Scale length with zero fret (Full Version)

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rombsix -> Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 8 2025 21:15:43)

Hi folks - to measure the scale length on a traditional guitar, I go from the nut to the saddle. In the case of a guitar with a zero fret, how would one measure the scale length? From the zero fret to the saddle? Or still from the nut to the saddle still? Thanks!



RobF -> RE: Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 8 2025 22:09:16)

Measure from the zero fret to the 12th fret and multiply by two.



RobF -> RE: Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 8 2025 22:14:01)

*removed - double post.



rombsix -> RE: Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 8 2025 22:42:43)

Thanks Rob - wow, this guitar is ULTRA short. It's a 637 mm scale length!



estebanana -> RE: Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 9 2025 4:53:59)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rombsix

Thanks Rob - wow, this guitar is ULTRA short. It's a 637 mm scale length!



After you measure the distance from zero fret to 12th fret, measure from zero fret to saddle and see is the actual string length is longer that twice times the distance from zero to 12.
Make sure you measure to the exact center of the frets.



Arash -> RE: Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 9 2025 9:37:50)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rombsix

zero fret


Andaloooosian? [:D][:D]



Firefrets -> RE: Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 9 2025 9:48:14)

It's a 630mm scale length. The extra is added compensation. 630's need more compensation than 650's.



RobF -> RE: Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 9 2025 13:47:07)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rombsix

Thanks Rob - wow, this guitar is ULTRA short. It's a 637 mm scale length!



Just to clarify...if the measurement from zero to twelfth fret was 637/2 = 318.5mm, then 637mm is the true scale length. The difference between the zero to twelfth and the measure from the twelfth to the saddle (as suggested by estebanana) will also show the compensation due to saddle placement. Another method is to just measure the zero fret (from the middle) to where the string leaves the saddle but that's the scale length plus compensation. The use of a zero fret implies there's no compensation at the nut, as one of the reasons for a zero fret is to eliminate the need.

I suspect the 630mm mentioned by Firefrets is a typo? Otherwise, I don't know how that was arrived at based on the information presented.

I would think any increase in compensation due to a reduction in scale length would be inversely proportional to the percentage of the reduction, assuming no reduction in string height above the twelfth is done. There could be a slight increase in compensation at the saddle but nothing dramatic. Maybe I'm missing something here?



rombsix -> RE: Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 9 2025 17:47:55)

From the middle of the zero fret to the middle of the twelfth fret was indeed 318.5 mm so I multiplied that number by two and got 637 mm. When I measured from the middle of the zero fret to the edge of the saddle (where the string leaves the saddle) closer to the "sound hole" (you'll see why I put that in quotation marks by looking at the video below), I got 637 mm.

Here is the guitar in question.



Please don't ban me from the Foro. [:D]



Arash -> RE: Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 9 2025 18:20:29)

[:D]



Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px



estebanana -> RE: Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 9 2025 23:38:02)

String length and scale length are different if there is string compensation. It’s usually about 2mm



Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px



rombsix -> RE: Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 9 2025 23:51:03)

So just to make sure, based on what I discussed of the measurements I obtained, is this guitar considered a 637 mm scale length instrument? Most guitars I play are 650 mm scale length, but they don't have zero frets, and for those, I measure from the nut to the saddle and I get 650 mm as the value. So for this guitar with the zero fret, is 637 mm (from the zero fret to the saddle) not the scale length? If not, what is it then?

Sorry - I'm just worried I got confused. [8D]



RobF -> RE: Scale length with zero fret (Nov. 10 2025 0:44:06)

It would be a 637mm scale length without compensation. Compensation would make the string length longer by the amount of compensation. The zero fret to twelfth fret is an accurate measure of scale length as it is half of the scale length. Scale length is used to determine the placement of the frets. Compensation sits outside of that and that's why the string length doesn't always match the scale length.

So, if anyone asks, tell them it is a 637mm scale length. That the string length and scale length are the same just means this particular instrument is not compensated.



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