[SuperB23]

Kind of silly but after owning 18 Gretsch guitars over the last 15 years. I had never noticed that the 17" wide body guitars like the Falcons, Phoenix, and Country Club have the longer 25.5" scale length. All the 16" wide models and the solid body models seem to have the shorter 24.6" scale length. Both the acoustic guitars I own are 25.5 and I always liked the Falcon and Phenix models a lot more then the Nashiville guitars. Its just a personal preference but I had never noticed the difference in the scale length. I'm pretty sure that the longer scale is a big part of why I liked all these 17" wide Gretsch guitars more then the small ones.

Don't get me wrong, I love Nashvilles and Silver Jets but I always have prefer the Falcon models overall.

The longer scale does change the sound, playability, and feel of the whole guitar.

[Synchro]

I have quite an assortment of guitars ranging in scale length from 24" (my Jaguar) to 25.5". I love the feel of a 25.5" guitar, there's a tautness and substance that can't be denied. I move between all of my guitars without any difficulty, but the 25.5" ones do feel like putting on a favorite old pair of boots.

[Thunderball]

When I was buying my Falcon I checked all the specs and was kind of afraid of the 25.5 scale. Then I checked my other guitars - my Strat, some acoustics - and realized I have been playing and enjoying 25.5 scale guitars all along. For me, no big deal when it comes to scale length; but if I had to choose, I do prefer the 25.5 scale over the shorter scale on my 5120.

[workknot]

Question on scale lengths and string tension. Does a longer scale have more tension on the strings or less tension? I could search it out on the Internet but am feeling lazy today. Thanks.

Oops I found this.
We looked at the tone shaping impact of acoustic guitar tops. In this issue we want to explore the implications of an instruments' scale length on playability and sound.

A guitar's scale length is the distance between the bone nut or zero fret and the bridge's saddle. This measurement not only determines the placement of the frets for proper intonation, but has a profound effect on string tension, tone, and in some cases, tuning stability.

The physics is fairly easy to grasp. If two guitars of different scale lengths (i.e. Fender and Gibson guitars) are strung with equal gauge strings and tuned to normal concert pitch, the shorter scale Gibson will have less tension , resulting in a "looser" feel. You can prove this to yourself by capoing any guitar at the first fret (effectively shorting the scale length) and then retuning down to concert pitch. The strings will now be under less tension, making them easier to bend and vibrato. You may also notice that the instrument now has more "buzzing" and "fret rattle" when played, because of the increased vibrating amplitude of the looser strings.

While some electric guitarists use a shorter scale instrument to achieve less string tension and easier playability, others see it as an opportunity to get a "thicker" tone utilizing heavier gauge strings. For instance, take two identical electric guitar bodies, one fitted with a 25 1/2", and the other with a 24 3/4" scale neck. If you find your technique requires using .009 - .042 gauge strings on the longscale, you'll probably get the same feel utilizing a heavier .010 - .046 gauge on the short scale instrument, The heavier gauge strings will also have the side-effect of inducing more voltage in your pickups, resulting in a "thicker" fundamental note, and more output.

Scale length also has sonic implications connected with acoustic instruments. A shorter scale acoustic guitar often produces a "woody" tone with an overall warm timbre, while a longer scale is perceived as having more power overall, with increased clarity and distinction in the bass registers. Both sounds are valid, and historically it is not without precedent for a manufacturer to issue two models of guitars whose main difference is scale length (i.e. Martin's 000 and OM models) or offer the same model with long or short scale as an option (Ramirez concert classicals

Pop's

[Synchro]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

When I was buying my Falcon I checked all the specs and was kind of afraid of the 25.5 scale. Then I checked my other guitars - my Strat, some acoustics - and realized I have been playing and enjoying 25.5 scale guitars all along. For me, no big deal when it comes to scale length; but if I had to choose, I do prefer the 25.5 scale over the shorter scale on my 5120.

Much agreed.

Originally Posted by workknot

Question on scale lengths and string tension. Does a longer scale have more tension on the strings or less tension? I could search it out on the Internet but am feeling lazy today. Thanks.

Oops I found this.
We looked at the tone shaping impact of acoustic guitar tops. In this issue we want to explore the implications of an instruments' scale length on playability and sound.

A guitar's scale length is the distance between the bone nut or zero fret and the bridge's saddle. This measurement not only determines the placement of the frets for proper intonation, but has a profound effect on string tension, tone, and in some cases, tuning stability.

