scale and string width question

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>General >>

Page: [1]

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

koella

Posts: 2194
Joined: Sep. 10 2005
From: holland

scale and string width question 1 votes

Some 6 months ago I was able to buy a gerundino guitar. Not that I was especially looking for one, but it just came on my way. So I bought it although my playing doesn't match the quality of this guitar ( yet ?)

It has a scale length of 66cm and a stringwidth ( at the bridge) of 6cm.
The width didn't feel good in the beginning. But now I'm getting used to the extra space.
The scale length is still very uncomfortable. I can't play relaxed without a capo.

My question. Why would anybody choose for a large stringwidth or large scalelength ? What are the advantages ?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 5 2006 21:17:40

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: scale and string width question (in reply to koella)

Hey Koella, congrats on your new guitar.

Larger scales and neck widths accomodate larger hards. Wider nuts allow for wider string spacing which can be a bit more comfortable too. Such scale lengths and nut widths are not ONLY for larger hands though.

My favorite part about a long scale is more room to work with as you go up the fingerboard with a cejilla on! A cejilla on a 650mm can make for a tight fit depending on your hand size.

Scale length is really a personal preference but to me, it's not that important. A great guitar is a great guitar.

_____________________________

Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 6 2006 1:01:10

Jim Opfer

Posts: 1876
Joined: Jul. 19 2003
From: Glasgow, Scotland.

RE: scale and string width question (in reply to koella)

Hi Koella,

As Tom said, congrats on the guitar.

I also read that longer string scale means more string to vibrate, greater energy and bigger sound. 660 is normal for Gerundino.

I used to have a Montero y Bellido with a 667 scale.
Phew!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 6 2006 11:16:41

koella

Posts: 2194
Joined: Sep. 10 2005
From: holland

RE: scale and string width question (in reply to koella) 1 votes

Thanks guys.
Though I still wonder how a few mm's can make such a difference.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 6 2006 20:08:34

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: scale and string width question (in reply to koella)

You really don't feel the difference between say 650 and 655. Or, 655 and 660. It's more when you go from 650 to 660 or 650 to say 663.

_____________________________

Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 6 2006 21:49:11

koella

Posts: 2194
Joined: Sep. 10 2005
From: holland

RE: scale and string width question (in reply to koella) 1 votes

That must be it. I was used to 65. The gerundino is 66.
It's not that I can't handle it, but when I pick up my old guitar it feels so easy to play. Guess it just needs time.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 6 2006 22:02:40

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: scale and string width question (in reply to koella)

Your hands just need to get used to the new position or extra stretch. If you continue playing your new guitar, your hands will develop a sort of memory. After a while, if you switch back to the 650 you may notice your misplacing your fingers or overstretching. I say stick to playing one instead of switching back and forth.

_____________________________

Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 7 2006 1:24:26

MKodji

Posts: 50
Joined: Jul. 18 2006
From: NY

RE: scale and string width question (in reply to koella)

Koella, Congrats on your Gerundino. Gerundino guitars are big and sometimes difficult to play but their sound AHHHH, beautiful. What year is it?

Mike

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 7 2006 6:53:37

koella

Posts: 2194
Joined: Sep. 10 2005
From: holland

RE: scale and string width question (in reply to koella) 1 votes

Thanks Mike.

It's from 1988.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 7 2006 7:39:49

Ricardo

Posts: 14828
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: scale and string width question (in reply to koella)

I have small hands and always prefer the feel of big guitars with wide spacing and wide frets. Not sure why. I can get used to skinny neck guitars with small scale, but does not feel as good as my 664 Conde. I have to get used to just the nut slot spacing on a lot of guitars.

It seems people complain about guitars being either too big or too small all the time, forgetting there are similar instruments of different sizes. Like a virtuoso Charango player, try playing any flamenco on one of those things if you think your guitar scale is too long. Or vice verse, try playing some solea on a 6 string bass guitar, if you feel that the guitar body size is too small for your big arms and hands.

My point is you can get used to any instrument, but you have to like the sound you get from it.

Ricardo

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 7 2006 16:37:34

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: scale and string width question (in reply to Ricardo)

I love the Charango. Going to get one soon. Just can't decide if I want a wood back or Armadillo.

_____________________________

Tom Núñez
www.instagram.com/tanunezguitars

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 7 2006 17:32:06