Does Scale Length Matter? Picking the Guitar You Love The Most

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Big Thanks to Ben Mathews for the backing tracks!
Does scale length really make that big of a difference?
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[@Em_Dee_Aitch]

Scale length isn’t about sound. It’s about FEEL.

[@RJ-mz3co]

As a 68-year-old newbie with small hands and some minor arthritis, I definitely find shorter scale guitars easier to play. I have a PRS Santana SE with 24.5" scale. I can't make some of the common chords on a 25.5" scale: my fingers just don't stretch. Sometimes I think I should have gotten a 24" scale guitar, but I like my PRS.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Heyy congrats on starting to play! I had an S2 Starla for a bit that also had the 24.5" scale, it was super fun to play. What style do you play?

[@RJ-mz3co]

@@ElliottKleinguitar I don't play much. Just learning the open chords and some simple rock riffs.

[@jdmac44]

Definitely love the thick sound of the LP/594 on the distorted rock parts. ❤

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Likewise!

[@wallyg3]

For me, I think the sound differences are minor - more about the pickups and bridge construction than the scale length. Scale length for me is all about the feel. I need to get a 24.5" tele conversion neck to be certain though. Even then, it would be about how much does the sound change vs the feel change - which one wins out?

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Or maybe a 24.5-25.5 fanned fret!

[@wallyg3]

@@ElliottKleinguitar I've never tried one, definitely curious.

[@OscarBenben]

It makes a difference in your playing comfort and tuning stability more than with the sound

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

It’d say the sound is a close third

[@akbarhakim7127]

I think so, watching this video wasting my time haha

[@massimilianoasara]

Nice comparison about tone color, thanks. But now i'd definitely love to have your voice tone color most of all.

[@Polarisfff]

The longer the neck, the stronger the string tension. I think the longer the string, you have more resonance and the string is louder. This it what I feel between my Gibson Les Paul Standard Axcess Custom and my Fender American Strat.

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

Strats die out faster than Les Pauls. They aren’t known for their sustain. Probably due to the tremolo.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

@isaiahmarquez9717 I mean, not THAT much faster

[@shamsaliriaz5264]

The scale length discussion is an interesting one for me because, as you know, I use an 8 string with the bottom two strings taken off. In order to get the guitar feeling like a standard 6 string, I have to tune down as low as maybe drop A#. The scale length is 26.5 inches so it's just shy of a baritone guitar atm. So, from that observation, I was was curious if that may have been a benefit of Fender guitars for bands that tune down. The ones that come to mind are Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan (though Stevie also went insane with the string gauge) that would commonly use Eb standard.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Fender scale length with 10-52 strings are actually great for tuning down, I used to do that a lot but it didn’t make a ton of sense of other genres

[@smk666]

I use Elixirs 9-42 on almost all 25,5" guitars I own and 10-46 on ones with 24,75" scale. They feel similar, but overall I seem to prefer 24,75". Anyway, all my guitars feel off even when tuned half step down (and ofc have setup done to accommodate new geometry that it brings) and I always go back to the standard tuning. I also have one "for metal" axe that's strung with 10-52 specifically for drop D tuning, but it's still my least favorite.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

I had a few year 10-52 phase, it was certainly it’s own sound haha. Massive lows

[@smk666]

@@ElliottKleinguitar For me it's not a matter of sound, since I don't hear much difference under tons of gain but rather an attempt to balance out the tension when doing drop D. I just hate how floppy low E string becomes when tuned down full step. On the other hand other strings from the 10-52 set are not comfortable and familiar enough for me on 25,5" scale. I'm actually thinking about trying out the usual 9-42 I use for that scale, but with gauge 52 low E bought separately or just getting 9-52 7-string set and using B string as E.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Under tons of gain no, but with a Fender amp clean tone it’s definitely a huge low end (if I remember correctly)

[@CJZM7777]

I like all scale lengths but find strings easier to bend on 24.75 or 25 vs 25.5. I also can reach stretch cords easier on shorter scales. At the moment, I like the sound and feel of PRS pattern regular neck which is 25 length and 1.65 wide at the nut. Medium deep - a little deeper than thin neck Gibson but not as deep as a 1950s style Gibson. I do agree scale length affects sound too but it's hard to tell unless you had same guitar and same pickups with only difference being scale length.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

