so that means my Gibsons have 11's at minimum, and 12's on a few.

 

[koshikas]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

i started on 25.5" bolt-on necks and got only one neck-thru with 24.75" scale to date. i'm still pretty much 25.5" guy most of the time, but also am loving the 24.75" scale for few reasons. I use .010 gauge strings on both scale lengths, hence really enjoy the added mileage i get with my bends on the shorter scale. I also find some jazzy chords to be comfortable to hold on the shorter scale, i have a feeling they sound better too. personally the only down-sides for me in the shorter scale are the narrower fret spacing in the last frets (mine has 24 frets) making my pinky and ring finger struggle and stumble with other fingers on those frets. i have no complains for 25.5" scale length.

 

[shred4Him]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

25.5 all the way. I have been to a few concerts recently. Always had a hard time hearing the 24.75 scale guitars in a band mix. Granted, there were other factors at work, and I am sure many people can remember times when the opposite was true in a live context, but the Gibsons and their clones were always lost in the mix and difficult to hear.

I just like the feel of 25.5.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

I learned on short scale guitars and my favourite guitar is currently 25.5. Honestly I don't fund much difference on guitars. I like full scale basses rather than short scale ones though, they seem to play and sound better.

 

[BTMN]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

I am equally unskilled on all scale lengths. :1:
Seriously, most of my guitars are 24.75 but I like them all and do not notice the differance as much as most.

 

[Scott Olson]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

All the electrics I have right now are 25.5"

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

I exclusively use 24 5/8 (or 24.75) - short scale.

I can play with ease. Shred like nobody's business, use heavier strings (without having to tune down), and the strings bend to my will.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Scale Length: Where do You Measure Up?

Most of my guitars have 25.5, but my 'top' guitar for a solid 4 years was a 24.75 scale. I think the shorter scales are better for getting really complex chord voicings, but the fender scale makes the notes ring better. I've played a soloway guitar, it was a standard tuning 27' scale length, I found it really hard to play up to speed or comfortably, but it was such a rich and deep sounding guitar acoustically. I may have judgements about PRS guitars but Paul definitely knows what he's saying when he goes on (and on, and on) about how the neck is the most important part of securing good guitar tone.

As long as the scale length is in the normal range, I find it's more about the thickness or shape of the neck that affects my comfort.