Comment

Comment by Paul Craig on November 11, 2019 at 10:43am

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.

Comment by Paul Craig on November 11, 2019 at 9:26am

The different group names for the scale lengths are there to help identify what size guitar is being used.

Comment by Bernie Edwards on November 8, 2019 at 10:16pm

Interesting...another aspect of long vs short scale lengths!

Comment by Uncle John on November 8, 2019 at 4:24am

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.  

Comment by Bernie Edwards on November 8, 2019 at 3:30am

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.

Comment by KOOL DOG HOOCH on November 8, 2019 at 2:01am

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.

Comment by Poorness Studios on November 8, 2019 at 1:52am

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.

Comment by Bernie Edwards on November 7, 2019 at 11:02pm

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.

Comment by Paul Craig on November 7, 2019 at 6:33pm

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.

Comment by Paul Craig on November 7, 2019 at 6:10pm

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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