I’m into the pattern regular as well, that’s the neck on the Vela

[@miguelangelvacaheredia8230]

Great topic video, on my own experience there si a BIg difference about the scale lenght and the tone and playability. I have 3 fender guitars, stratocaster and telecaster 25.5" scale and I have Duo sonic 2022 that is 24" scale, they feel very different when playing, specially when you are playing Rhythm songs, the short scale requiers to be more carefully on the strengh of the strumming, when you are playing lead songs, the shorter scale es more esay with the bendings and easy to move around the freatboard..... im planing to get a Fender powercaster in order to have a 24.75" scale guitar....or maybe I will get a Cyclone squier

[@hanskung3278]

A short scale is what makes playing so much easier, also a narrow width neck and a thin neck.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

I actually find that past a certain point a thin neck is harder to play for me. Like a 16” radius with a thin neck especially

[@martinsodero9729]

Thanks man.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Thank you

[@chocolatecookie8571]

Scale length to me is more important for the leftarm wrist. The longer the scale the more uncomfortable it gets playing in the first frets region. With a shorter scale I don’t have to reach that far

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

True, sometimes I feel like its a bit easier to solo high up on a longer scale length, so my fingers aren’t tripping over each other

[@chocolatecookie8571]

@@ElliottKleinguitar correct, that is on the contrary the benefit of a longer scale. However, if you use smaller frets you can compensate the shorter scale. Then you can play the higher notes without imitating Slash 😁

[@chocolatecookie8571]

@@ElliottKleinguitar for me the Dunlop 6105 frets have the right measures. Small and high

[@DanMmusic]

Nice backing tracks! Those solos sounded good!

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

😘

[@boriscat1999]

I don't know about you guitar guys arguing over an inch. ;-) An octave mandolin (or mandola) can show up from 18" to 22", that's four inches of variation on a very small instrument, and any of those can be tuned either CGDA or GDAE seemingly regardless of scale length (individual instruments seem to work better with one versus another). Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukulele are 13" to 17" and all tuned the same (gCEA).

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

wait say you're saying it doesn't matter for a mandolin but it does matter for a ukulele?

[@DroneCorpse]

I wish you’d spoken more about the feel than the sound. The differences in pickups, string condition, hell even wood contribute way more to the tone than the scale length.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Those things are all contributors as well, but different topics. Maybe future videos!

[@secilymusic]

What's the longest and shortest scale length a guitar can have before it's not a guitar anymore? Also, great video as per usual. I really appreciate showing the different tones cuz I haven't really ever understood the difference much and this is cool to start to hear those differences.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Hmm I think whatever a Mustang or Duo Sonic is and for longest probably 27-28in? Really whatever Meshuggahs guitar scale length is 😂

[@wallyg3]

Fender Mustang and DuoSonic are 24". Anything less than that, down to about 21 is considered a Tenor guitar. 26-30 is considered a Baritone Guitar.

[@DocHelliday]

@@wallyg3 I believe OG student model Duo Sonics actually were 22.5 (which I've been told is basically like capo'ing a normal 25.5 at the 2nd fret) and Selmer Gypsy Jazz style (Maccaferri) are as long as 26.62

[@drewsleyy3836]

For watchers - what you’re mostly hearing here is a difference in pickups. The scale length has a very subtle effect, but not much more. Would’ve been a useful video if the guitars were all solid body strats with the same pickups but different necks, or something

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

That would’ve been different scale length only, not different scale length guitars

[@drewsleyy3836]

@@ElliottKleinguitar The video is called "does scale length matter" 🤷🏻‍♂ great playing tho!

[@Vent0sitas]

This^^^

[@jdmac44]

Paul Reed Smith would disagree with you, hence the entire line of guitars dubbed "594".

