Whats your prefered scale length for a 6 string?

[Ascension]

Mine is 25 has been for many years. I love the feel and tone of 25. Snappier than the Gibson 24.75 scale with better upper fret access but fatter than the 25.5 Fender scale and has lower string tension. For me 25 is perfection what about you guys and why?

 

[GuitarStv]

It depends on where on the neck I'm playing. I prefer fender scale stuff when up higher than the 12th fret . . . I find that that tiny bit of extra space makes bending and hitting the right note a little easier. Near the nut I prefer a Gibson scale, less finger stretch.

 

[Bogner]

It really depends on what I am after sonically. In most cases I am happy splitting the difference and going 25. Not sure how scale length provides better upper fret access though in your initial statement. Maybe I am misunderstanding?

 

[Masta' C]

If I could only have one scale, it would probably be 25", but it's not the most important thing to me

 

[CaptainWhizz]

Don’t some PRS guitars have a 24.5” scale? They could be called SC 245s maybe?
I’ve only played Fender and Gibson scale, and if I had to chose one, I’d choose Gibson. But I like having both types.

 

[Securb]

 

[Spaghetti Bolo]

I like them all well enough, they all have a certain something. 25.5 is what I use the most though. 24" high E sounds and feels really nice but gets quite cramped on those higher notes.

 

[Drak]

I'm just the opposite of the OP.
I like the particular benefits of either 24.75" or 25.5" for electric.
25" is an undefined in-between land where I don't get the full benefit of either option, a halfway-man's land I don't care for.
Except on an acoustic, where it doesn't bother me one way or the other.

 

[weepingminotaur]

I have three guitars with Gibson scale, one with Fender. They're all great, but I do like the buttery quality of a Gibson-scale guitar, as well as the warmth and ease of bending.

 

[Mincer]

Generally, Fender. But my new Warmoth is the same scale as my new Gibson, and I am getting used to that, too.

 

[Ascension]

It really depends on what I am after sonically. In most cases I am happy splitting the difference and going 25. Not sure how scale length provides better upper fret access though in your initial statement. Maybe I am misunderstanding?

Easy answer is up above the 12th fret things get more cramped the higher you go. Playing really high up the neck I find the 24.75 really tight above the 17th fret.
Been playing mostly 25 scale since 94 or so when I built a couple Carvin DC's and fell in love with that scale. Been mostly PRS or Carvin Kiesel guitars since.

 

[GuitarStv]

I don't think I've ever played a 25 inch scale guitar. Does anyone other than PRS make them?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

The difference between a Gibson and Fender scale is three-quarters of an inch, spread across over two feet. That means each fret is about 34 thousandths of an inch further apart on a Fender than a Gibson. That's about the thickness of a Yellow Tortex pick. Not trying to say it doesn't make a difference (as it obviously does), more of how little it takes to make a difference.

My preference is I don't care. I have all of them, including a multi-scale 8 string that goes from 25.5 to 27.5. Whether they're setup properly makes about a zillion times as much difference as the scale length.

 

[LLL]

I have all three scale lengths, and dig them all for certain stuff respectively.

 

[Securb]

The difference between a Gibson and Fender scale is three-quarters of an inch, spread across over two feet. That means each fret is about 34 thousandths of an inch further apart on a Fender than a Gibson. That's about the thickness of a Yellow Tortex pick. Not trying to say it doesn't make a difference (as it obviously does), more of how little it takes to make a difference.

My preference is I don't care. I have all of them, including a multi-scale 8 string that goes from 25.5 to 27.5. Whether they're setup properly makes about a zillion times as much difference as the scale length.

 

[dave74]

I have skinny fingers so frets only get crowded around the 22nd for me, but near the nut I am a little more comfortable on my Carvins.
Anywhere within the standard gibby to fender is fine. Baritones are not for me at all. Bass is fine though since it's just single notes and no chords.

I vote 25" for perfection.

 

[UnderTheFlame83]

I don't really have a preference. I like them all. Occasionally even a 24 scale Mustang.

 

[Bogner]

Easy answer is up above the 12th fret things get more cramped the higher you go. Playing really high up the neck I find the 24.75 really tight above the 17th fret.
Been playing mostly 25 scale since 94 or so when I built a couple Carvin DC's and fell in love with that scale. Been mostly PRS or Carvin Kiesel guitars since.

I guess the word "access" threw me off. When I hear the word access I immediately think of the contrast between a Les Paul and an Ibanez or something where the ability to grab upper frets is less restrictive due to neck joint etc. I see you were really talking fret spacing or "scale" which really has nothing to do with accessibility. I understand now.

 

[PoorMan]

I have stubby fingers so I voted 24 3/4, but I have a couple 24” scale guitars that feel the best to me.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Easy answer is up above the 12th fret things get more cramped the higher you go. Playing really high up the neck I find the 24.75 really tight above the 17th fret.
Been playing mostly 25 scale since 94 or so when I built a couple Carvin DC's and fell in love with that scale. Been mostly PRS or Carvin Kiesel guitars since.

You actually feel a difference between 24.75" scale and 25" scale above the 12th fret? Scale length difference is more noticeable at the lower frets.

Anyway, my fav is 25.5". I like the better "snap". I've got 20-30 Gibson scale guitars so it's not like I'm stuck with a particular scale (25.5") because that's all I own.