Scale length - what is the deal?

I don't think it affects as much as some think, but I'm pretty flexible about most things.

The main thing it affects is string tension. A given string tuned up to the same pitch has to be pulled tighter on a longer scale length. So it'll feel stiffer and harder to bend.

There's the obvious size aspect - shorter scale means smaller space between frets which some people find more comfortable. There's a trade-off between less stretching for stretchy chords against fitting all your fingers in for some chords (like A) where all the fingers are positioned close together.

There's also tension. A basic note (ie, not a harmonic etc) is determined by a comination of the gauge of the string, the tension (hence tuning works) and length (hence fretting increases the pitch). If you increase the length of the string by using a longer scale, you lower the pitch. This can be counteracted by using a lighter gauge string or by increasing the tension to give you the same note as you'd have for a shorter scale. More tension gives you more natural sustain (think about it the other way around - if you detune a string until it's flapping about the notes don't ring out for nearly as long), but makes strings harder to bend and means you're more likely to break a string by bending it/using the whammy too much.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head :wink:

I personally like less tension in my strings, so I tune down 1/2 step. If, however, I wanted to be permanently tuned down 1/2 step for some other reason and liked the 'normal' tension, I could always go for a scale length that was about a frets-worth longer than I currently have.

edit: beaten to it... I was typing/pondering while I was eating lunch :mrgreen:

Hello everyone... I feel that I'm fairly knowledgable about guitars, but one concept I've failed to understand is the idea of scale length... what is the difference between different scale lengths? I understand that the scale length comes from the distance from the nut to the saddle, but what does the difference affect?

I think this quote sums it up best:

"Sonically, the primary difference is in the degree of articulation, and in how well the notes blend together. I like to say, a short scale guitar sounds a bit more like a choir singing together. A long scale guitars sounds more like a group of soloists singing at the same time. Both are good, even fantastic. But they are different. Personally, I like to have guitars with both so I can use which ever sounds best.

The most common scale lengths are:

24.65/24.75/etc - on Gibsons, mostly
25.4 - Martin long scale
24.9 - Martin short scale
25 - PRS
25.5 - Most Fenders, Strats and Teles, though some of the other guitars used a shorter scale."

a short scale guitar sounds a bit more like a choir singing together. A long scale guitars sounds more like a group of soloists singing at the same time.
Very eloquent... but I can't hear it in my head :wink:

The tension differences are easily noticed on bass guitars; compare a 35" long scale with the same string gauges on a 30" short scale and the short scale will undoubtedly seem floppy.

The tonal differences are also more readily apparent, with the long scale affording a bigger, tighter bottom end.

Oddly enough, most short-scale basses come with fairly light-gauge strings, and many string manufacturers only make light-gauge short-scale sets. I've found that putting much heavier strings on my short-scale bass makes a big difference, both in tone and playability (I don't like floppy strings. 8) )

Here is an interesting article I ran across recently about scale length. I never really considered that length affected tone until I read this.

http://www.electric-guitar-review.com/2006/07/12/your-guitars-scale-length-a-primer/

my lap steel has a 22 1/2 inch scale length. the close fret intervals make for fast runs, the increased string tension brings the sustain out further, and I love that quote about choir voices, because it does that too.
see the steels in my avatar. 22 1/2" scale.

Hey dog, you get DECREASED string tension from the short scale. Have to use bigger strings to get it back up.

My Artisan lap steel has a tiny 21" scale. Martin Bluegrass Resonator Guitar strings work great on it for Open E. I wouldn't do that on my reso.

I like shorter-scale guitars but I hate sloppy strings. Should I put thick or thin strings on it to create more tension?

Heavier strings will give you more tension.

You can put heavier guage strings on longer scale guitars/basses and down tune them better than regular guage strings on short or medium scale guitars/basses. That is, If you like down tuning, it can be fun for real nice low end or used in combination with regular tunings if you play appropriately related tunings.