[@gavinalmeida1994]

Some sounded better in a certain genre, but all workable, string tension is the reason why im looking around from my Strat , I like 11-13 guage but the tensions are getting hectic, I no longer gig so I don't play often so even 11's(Ernie Ball Beefy slinky)on the 25,5 is hectic. That 22 G is a killer

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

I think its common for players to adapt. Off tour/regular gigging both Vai and Jeff Beck mentioned going way lighter, and then jumping a few string gauges during a tour

[@kylezakk]

Every guitar I own has a 25.5" scale but I bought a Carvin st300 with a 25" scale and the difference isn't that noticeable to me. One of my friends who plays a schecter with a 26" scale tells me that gibson/epiphones feel like kids guitars.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

A 26”? Baritone?

[@kylezakk]

@@ElliottKleinguitar I'm not sure, its a 7 strang

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Oh nice! I always thought 7 strings were 26.5-28”

[@kunkmiceter]

I feel the same as your friend does. 24.75" scale necks are too short and harder to play for people with longer fingers. Wish more single cut 25.5" scales were available.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Basically teles right? Especially the HH ones?

[@NerfAlice]

Everyone says sound difference being that yeah all guitar's sound different. 24 inch scale like a mustang the frets are closer and easier to get that stretch. Les pauls and SGs are 24.75 you wouldn't think that .75 makes alot of difference but it's harder to reach sometimes you can't notice unless you are standing. And 25.5 like a fender at least normally is definitely harder to make the reach. Each has to do with tension on the strings like you can put 10s on all of those and bend the crap out of a Mustang with a 24 inch scale and not put in that much work. No one ever talks about reach it's important the sound comes more from your fingers and the guitar mainly you and your fingers. And before anything is said about that I'm ambidextrous. I can take the same guitar and play it with writing way and it will sound a bit different. So it dose have some to do with your fingers. So longer scale you work harder on those bends and reach. Shorter scale you don't work hard on bends and the reach is literally right there.

[@tcjensen1]

Try a 24” scale with 12’s and narrow frets. All the benefits none of the downsides

[@rafaellewis1263]

Would narrow be better than jumbo on a 24”? I’m getting a custom neck from Warmoth for my Jag and will totally switch the order if you got a good reason! Help a simpleton out? 😄

[@tcjensen1]

I love 6130 frets but would never want them on a 24 because there are triads I want to be able hit above the 12th fret. Personally I’d do 6230 or 6105. 6230’s are still ok for me on 24.75 scale tho, as are 6150

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

@rafaellewis1263 unfortunately I have zero experience on something as short as 24”. But in general I do appreciate a narrow nut width (sometimes found on the Sire 335 if you want to check one out)

[@royghosn18]

I really wish u talked about the feel differences

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

They’re weirdly all quite slinky, so other than having more space on the high frets with a longer scale length there isn’t much difference

[@didifischervideo]

I alwas felt 25" the most conmfortable scale length for playing - but tonewise the most "neutral" an not so "characteristic". IMHO

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

I suppose at that stage you’d shape the character more with pedals/amps

[@didifischervideo]

@@ElliottKleinguitar I play guitar NOT pedals - I use a few pedals to increase the character of the guitar, not to alter it. If I play a strat and want a tele or an archtop - I play a tele, or an archtop ; )

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Through different amps instead of pedals in that case, or simply swap pickups which also works

[@didifischervideo]

@@ElliottKleinguitar Everything changes the sound: different woods, strings, amps, pedals, picks and humidity. BUT you did a video about 3 different scale lengths - and I posted my personal opinion about 25" scale length ; ) I'm very interested in the PRS Roben Ford signature, but it's a 25" ...

[@ronsiegel1084]

Is the McCarty a core or S2?

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

S2, very very cool guitar though

[@brothersnippy1373]

It's simple, longer scale gives you more twang, shorter scale gives you more beef.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Abasi guitars and Meshuggah are definitely twangy!

[@dplj4428]

Adam Neely wont be mad i found you. He sent us here.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Im sure he wouldn’t and I’m sure he did, welcome!

[@acdclexu6296]

i dont know for me are most strat to boring sounding definetly prefer a sg or es

[@llwonder]

Honestly I’ve never cared for the little details of guitar in regards to if they make a sonic difference. I’m not saying they don’t sound different, but I certainly don’t obsess over minor differences. I think pickups will make up 92% of your sound and rosewood vs maple is probably 5%. The remainder is just mojo and other weird behavior. Some people get in a weird tribe where they’ll only buy X pickup, Y radius, Z pick guard material, Delta fretwire… etc they over think.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

I didn’t for a long time, but honestly it’s more for a fun deep dive into the world of guitar than a 100% serious big deal (at least to me)

[@hanskung3278]

What happened to 24 "?

