Guitar Neck Scale Length!

[Steve]

Which do you prefer? Longer scale? or shorter scale?

I have a Les Paul with a neck scale length of 24.5 inches, and an Aria with a longer scale of 25.5 inches. I must say that I prefer the shorter scale. I have very short stubby fingers and I find the shorter scale length more suited to my playing. My accoustic has a longer scale length (25.5 inches) but is better for finger picking. What about you?

[thelevellers]

Personally I prefer a longer scale, as I'm a lanky chappie it just means slightly wider (i.e. easier) frets up at the high end!! lol...

[Rudi]

I think all my guitars have a 25.5" scale. I wouldnt want it any less because I think I would struggle at the top end.

The slacker string tension of the short scale would be useful for string bends I suppose, but that is at the expence of tonal brightness.

[typo]

mine is about *measures by eye* that long!

[Steve]

I think all my guitars have a 25.5" scale. I wouldnt want it any less because I think I would struggle at the top end.

The slacker string tension of the short scale would be useful for string bends I suppose, but that is at the expence of tonal brightness.

When I used to play regularly, I always used a set of 10s on the Les Paul. The difference in tone between 9s and 10s is quite noticeable! Being a shorter scale, playing it was just as comfortable.

[Rudi]

When I used to play regularly, I always used a set of 10s on the Les Paul. The difference in tone between 9s and 10s is quite noticeable! Being a shorter scale, playing it was just as comfortable.

It’s noticeable on longer scale models too.

Surprising isn’t it? That .001” (one thousandth of an inch) difference can be immediately detected on a guitar string.

[davidmichael]

personally i cant really tell much difference.i have quite a few guitars with different scales and dont really see how anyone can feel the difference when your talking about 1 inch spread out from the nut to the bridge. that equals out to about .04 difference per inch,not tryin to be a smart a**