Guitar Scale Length Comparison : Short Scale vs Long Scale 000/OM

Is there any discernible difference between a short and long scale guitar with the same body shape and woods?
I dunno. You tell me!
Comparing a Martin 000-28 and a Martin OM-28, both guitars are brand new 2020 production.
The 000 has a "short" 24.9" scale length, and the OM has a "long" 25.5" scale length.
For those wondering what the heck scale length is, it is the distance between the saddle and the nut.
000-28
Strumming 0:01 Flatpicking 3:09 Fingerpicking 6:04
OM-28
Strumming 1:36 Flatpicking 4:50 Fingerpicking 7:24
Like always, I'm not making a statement here. It's just for fun.
Recorded with Shure KSM32, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, Logic Pro, no additional processing.
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Thumbpick amzn.to/3wDSXlj
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My Original Songs - • My Music
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[@DtongPyo]

Wow, I was surprised at how much difference there was. I preferred the OM strummed and flatpicked, but for fingerpicking I preferred the 000. Thanks for posting!

[@mikenorman6697]

Completely agree!

[@iannicholls7476]

Thanks for that. Hearing them both side by side makes it clear that there is a difference. Neither is better than the other but it’s a personal choice thing.

[@raymonddahlin2181]

Nice playing Ian

[@johnwashburn3793]

Ian, I would like to thank you for a great afternoon listening to your guitar guitar playing and informative videos. You say so much without a single word. If you have a 12 fret, wide neck, slotted headstock...I want one.

[@johnoffutt898]

They are both outstanding! Some would prefer OM-28 and others 000-28. I like the 000-28 tonal palette of different colours and flavors.

[@YourFavouriteColor]

having good experience with both models, it sounds to me the OM has newer strings on it. The higher tension will provide a bit more brilliance, but I think this disparity was bigger than it usually is.

[@stephenbrayfield4135]

Id like to add that the slightly closer frets and lighter tension of sort scale make it easier for short fingers and arthritic conditions. I know I probably lost a little sound quality but I went with a 000 because of this.

[@dirtmcgirt75]

Thanks for this - I'm predominantly a fingerstyle player but cursed with short stubby fingers. Ill keep this in mind once my "guitar budget" gets a bit closer to my goal (c:

[@stephenbrayfield4135]

@@dirtmcgirt75 I started with a D28. I don’t play it anymore. I love the size and sound of my 000

[@el34glo59]

You won't lose sound quality with a great 000. That's a complete misnomer. A 000 has a sound that a long scale can't produce. Ans a great player can get any sound they want

[@richardwilson5709]

Stephan.I just bought a 000-28 Brooke Lingertwood , sunburst , signature edition. The very reasons you quoted were same for me, In addition this model has a 1-11/16 neck width. I am going for ease of playing, I hope this works out, I get my new guitar tomorrow.,, back in 1956 my Dad bought me a 000-18 with that deep V neck, OMG it killed my little 7yr old hand and fingers trying to learn to play on that guitar/ Now 68yrs later Martin has made this guitar with a "MODIFIED -V neck profile" and I am all grown up now. Do you think this will work out better for me, now?

[@stephenbrayfield4135]

@@richardwilson5709 I think so. I have a HD28v with that profile. It’s a bit thick but im nit having a problem with it and they say a thicker neck equals more sustain. Strangely my made in 2000 000-18 has the thin c or oval shaped neck which I like. Not a v.

[@mwpv11]

Seems the shorter scale gives a more mellow less twangy tone. The longer scale is more trebly like a tele. Just depends on what you’re looking to get tonally.

[@gibby6904]

I have a 000-18....wish I would have got the OM for the longer scale length....more guts....Im not real fond of the new pickguard on the OM....its squared off at the bottom.....much prefer the teardrop shape....

[@midnight4109]

The question for me is one of playability which is also determined by the style of the neck. I am playing a 25.3" scale length currently and am curious to know how much difference there is between that which is also used in some drednaughts, and the 24.9".

[@rzh3443]

To my ear ,with headphones, the short scale is more balanced especially on the low end. Might work better in a mix without the boominess.

[@mikeprivate3461]

000 seems to have a more mellow sound. I like it. I prefer mellower sounding guitars, I tend to play them for longer periods. I've noticed it even in guitar shops when testing out different guitars. The mellower mahogany back and side guitars get more playtime in my hands.

[@johnwashburn3793]

I have a D18GE and I recently bought an all mahogany 00. It is great for finger picking blues or anything, really.

[@wheninroamful]

indeed, it's all about the long game..

[@el34glo59]

I'm obsessed with short scale Martins now, at least 000-28 Custom Authentics.. But gotta own one of each and you'll see what I mean. 000s, good ones, have more character. Get a good one and you won't be able to put it down Btw there are also bigger differences in this example than scale length. The 000 has 5/16 bracing which is too dam heavy for a short scale imo. The OM 1/4 inch Get a 000 with 1/4 like the 000-28 Custom Authentic, and it will blow the om away, like the Either way I preferred the 000 here

[@stevec.1802]

It’s almost like comparing a slope D/000 to a standard dreadnought/OM. Both have beautiful qualities. The Shure KSM-32 is the ideal choice for these type of comparisons.

