A guitar’s scale length is calculated by measuring the distance from the front edge of the nut, where it butts against the end of the fingerboard, to the center of the 12th (octave) fret, then doubling that measurement.
Likewise, people ask, are shorter scale length guitars easier to play?
All factors being equal (string gauge, string length beyond the nut and saddle, break angles, and so on), shorter scales produce lower string tension, are more elastic, easier to fret, and require less arm extension.
Beside above, do short scale guitars sound different? Guitars with short scale lengths tend to sound warmer and a tad fuller than guitars with longer scales, as the lower amount of tension allows their strings to vibrate more freely.
Similarly one may ask, does scale length affect sound?
Whether your guitar is hardtail or vibrato-loaded, set-neck or bolt-on, humbucker or single-coil, its scale length influences the character of its sound before any other components even get to join in the game.
How long is a 3/4 size guitar?
Key specifications
| ¾ guitar | Full size guitar | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall size | 36 x 13 inches | 40 x 15 inches |
| Scale length | 24 inches or less | 24 inches or more |
| Frets | 18 or less | 19 or more |
| Warranty | Depends on the manufacturer | Depends on the manufacturer |
How long is a 7/8 scale guitar?
The 7/8 guitars have an overall length of 37″ (94.0 cm) with a scale length of 24″ (61.0 cm). Compared to the smallest full-sized parlor guitars, the 7/8 guitar is only about 1″ (1.5 cm) smaller, almost not noticeable. A 7/8 guitar is approximately 4″ (10 cm) smaller than a full-sized dreadnought guitar.
Is a longer scale guitar harder to play?
Because the strings on a shorter-scale are under less tension, they are easier to bend and fret. The wider fret spacing on longer-scale guitars also means that, depending on the size of your hands, they can be a little more difficult to play than those with a shorter scale.
What difference does scale length make?
The most important impact scale length makes is on the tension of the strings. The longer the scale length, the higher the tension needs to be to bring the string up to pitch. A short scale length requires very little tension to bring the strings up to pitch when compared to a longer scale guitar.
What effect does scale length have on acoustic guitar?
We find that using a short scale will most often make a guitar’s tone softer and warmer. The shorter scale also makes the guitar feel easier to play due to less string tension (when compared to a long-scale instrument).
What is a guitars scale length?
The scale length of a guitar is, in common parlance, the distance from the nut to the saddle, and, more precisely, the distance from the nut to the 12th fret multiplied by two (don’t miss our post on measuring scale length if you need to take this measurement on your own guitar).
What is the advantage of a 12 fret guitar?
A 12-fret guitar has its bridge further from the soundhole, closer to the lower bout, allowing it to sit on a more flexible place on the top and offering more sustain on smaller bodies.