Scale length and string tension

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krichards

Posts: 597
Joined: Jan. 14 2007
From: York, England

Scale length and string tension

I know that scale length has been discussed beore on this forum but I m curious to know opinions on its effect on the right hand feel.
In my experience guitars with 660mm scale length always feel firmer in the right hand compared to 650mm scale with 'normal' tension strings.
I've been building with a 650mm scale length but I'm considering changing to 660 to get this firmer feel.

or maybe i should just use hard tension strings on my 650 scale?

Would that achieve the same result (Yes I know this is easy to try out, but I would really value some views on the relationship between scale length and string tension)

_____________________________

Kevin Richards

http://www.facebook.com/#!/kevin.richards.1048554

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 22 2009 8:47:26

Tom Blackshear

Posts: 2304
Joined: Apr. 15 2008

RE: Scale length and string tension (in reply to krichards)

quote:

ORIGINAL: krichards

I know that scale length has been discussed beore on this forum but I m curious to know opinions on its effect on the right hand feel.
In my experience guitars with 660mm scale length always feel firmer in the right hand compared to 650mm scale with 'normal' tension strings.
I've been building with a 650mm scale length but I'm considering changing to 660 to get this firmer feel.

or maybe i should just use hard tension strings on my 650 scale?

Would that achieve the same result (Yes I know this is easy to try out, but I would really value some views on the relationship between scale length and string tension)

Most guitars are built with a particular string tension in mind but there are some builders that don't consider this as a normal everyday rule.

Also, better guitar makers plan their top tension and articulation according to the way they build the top. This gives proper tension and regularity to the playing action, etc.

If you are looking for good snap for picado pull through and fast action, with ligado and rasgeado, then this has to be planned into the top for proper articulation of the playing style.

It really has nothing to do with string tension, but to give clarication, I use regular hard tension on a 655 mm scale, and then tune the voice for the best response.

If you can't make your guitar do what you want then try another guitar. But keep in mind that no shorter or longer string scale is going to give you a proper tension and playability unless the top is designed to give it.

If you think a longer scale on one particular model, would do that model justice, then use it.

There are so many variables here that it would take a page or two, just to explain the differences in how the tops should work, and what scale is the best for each particular design.

_____________________________

Tom Blackshear Guitar maker

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 22 2009 9:02:55

jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005

RE: Scale length and string tension (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tom Blackshear

If you can't make your guitar do what you want then try another guitar. But keep in mind that no shorter or longer string scale is going to give you a proper tension and playability unless the top is designed to give it.

If you think a longer scale on one particular model, would do that model justice, then use it.

Tom is exactly right on this. The scale is only one small factor in the "feel" of the strings.

_____________________________

John Shelton - www.sheltonfarrettaguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 22 2009 15:32:48

krichards

Posts: 597
Joined: Jan. 14 2007
From: York, England

RE: Scale length and string tension (in reply to Tom Blackshear)

quote:

There are so many variables here that it would take a page or two

Thanks for your reply Tom.
I realise that as with most things on the guitar there are many factors involved.

With a bit of experimenting (and without any calculations ) I've concluded that hard tension strings on a 650mm scale have about the the same tension as normal strings on a 660mm scale.

There's an earlier thread on scale length which is well worth reading for those interested

http://www.foroflamenco.com/tm.asp?m=64518&p=4&tmode=1&smode=1

_____________________________

Kevin Richards

http://www.facebook.com/#!/kevin.richards.1048554

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 23 2009 23:25:49