The physics is fairly easy to grasp. If two guitars of different scale lengths (i.e. Fender and Gibson guitars) are strung with equal gauge strings and tuned to normal concert pitch, the shorter scale Gibson will have less tension , resulting in a "looser" feel. You can prove this to yourself by capoing any guitar at the first fret (effectively shorting the scale length) and then retuning down to concert pitch. The strings will now be under less tension, making them easier to bend and vibrato. You may also notice that the instrument now has more "buzzing" and "fret rattle" when played, because of the increased vibrating amplitude of the looser strings.

While some electric guitarists use a shorter scale instrument to achieve less string tension and easier playability, others see it as an opportunity to get a "thicker" tone utilizing heavier gauge strings. For instance, take two identical electric guitar bodies, one fitted with a 25 1/2", and the other with a 24 3/4" scale neck. If you find your technique requires using .009 - .042 gauge strings on the longscale, you'll probably get the same feel utilizing a heavier .010 - .046 gauge on the short scale instrument, The heavier gauge strings will also have the side-effect of inducing more voltage in your pickups, resulting in a "thicker" fundamental note, and more output.

Scale length also has sonic implications connected with acoustic instruments. A shorter scale acoustic guitar often produces a "woody" tone with an overall warm timbre, while a longer scale is perceived as having more power overall, with increased clarity and distinction in the bass registers. Both sounds are valid, and historically it is not without precedent for a manufacturer to issue two models of guitars whose main difference is scale length (i.e. Martin's 000 and OM models) or offer the same model with long or short scale as an option (Ramirez concert classicals

Pop's

another thing to keep in mind it that the difference between a 24.6" scale and a 25.5" scale is about 3.5% so that differences, while real, are incremental. These days I don't have a strong preference either way, as Thunderball says, it's "no big deal" but I love the feel of a 25.5" guitar. Strangely, and for no reason I can account for, the 24" scale Jaguar I own feels very solid in my hands. I have light strings on it but it still feels as if it has a lot of string tension. I don't know why it feels like that.

[SuperB23]

I've found the shorter scales allow you to use bigger strings a little easier if you are into larger strings. Also the Shorter scale is a little easier to do bends which makes sence. I've also noticed the shorter scale seems to make hammer ons sound a little louder and more pronounced.

All that being said the longer scale seems to move the top a little better and gives the instrument more volume which is what I prefer and I also play acoustic guitars a lot so I'm used to the longer scale with a little bit bigger strings.

Interesting stuff!!

Originally Posted by Synchro

Much agreed.


another thing to keep in mind it that the difference between a 24.6" scale and a 25.5" scale is about 3.5% so that differences, while real, are incremental. These days I don't have a strong preference either way, as Thunderball says, it's "no big deal" but I love the feel of a 25.5" guitar. Strangely, and for no reason I can account for, the 24" scale Jaguar I own feels very solid in my hands. I have light strings on it but it still feels as if it has a lot of string tension. I don't know why it feels like that.

[Renegade]

Originally Posted by Synchro

I have quite an assortment of guitars ranging in scale length from 24" (my Jaguar) to 25.5". I love the feel of a 25.5" guitar, there's a tautness and substance that can't be denied. I move between all of my guitars without any difficulty, but the 25.5" ones do feel like putting on a favorite old pair of boots.

I have both scale lengths, but I prefer the 25.5 as well.

[JimmyJam]

I like the shorter scale length. Easier to play for me.

[drmilktruck]

Originally Posted by JimmyJam

I like the shorter scale length. Easier to play for me.

For awhile I was obsessed with short scale guitars - owned three Gretsch Ramblers, a Gibson ES-140 3/4, a Guild M-65 3/4, Fender DuoSonic, Ricky 325. Sold all of them except 2 Ramblers (and currently) the Fender. Now I'm back enjoying the 24.6 std Gretsch scale, even got a Taylor GC-7 with the shorter scale. Can't do the 25.5 inch scale comfortably yet. The Rambler is the most comfortable easy playing guitar I own. If it had a 24 in scale instead of 23, it'd be a near perfect Jet style HB guitar. Kind of funny that 1-2 inch makes such a huge difference but it can really feel different.

[yettoblaster]

Originally Posted by JimmyJam

I like the shorter scale length. Easier to play for me.

Me too. I thought I was gonna be the exception here.

I definitely prefer 6120's to Country Clubs, having had both. Most archtops, in fact, feel better to me with the shorter scale.