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

That wasn’t covered as 1) its not as common and 2) I dont have a 24” scale guitar

[@toms3664]

How about a white falcon?

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

what's that?

[@gibson2623]

It s matters in practice in only one way..... and it is not a sonic way.... it s a physical way.... short hand? you want a short scale then.....PERIOD! that s it..... the rest is masturbation and is silly

[@spilbee]

Jaguar

[@dfn808]

Seriously, you are trying to demonstrate tonal qualities of scale lengths when each guitar has different pickup's?

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

How about “comparing scale lengths and their typical pickup configurations”

[@dfn808]

@@ElliottKleinguitar My apologies, that sounded harsher than I intended (must remember to put smiley face). I think the only way to test fairly and accurately would be to make 3 guitars from the same woods, use all the same hardware and just alter the scale length of each neck. There's a project for someone :)

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

@@dfn808 I'd like to see that video as well, although that seems more like a "Myth Busters"/investigative video, whereas my goal was to compare 3 common guitars with different scale lengths. Your idea reminds of the tonewood experiment video where the guy gets rid of the pickups and eventually the guitar, if you haven't seen that one yet I'd highly recommend it.

[@dfn808]

@@ElliottKleinguitar Yeah, you may be right, a bit too much :) Not seen that video, I'll try to find it.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

@@dfn808 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGGVpXyjmMpmd6c here ya go!

[@b.j.taylor9576]

Humbuckers on 25.5 scale guitars are brighter than 24.75 scale guitars but they still have character. Gibson and Fender were both smart enough to not pick the ugly, sterile, cold 25" scale region!

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Yes they can be brighter on a 25.5 for sure. Have you ever tried the PRS Special Semi-Hollow?

[@valueofnothing2487]

I think in order to understand the difference in scale length, you need to hold the the pickup location - not to mention pickup constant. So, I think you should change the title of you video to say you are comparing these guitars and seeing how the compare.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

I suppose I could have split the coil on the 594 but to imitate a single coil but it would just still sound like that guitar but a little clearer. It could be a valid argument to say I shouldn’t change the pickups and we should be comparing scale lengths with their most common pickup pairings. Or I think everyone still gets the point but maybe I’ll make a “neck humbucker + scale length comparison” at some point. Probably not but who knows

[@0074craig]

as far as the title of this video is there really isnt any talk about scale length except someone playing on Apples and Oranges and Bananas and Pears to compare the length Take one guitar and do a comparison ! Im just saying

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

To be clear you’re suggesting I take one guitar body and swap the neck from a 25.5” to a 25” and 24.564”?

[@0074craig]

@@ElliottKleinguitar Maybe you should talk about that scale length instead of Playing on your Banana or Oranges That might might help

[@valueofnothing2487]

@@ElliottKleinguitar I think the reason there is so much confusion is because no one has ever done an actual experiment comparing scale lengths. It's too expensive to do it right. If you got a conversion neck from Warmoth, for example, if you started with a normal strat, the pickups will be a bit forward when you put the put the 24".75 conversion neck. But it's probably the least expensive alternative. My feeling is you would not notice a difference in the tone, but you would in the play ability, since the notes down the neck would be more crunched up, and it would a little easier to bend notes.

[@MartyMcDonnald]

Dude, you tested 3 COMPLETELY different guitars, and you're talking about difference in tone based on the scale?!?! hahahahah

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

👍🏼

[@brothersnippy1373]

This video is pretty useless at showing any difference that scale lengths makes with that backing track going. Also the fact that one of the guitars is a hollowbody make it not a good comparison.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Feel free to make the video you wanted to see and send it my way, I would love to check out your version!

[@emmanuelwood8702]

If the guitars were all made of the same woods and had the same pickups bridges hardware etc except for scale length then this would make sense otherwise this was a pointless video.

[@ElliottKleinguitar]

Sure, thanks for the pointless comment!