scale length


findinghomer
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Joined: 10/22/05
Posts: 31
findinghomer
Registered User
Joined: 10/22/05
Posts: 31
12/12/2006 11:33 pm
im looking for a new guitar, i believe the scale length of the one im currently playing is 24 3/4in. (assuming im correct when i measure from the nut to the saddle) any how, what noticeable difference will i see if i buy one that it 25 1/2 in? are the frets spaced further? which may require more stretching? if so, do you recommend 25.5 for someone with big hands , to give me more room between frets high on the neck ?
# 1
MFerguson
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Joined: 08/09/04
Posts: 44
MFerguson
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Joined: 08/09/04
Posts: 44
12/13/2006 5:36 pm
I play a strat and recently picked up and epiphone sheraton. It has a longer scale. The difference in distance between frets is gradual all across the fretboard. The first 5 frets seem huge, and there is bearly a difference from 12 up.

It takes some practice to play the longer scale, but not difficult. My hands just knew where to go on the strat, but I have to think about it on the new one, and sometimes I still miss when playing fast. Its only been 3 weeks, so it is not insurmountable.

The biggest difference, to me, is the width of the fret board. When playing a bar 7th chord in the A position, I frequently miss the 2nd string with my pinky. Just some practice needed.

I have small hands, so I can't tell you about if bigger is better....
# 2
aschleman
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Joined: 04/26/05
Posts: 2,051
aschleman
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Joined: 04/26/05
Posts: 2,051
12/13/2006 5:41 pm
The difference in the fret spacing will be the smaller difference when compared to the tone... Generally the tone of a larger scale guitar is deeper than that of a shorter scale... But obviously the other components of the guitar will have an impact on tone as well...
# 3

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