What should my scale length be?
A: There is no ‘normal’ scale length. Different brands and models use different scale lengths. The most common lengths are 24.75″ for most Gibson models and 25.5″ for most Fender models.
How is scale length measured?
What is scale length? WHAT IS SCALE LENGTH? A guitar’s scale length is calculated by measuring the distance from the front edge of the nut, where it butts against the end of the fingerboard, to the center of the 12th (octave) fret, then doubling that measurement.
How does scale length affect playability?
Scale length can have a significant effect on playability. All factors being equal (string gauge, string length beyond the nut and saddle, break angles, and so on), shorter scales produce lower string tension, are more elastic, easier to fret, and require less arm extension.
How does scale length affect tone?
The greater spacing of harmonics on strings that span a longer scale gives an impression of greater chime and shimmer, and yields a tighter low E. Alternately, strings on a shorter scale instrument yield more closely packed harmonics and increase warmth, thickness, and “fur” in the tone.
What is scale math example?
more The ratio of the length in a drawing (or model) to the length on the real thing. Example: in the drawing anything with the size of “1” would have a size of “10” in the real world, so a measurement of 150mm on the drawing would be 1500mm on the real horse. See: Ratio.
What does scale length mean guitar?
In the simplest terms, scale length refers to the length of the active/vibrating portion of the open string, between the nut and saddle. Among acoustic guitars, the most common scales are clustered around 25.4–25.5 inches and 24.75 inches.
Does scale length make a difference?
Scale length actually makes a big difference. It affects the feel, playability and even the tone of an instrument.
What scale length is a Fender Jazz Bass?
The important dimensions of the Fender Jazz bass to consider are: Overall Length – 46.5” (118.11cm) Scale Length – 34” (86.36cm) Nut Width – 1.5” (38.1mm)
How to measure scale length?
So the accurate method to measure scale length is actually to measure the distance from the nut up to the 12th fret , and then double that number. To be super precise, it is the distance from the edge of the nut where it meets the fretboard, to where the string contacts the 12th fret when pressed down – multiplied by 2.
The longer the scale length, the brighter the tone. This can be balanced by changing the string gauge and tension to get a warmer tone. Think of an elastic (rubber) band being plucked. When it’s not stretched, it makes a low twangy sound. As you stretch it to put it under more tension, the sound gets brighter and less twangy.
What is difference does scale length make?
The most important impact scale length makes is on the tension of the strings . The longer the scale length, the higher the tension needs to be to bring the string up to pitch. A short scale length requires very little tension to bring the strings up to pitch when compared to a longer scale guitar.
What does scale length mean?
Length scale. Length scales are usually the operative scale (or at least one of the scales) in dimensional analysis. For instance, in scattering theory, the most common quantity to calculate is a cross section which has units of length squared and is measured in barns. The cross section of a given process is usually the square of the length scale.