Question about scale length

Posted by Tom Baugues on June 16, 2013 at 4:23pm

Working on my third build. First two had a 24.5" scale. Have my neck all cut and shaped and fitted to the box and ready to lay out my fret marks when I realized I must have cut the slot to fit the nut in the wrong place. To use a 24.5" scale would place my bridge too close to the end of my box. So...my question is....will a 23.5" scale work just the same? I know I will have to measure out for a 23.5" scale length....but will the guitar have the same tone? I'm guessing yes but want to check with you all before I start cutting my frets.

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Replies

  • Tim LaFave June 17, 2013 at 12:11pm

    No it will not, but there is a way ... review my blog on creating your own fret scale pattern, and you can work it out for any length you are building.

  • QGolden June 16, 2013 at 4:47pm
    As long as you lay the frets out to compensate for the shorter VSL then I do not believe that your ear will pick up any variation in tone with a diference of 1 inch total VSL.
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