Now on a solidbody I like the "fight" of a 25.5" scale length.

Maybe because I grew up on a short scale Gibson J-45 acoustic, the shorter scales always seem like going home to me.

I was happy to score a damaged L-5 once for cheap. My grail guitar! After I fixed it and strung it up I couldn't wait to get rid of it! It just wasn't me. I couldn't get used to it even though I tried.

[Thunderball]

Perhaps it comes down to what we do on our guitars. I am strictly a rhythm and fingerpicking guitarist, only played one lead in my entire life. I know the difference is slight, but it just seems there's more room to move on a 25.5 scale guitar for my chord strumming and Travis picking. Chord playing on a shorter scale just seems bunched up...same with fingerpicking on a shorter scale.

I suppose for lead playing one would like the shorter scale to fly all over and the "looseness" of the strings for bending that the shorter scale provides.

[araT]

I have loads with both scales, and I have to say I'm totally on the fence on this one.. I don't mind either, I buy a guitar (and play the guitar) for what it is.. Nitro or poly, rosewood or maple, 25.5 or 24.75 scale, 7", 9" or 12" raduis.. if I like how it plays/feels, I wont fuss, I'll just take it

[JohnnyRingo]

I have problems with pinched nerves due to neck/back problems.I've learned that after playing a Gretsch Tenny long scale with 011-049's I could never play 009's on a LP ever again.It was like playing worn out rubberbands,but it was also hard to play 011's on the Tenny,so I raised up to 010-046's and lowered to the same for the long scale and found a happy medium.It made buying strings easier,but honestly I would prefer '011's on the short scale.I do use 011's on my 6120,for some reason it has to have them,whether I like it or not.

[fenderslash]

Here's another vote for a 25.5 preference, probably due to playing my first two Teles to death for many years before branching out into other things. Even though that's still my prefence I can happily cope with the 24.6 without any worries. Anything shorter feels bunched-up though.

[Sarah93003]

I'm on the fence also. I have both and it feels seemless to me when I go from one to the other. The shape and size of the neck is a bigger concern that affects playability for me.

[gringo]

I agree with Sarah that there is more involved than just scale length. Fret wire choice makes quite a difference.

Anyone have a guitar with a scalloped fingerboard? That's the one direction I have yet to venture in.

[Synchro]

Originally Posted by yettoblaster

Me too. I thought I was gonna be the exception here.

I definitely prefer 6120's to Country Clubs, having had both. Most archtops, in fact, feel better to me with the shorter scale.

Now on a solidbody I like the "fight" of a 25.5" scale length.

Maybe because I grew up on a short scale Gibson J-45 acoustic, the shorter scales always seem like going home to me.

I was happy to score a damaged L-5 once for cheap. My grail guitar! After I fixed it and strung it up I couldn't wait to get rid of it! It just wasn't me. I couldn't get used to it even though I tried.

I played a natural finished Wes model a few weeks ago. Absolute, undying love.

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Perhaps it comes down to what we do on our guitars. I am strictly a rhythm and fingerpicking guitarist, only played one lead in my entire life. I know the difference is slight, but it just seems there's more room to move on a 25.5 scale guitar for my chord strumming and Travis picking. Chord playing on a shorter scale just seems bunched up...same with fingerpicking on a shorter scale.

I suppose for lead playing one would like the shorter scale to fly all over and the "looseness" of the strings for bending that the shorter scale provides.

When I played a lot of chord-melody material I insisted upon a long scale guitar. OTOH, playing lead parts to Surf tunes on my 24" Jaguar feels perfect.

[Mark W]

Originally Posted by Sarah93003

I'm on the fence also. I have both and it feels seemless to me when I go from one to the other. The shape and size of the neck is a bigger concern that affects playability for me.

I agree with Sara. I have guitars with both scales, but have fewer with the 25.5". I use 11's on my Gretsch's, but I am switching to 10's with a wound 3rd on my other electrics.

But if'n I had to choose, I would go with the longer scale...but I don't so I won't.

[Bear]

I love the Gretsch 24.6" scale better than any other scale length. Anything shorter is too short for me and anything longer than 24.75" I find uncomfortable except on a Stratocaster and I can't tell you why. I wish I could get a double cut Falcon with the short Scale length and a 16" body. Then again, on a fixed income, maybe I'm glad I can't.

[JimmyJam]

So what is the shortest scale length on a Gretsch?
The "new" Tim Armstrong is 24.33" (618 mm)