Because I found the scale length I used to make the guitars I have given up playing them as the neck and fret spacing was to long/wide for me.
Consequently I went for ukuleles which I find more playable and manageable. After trying the different sizes I like the tenor best, closely followed by the baritone.
I will do another guitar in the future possibly using the 23" scale length suggested to me...that makes it 4 inches longer than a baritone uke...so I am still not sure.
Anybody got any ideas concerning scale length vs personal physical characteristics??
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Longer and tighter scale makes those harmonics jump off the strings for slide, finger tapping like EVH, using pinch/pull harmonics and BB King style Trills.
The different group names for the scale lengths are there to help identify what size guitar is being used.
Interesting...another aspect of long vs short scale lengths!
Interesting info and opinions. My 2 cents worth: I definitely can do slide better on a longer scale. Easier to get close to that spot on position. I like to finger chord and pick on a shorter scale for better comfort.
Yes, when making ukes it dawned that although there are smaller three sizes (Soprano, Concert and Tenor) each with a different scale length they are all tuned at the same pitch (G,C,E,A)! The baritone however has a longer still scale-length but is tuned a 5th lower, (D,G,B,E...like the top four strings of a guitar).
I have used fret calculators for various different scale lengths so am familiar with their total flexibility.
To expand on Poorness Studio's comment, although it's been said a million times. The fret calculators will give you fret positions for any scale you can come up with.
One other thing to keep in mind is that scale length is completely arbitrary. Granted guitars are normally 25.5" or 24.75", tenor ukes are normally 17", and so on... But that's not a law, its just a popular convention followed by most manufacturers. If you prefer a 20.25" scale or 19.175" or 18.333" or whatever, there's no reason you can't build one yourself.
Paul, thanks for your very useful suggestions and tips. I'll have a look but I don't think I need any more guitars at present as I already have a Gretsch 2420, a Les Paul copy and the old 6-string I referred to in an earlier post. Including ukes and CBG's I have a vast collection and am running out of space to store them all!! Although I am aware of alternate tunings I tend to use standard ones ... GDG on my CBG's....I cant get on with slides; I prefer finger picking. But thanks for the ideas.
Fender and now Squier make several short scale guitars. The Jaguar, Duo Sonic, Mustang and Music Master were all 24" scale guitars with single coil Strat type pickups and most of them had tremolos on them. The Squier versions can be bought for 200 or 300 dollars these days new or you might find some good deals used.
Another idea is to get 3/4 guitars made for kids in 23" to 25" scale and the bodies are smaller which could make them easier for you to play.
The CBG's smaller body make for easy play for anybody and kinda reminds me of those Steinberger Guitars that came out in the 80's.
I have a 6 string guitar tuned to open D so I can fret with one finger across the board or put on a slide for those days when Arthritis or never problems are kicking my behind.
More than one way to skin a cat, but it won't taste like chicken. ;)
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