Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why?

Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why?

  • 25.5 inch traditional Fender scale

    Votes: 15 46.9%

  • 25 inch PRS Carvin Kiesel scale

    Votes: 5 15.6%

  • 24.75 inch traditional Gibson scale

    Votes: 12 37.5%
  • Total voters
    32
Ascension

Ascension

Well-known member
My preference is the PRS/ Carvin 25 scale. I like the tonal balance and also the feel of this scale the best. It's darker and fuller than the 25.5 traditional Fender scale with less string tension but has more snap and better upper fret access than the traditional 24.75 Gibson scale. To me it's the perfect compromise between the 2.
Have guitars in all 3 but will grab one of the Carvin / Kiesels or my PRS first normally before anything else because to me they just feel and sound right.
What's yours and why?
 
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Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

25 is perfection. I'm a floyd guy so naturally F-scale was always the most available and common so that's what I mostly have.
Carvins with the 25" and their wide/flat boards and thin neck option are an absolute dream for me, especially when chording near the nut.
 
Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why?

12 electric guitars
7 @ 25.5” scale
4 @ 24.75” scale
1 @ 24 5/8” scale

Can’t say that I’ve ever even played a 25.

I like how I don’t have to stretch my fingers as far out near the nut on a shorter scale guitar, but the numbers suggest that I seem to keep coming back to the 25.5” scale. I guess I’m just more used to it.

Honestly, I usually don’t even notice the difference unless I’ve just put down one and then pick up another (like for a mid-gig string break). Even then I become acclimated to the new scale in less than a minute.
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

Presumably on top of 25" and 25 ½” you count the Les Paul scale as the third?

The trouble is, that's not one scale. It has varied, usually between 24 ¾" and 24 9/16". And then there's the original Gibson scale of 24 ⅝" which some hold to be the authentic one.

Interestingly, some of you on here will know how much I bang on about how good Gordon Smith guitars are... Well, they use the 24 ⅝" scale like those early Les Pauls.

To confuse matters even further, even Fender use different scales: the Jaguar is 24", which it has in common with the Brian May Red Special.

My Gretsch Jet has a scale of 24 3/5" which of course is different again.

So, with so many different ones out there, I don't think it's a simple choice, and actually I doubt many people will choose a Guitar just because of its scale length (although some may disagree with me). I quite like the scale on my Gordon Smiths, for example, but my favourite guitar is a Strat (obviously) and, while I'd probably put a 24 ⅝" or 24 3/5" scale on it if I were designing a guitar, to me, having a 25 ½" scale isn't a problem or even a consideration in choosing a strat as my main guitar as the strat is by far the best guitar in the world (IMHO) and it comes with that scale length, whether you choose to like that or not.

I think what I'm trying to say (and not doing a very good job of it) is that your choice of guitar is a holistic one and scale length is only one single part of that.

Now, of course, whether I'm playing my strat or I'm playing my Gordon Smith, I will still sound like me!

Sent from my Phone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

I'm a 24.75" scale fan. I have one Les Paul and both of my Dean Hardtail's are 24.75" scale, so that takes care of all of my double humbucker guitars; which get most of my playing time. I do have one standard strat, but I don't currently play it that often.
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

I feel the most at home on a full scale guitar, i.e. Fender length or thereabout.

I do like my Gibsons and my Jaguar (24" scale), though. I have no problem playing the Gibsons. The Jag gets a little cramped, but I can deal with it for the guitar's other attributes (i.e. that wonderful tone and the excellent switching options).

I just counted, and, including my acoustics, my Fender to Gibson scale ratio is *exactly* 1:1. Then I have the Jag, which is 24".
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

24.75" boltons

Yep I'm kinky that way
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

25.5" for me. The guitars I own are all this scale length, so I'm most used to it. I like shorter scale lengths, but sometimes find them a little cramped up at the higher frets. This 'cramped' feeling is probably just due to lack of muscle memory for finger placement, as my fingers are like knitting needles, so shouldn't feel hemmed in anywhere really. That all said, 24" is lovely for rhythm, as there's much less stretching for chord work.
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

25.5". Single coils sound best that way, hot humbuckers sound best that way, P90s sound best that way.

Differences in fret spacing and string tension? Unless I use <24" I don't really notice too much of a difference on fret spacing and string tension also has a lot to do with string guage so sometimes a Gibson can be a whole lot harder to play than a Fender.
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

I have 21 guitars and most of them are either 25.5" or 24.75". I like both but the Gibson scale length is easier for bending the strings and I do a top wrap over the stop bar tail piece which helps the strings bend more easier. I also like the 25.5" scale because you can get better harmonics and there's more room in between the frets which makes it easier for fretting a note. Now I basically use Ernie Ball 10-46 gauge on all my guitars irregardless of what scale length the neck is. I also tune to 432Hz (concert pitch) which is in between E and Eb for a slightly looser feel.



;>)/
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

BTW...Brian May of Queen who's homemade guitar that his dad helped him to build is a 24" scale which is why he was able to fit 24 frets on the guitar at the time.



;>)/
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

25.5- I grew up playing a Strat and it is comfortable for me. I really have to make adjustments to play smaller scales. My Godin is a smaller scale and I am still getting used to the notes not being where I expect them.
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

23 1/2" ... I only play Byrdland's.

:D
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

25.5” The first humbucker in a Strat was the best thing that’s ever happened to the guitar.
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

While I might argue that it was a waste to put it in the middle position, if he was the first, he’s due the credit.

Anyone know of the earliest instance of a humbucker in the bridge position of a Strat? At some point it happened, and with it came a whole era of people rocking out on 25.5” scale guitars .
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

24.75

Shorter is longer, as far as reach goes....
 
Re: Which one of the 3 most popular 6 string scale lengths do you guys prefer and why

I played strat scales for years
Never thought of it

Then I played Jerry's Les Paul Signature 335
And it played effortlessly

I got my Epiphone Florentine and again effortless playing compared to my stats
I now have several Gibson scaled axes and while I still have my Ibanez RGs I sold my MIM
And rarely play any of my Squires

I also got an Epiphone Hummingbird because it too had the shorter 24.75 scale
My Martin has a 25.6 scale
The difference in feel is striking
 
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