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Comment by Bernie Edwards on November 6, 2019 at 10:34pm

Thanks David...another good idea that hadn't occurred to me. I'll give it a try,

Comment by Bernie Edwards on November 6, 2019 at 10:32pm

I don't have any physical issues with my hands, just smaller than average I guess...or shorter than average arms!

I did have a nylon strung 6-string guitar but found that even harder to master because of it's sheer physical size. However I haven't tried a CBG with nylon...obviously I could only use them on a piezo pickup instrument to get amplification.

Thanks Brian as you have put another idea into my head!

Comment by BrianQ. on November 6, 2019 at 6:58am

I’m guessing you’re trying to offset an issue with your hands? Plenty of people with hand issues here use Nylon classical strings? I have seen several build fretted & fretless sliders with them? Good luck :)

Comment by David L. on November 6, 2019 at 6:48am

Due to a neurological problem there are times when I have difficulty with a full scale regular guitar. To make it easier I tend to down tune the strings and use a capo, or just use a capo and play in a higher key.  Also I sometimes switch to a 3/4 size classical guitar.

If you want six strings on a smaller scale check out "guitalele" online - Yamaha do a six string one with a 17"scale - the trade off is you tune it like a guitar with a capo at the 5th fret (ADGCEA). 

Comment by Paul Craig on November 5, 2019 at 6:37pm

It's all about the scale length and the strings used with said scale.

I have a 28" scale Dulcitar with a regular set of 10's for guitar instead of Baritone guitar strings. The trade off is that while the strings are tight(tuned drop C) and hard to do bends, it makes a dark toned instrument sound brighter.

Stevie Ray Vaughn used a set of 11 regular guitar strings on his 25.5" scale Strat and tuned it down a step to D/G/D/F/A/D to make the strings loose enough to do all the crazy bends he could do while keeping some harmonic influence. Some trade offs work.

Comment by KOOL DOG HOOCH on November 4, 2019 at 1:05am

Is this a question about the long and short of it?

Comment by Bernie Edwards on November 3, 2019 at 9:00pm

Paul you are absolutely right...it is something I have studied and experienced when building keyboard instruments. In the context here I find the trade-off between  my ukes and guitars quite noticable (c. 17ins vs 24.75ins) even allowing for dramatically different string materials.

Comment by Paul Craig on November 3, 2019 at 12:01pm

The longer scales add more harmonic influence due to the tightness of the strings, but the playability aspects of the shorter scales make them fun/easier to play.

It's harder on the fingers to bend notes on a 25.5" scale guitar, but the harmonics are awesome. 24.5"/24.75" scale is easy to bend notes, but the harmonics are subdued. That's why I love the 25" scale for guitar and CBG's Move down to Tenor scale 19" to 24" and face similar results to the longer scales. At least for me.

Comment by Bernie Edwards on November 3, 2019 at 2:46am

Yes Mark that makes it about the scale length/size of a baritone uke. The fact you like playing it suggests the direction I should go in.

Comment by Mark Gentry on November 2, 2019 at 10:31am

I have made several 23 inch scale 3 stringers, find them easier to play without slide.

Also made a 20 inch scale for my 7 year old grandson & I enjoying playing it myself. 

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