Scale length... neck length... # of frets....

Well, the only guitar-guitar I own right now is a Mexi-Strat.

I'm guessing it's a longer scale than a Gibson (and similar)?

I'm guessing the shorter (Gibson-type) scale is better for chords closer to the peghead neighborhood, particularly weird jazz chords?

I'm guessing the longer (Strat-type) scale is better for hitting the high-frets and whatnot?

More or less? :confused:

I want to get a guitar that's easier to do the aforementioned weird jazz chords on. It's about as difficult to do them on my Strat as it is on my longscale bass!

In my opinion, the scale of the neck is a personal preference thing. I personally don't like 25.5" (typical Fender style scale length). They're just not that comfortable to me. I prefer a Gibson (24.75") and PRS (25") scale necks. The length of the neck also has an effect on the tone of the guitar as well.

I also have relatively small hands. For instance, I tried a Telecaster the other day and the neck was way too fat towards the heel. The reason I chose bass over guitar, originally (years back), was because I figured my fingers were too stunted to do any chords. Well... five years later I get a Strat, I find that I can apply bass chords to it without too much difficulty, and that I can solo until the cows come home.

Now, does the slightly longer neck do anything for tone/low end? Because that is indeed the case with a long scale bass, otherwise us small-hand guys wouldn't be going through all that left hand strain with one.

if it has a shorter scale, the frets aren't as long, so I suppose it would be slightly easier to make chords with. whereas with a longer scale neck, the frets are a bit more spaced out, so when you get up high on the fretboard it's easier to fit your fingers in the frets. but seriously, it's just more of a preference thing. I prefer the shorter scale gibson type (haven't tried PRS yet). also, guitars with a short scale can have fat necks and skinny necks, scale doesn't effect neck shape. if you like skinny necks, pick-up an ibanez RG and see how you like it. Gibsons generally have fatter necks