Scale Length

[Dave Engel]

Hi All,

Still on my quest for a new guitar. Does anyone have a real good (accurate) answer about the differences that string scale length makes, pros/cons?

Dave

[L.J. Mattingly]

Well, the simple answer is it shortens the distance from the nut to the saddle. In doing so, it places the frets in slightly different positions than on a long scale guitar because the neck is shorter. This often gives the guitar a looser feel than a long scale. There is less tension so the strings move a bit easier. You also get the advantage of having an easier time of doing stretches of several frets because, again, they are closer together. I used to play a J-45 all of the time and it is a short scale guitar. First time I picked up a D-18 and tried to do the stretches that were so easy on the J-45 I thought I was going to dislocate my fingers.
There are Martins, Gibsons, Taylors and a lot of other short scale guitars out there to try out and get a feel for it. Play a J-45 and a D-18 back to back if you can and see if you feel a difference. Put your 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string and see how far you can stretch your pinky on both necks. My bet is your fingers will go farther more comfortably on the J-45 than they will on the D-18.
Beyond that, it is just another matter of preference and playing what you like. The two guitars have a different sound to my ears but a lot of that may be due to the simple fact that they are made by different makers, have different types of wood and so on. A J-45 and a D-18 are very different guitars.
I have two short scale guitars and several long scale and I go back and forth between them pretty regularly without paying much attention to it.
If you can try a few out, I think what I am saying will make more sense.
LJ

[Dave Engel]

Thanks LJ,

I did just that yesterday. Played the J-45 for awhile, then the Martin D-18. I like the Gibson for it's feel and appearance, but the Martin won hands down for the sound, clarity and quyality of tone. I didn't care for the bright white binding on the body and around the fretboard though. Came to the conclusion there is always something about every guitar that isn't going to meet all your needs or desires. The wife likes the Gibson Song Maker Deluxe, beatifull guitar, but then I get into what I don't like about it... it's a small body Dred that looks to be hybrid of a Dred and a Grand Concert. Bet I settle for the tone quality and projection when all is said and done. Have to wait though untill the idiots at Boeing get off strike to get some scratch.

Dave