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RE: Does longer scale equal higher a... (in reply to silddx)
I am not a luthier, and I am sure one will chime in shortly, but in my understanding, there should really not be a logical reason why a longer scale guitar should require or cause higher tension.
In fact, longer scale would mean more string tension to be tuned to pitch which would mean less string vibration, less buzz which means you can achieve a lower action without too much buzz?
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"I'm just a poor crazy man in love with his art." Santos Hernandez
RE: Does longer scale equal higher a... (in reply to silddx)
Mileage varies from guitar to guitar. String height and the threshold of tolerance for clean and dirty sound is a personal preference. It’s simple to determine this on a guitar by guitar basis. Set up the guitar with a low saddle and find out if that particular guitar sounds good to you that way. And if not, why? Is it because the frets are not leveled well, or because the fingerboard is not properly set up for low action?
Just put a low saddle on it and analyze the situation. Theoretically a long scale could be set up very low, but it’s a personal decision based on sound and feel.
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Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC
RE: Does longer scale equal higher a... (in reply to silddx)
quote:
ORIGINAL: silddx
quote:
not noticeable. Play a bass. Then play a ukulele. Which one had better action.
Good call, but the strings are not equal size or pitch.
I have a "ukelele" sized guitar that uses normal guitar strings. Some millimeters is not going to be noticeable. I lowered the bone saddle on it, and now it has fantastic "pulsation".
RE: Does longer scale equal higher a... (in reply to Ricardo)
quote:
I have a "ukelele" sized guitar that uses normal guitar strings. Some millimeters is not going to be noticeable. I lowered the bone saddle on it, and now it has fantastic "pulsation".
RE: Does longer scale equal higher a... (in reply to silddx)
Do higher tension strings lead to a slight (maybe 0.25mm) higher action potentially?
Obviously, higher tension strings on an electric necessitate a truss rod adjustment, so I am wondering if there is some impact on the bridge/neck etc even though the tension on nylon strings is not much compared to say flatwounds.
Higher tension strings will feel like higher action I think, but is it just perception?
_____________________________
"I'm just a poor crazy man in love with his art." Santos Hernandez
RE: Does longer scale equal higher a... (in reply to silddx)
Thicker diameter strings will give greater pull and feel like the action may be too high because it is harder fret the notes. This is actually 'compliance'. The scale length and choice of strings will also affect the sound. By changing the amount of stress that pulls on the top, there can be a noticeable change in the guitar's sound.