The scale length myth

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JasonM

Posts: 2136
Joined: Dec. 8 2005
From: Baltimore

The scale length myth

There are really two controversies. One is feel, the other is sound. The difference in feel is not so much a debate. But I am questioning that now.

Lets compare a 52mm neck and 650mm scale to a 53/660.

After playing a 52/650 for years, when I pick up a guitar thats 53/660, I feel the difference. But do I really? I often like to whine about my small hands. but do You feel a difference? Searching through the archives here and elsewhere, People say that longer scales cause more fatigue. Mabey you could say that it is all relative and depends on the size of your hands or how far you can stretch them. But I am beggining to doubt these beliefs for a couple of reasons.

I just pulled out a ruler.

At my computer monitors resolution and text size:

The difference between 52mm and 53mm is about the width of the letter " i "

The difference between 650 and 660 is about this many " iiiiiiiiii " That is about the size of a finger nail.

Now, how can this make a major noticeable difference in feel or even sound? What are your opinions?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 18 2006 19:45:30

Exitao

Posts: 907
Joined: Mar. 13 2006
From: Vancouver, Canada

RE: The scale length myth (in reply to JasonM)

If you position your finger 1mm away from the frett than you usually do, how much does it affect the sound?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 18 2006 20:15:21

Miguel de Maria

Posts: 3532
Joined: Oct. 20 2003
From: Phoenix, AZ

RE: The scale length myth (in reply to JasonM)

Well, I got my nut (guitar) narrowed slightly, about maybe the height of an "a", it made a tangible difference to the point that for a few minutes I was missing notes a lot. I got used to it quite quickly. I feel it was a helpful change with no downside and I think it made it more comfortable. But the width of the fingerboard is a much smaller length than the length of it, so proportionally that much change is that much greater. Last night another local player played my Cordoba for a few minutes and said it felt "like a toy". It only weights about half a pound, but I wonder if he noticed the slightly narrower neck as well.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 18 2006 20:17:05

koella

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

RE: The scale length myth (in reply to JasonM)

I don't know about all that. But when I put my 660 aside and play the same things on my 650 I can feel the difference.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 18 2006 20:20:25

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: The scale length myth (in reply to JasonM)

If you compare 650 and 660mm scale, the difference between the frets is a little less than 1 mm.

Well. Maybe you can feel that. We are all different. What I feel the most is difference in tension or pulsation.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 19 2006 17:46:04