How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Full Version)

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rombsix -> How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Aug. 1 2012 4:57:56)

Can someone show me on a diagram or in words how we actually measure a guitar's scale length? Say I had a guitar of unknown origin and I wanted to measure its scale length, from where to where do I measure?

Cheers!



Leñador -> RE: How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Aug. 1 2012 5:03:10)

Bridge to nut is my understanding. All the parts of the string that vibrate.



estebanana -> RE: How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Aug. 1 2012 5:57:00)

Measure from nut to 12th fret and multiply by 2



Stephen Eden -> RE: How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Aug. 1 2012 8:13:06)

measure from the nut to the middle of the 12th fret as Stephen says. The reason being is that the bridge should be further away as compensation for the string bend. Saying that I have heard of some compensating the nut end too!



Jeff Highland -> RE: How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Aug. 1 2012 9:41:36)

Nut to 12th by 2 then plug this into a fret calculator to find what the nut to first should be and check for any nut compensation



Leñador -> RE: How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Aug. 1 2012 14:02:47)

quote:

The reason being is that the bridge should be further away as compensation for the string bend


Crazy, can someone elaborate on string bend? I'm imagining it does not exist with electrics?



Sean -> RE: How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Aug. 1 2012 18:37:50)

Yes what the two Steven's said, there is string length and scale length.
On an electric look at the bridge, you will notice each individual saddle is adjustable for compensation and they're set different from one another.



Leñador -> RE: How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Aug. 1 2012 18:59:25)

So on an electrical the adjust-ability of the saddle makes up for string bend you see on nylons? To state it differently, if I understand correctly, string length and scale on electrics are the same due to the ability to adjust the saddle?



Sean -> RE: How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Aug. 1 2012 19:40:59)

Basically a maker decides on a scale length, with that he calculates all the spacings for the frets and gets the uncompensated position for the saddle. Compensation is a slight tweak to the string length so fretted notes play a little more in tune.
Adding a mm or two to the string length doesn't change the scale length because you're not changing the position of the frets.



Leñador -> RE: How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Aug. 1 2012 20:00:53)

Orale pues! Thanks Sean!



constructordeguitarras -> RE: How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Aug. 2 2012 1:45:50)

Yes, do what Jeff said, because some makers shorten the distance between the nut and the first fret as compensation--in addition to moving the bridge farther from the nut than the scale length, which everyone should do.



estebanana -> RE: How do we measure a guitar's scale length? (Aug. 2 2012 2:37:41)

Yeah thats a good idea to check although not as many commercially made guitars will have scales that finely tuned up.

there is an online fret calculator or two out there, just plug in the numbers and see if they match up.



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