[@ianmeadows6351]

it is a fantastic mic for the money.

[@richardwilson5709]

what is a "slope 000?"

[@stevec.1802]

@@richardwilson5709 oops meant to say round shoulder dreadnought.

[@Jess_Jones]

I gotta go with the short scale. Something about the sound I really like.

[@el34glo59]

This guy knows

[@gearhead4005]

I agree, more fullness and tone in general

[@Michael-pm1tq]

I'm assuming that both guitars have the same gauge strings? I'd be interested in hearing the OOO with a gauge higher to somewhat equalise the difference in string tension and see how it stacks up to the OM.

[@johnwashburn3793]

But really? Isn't that the point of this video? Different lengths, all else is the same. Perhaps Ian could wear a purple shirt with the OM and a black shirt with the 000. OMG whiz.

[@Michael-pm1tq]

@@johnwashburn3793 You obviously haven't played guitar long enough to be aware of the reasons why someone may want to choose a short scale guitar and what that means in terms of pros and cons. A lot of people string up their shorter scale guitars (Les Pauls etc) a higher gauge compared to their longer scale guitars (Strats, Teles) while some don't because of preferences in feel and sound. I'll let you figure out why.

[@johnwashburn3793]

@@Michael-pm1tq I apologize for my ignorance and attitude yesterday. I suppose it is hard to be the smartest cat in the room when you must deal with us common folks. My first thought was that you should buy both guitars and string them as you choose. You could also offer Ian $50.00 for time and materials to change the strings to your liking. My personal guitars range from a 17" scale length with a 1.875 nut to the more common D18 size. I rarely play electric guitar but I do have those you mentioned. My first was a Harmony h181 that I purchased new in 1970. I also have an Alvarez 5043 from '72 an Ovation Folklore from about '76 (a 12 fret slotted headstock with 1.9" nut, a fantastic neck)...and so on. I have a rosewood with cedar Washburn Tanglewood from '83 that has a 1 11/16 nut but I have gigged with it often over the past few decades. Most of these do have a scale length about 25.4 however my most recent purchase is a 00 with a 24.9 and quite fun to play. I appreciate your information. Now I understand why I prefer Slinkys on the Les Paul and Super Slinkys on the Strat. I had often wondered...

[@johnwashburn3793]

@@Michael-pm1tq ...I also appreciate you not mentioning that this GS Mini comes with medium gauge strings on its 23.4 scale length neck so that it sounds more like a real guitar, because we were talking about real acoustic Martin guitars.

[@Michael-pm1tq]

@@johnwashburn3793 You have clearly missed the point...

[@nizara.1555]

Scale length is NOT the only difference between these two guitars! Another very significant difference is the bracing: The OM has lighter bracing, that is forward shifted.

[@michaelk7194]

Actually the OM has thicker bracing, I own both.

[@nizara.1555]

@@michaelk7194 Do you have the standard series versions of both? Because the OM has 1/4“ to bracing, compared the 5/16“ bracing on the 000, according to the specifications provided by the Martin website. Congratulations on owning both, I think they are different enough. I actually have both too :) Great guitars

[@el34glo59]

​@@nizara.1555Yeah the OM has 1/4, 000 5/16 unless its a 000-28 Custom Authentic

[@greeneggsandham6720]

I'd have to say the 000-28 sounds like it has more character. At least between these two particular two. Cheers.

[@el34glo59]

Exactly

[@rickyricardo9917]

Please recommend a do it all guitar for all styles, if there is such a thing.

[@richardwilson5709]

Ricky, i would recommend you look at a Martin GPC-16e.

[@stevewright8867]

Martin M-36

[@bobaldo2339]

Long scale sounds better, but short scale is easier to play. And with the Martin 16" (rather flat) fretboard radius, every little bit helps! My next guitar will be a Gibson J-45, or J-15 - both short scale length, and rounder 12" fretboard radius. Now, if my fingers were five inches long I wouldn't care!

[@el34glo59]

Disagree. That's a huge generality. I own both and my short scale is a monster. All depends on how its designed. Get one with 1/4 inch authentic scalloped bracing, thinner top, and hide glue and get back to me. Long scale doesn't always sound better. Trust me man, get the right short scale and it will sound amazing. Btw my long scale os easier to play with a higher string gauge at that. It's all about the setup

[@wheninroamful]

I think he was just saying his feelings/opinions... as were you. But no one is 'right'...of course. @@el34glo59

[@midnight4109]

@@el34glo59 Thanks for the clarification. It shows that it is entirely necessary to try both of these guitars in order to find out which works better depending on finger size of the player I guess.

[@aaronlarsen7447]

The only place I see the Om taking the lead is in the picked lead lines. The ooo has better tone.I have an om28 and never use a pick. I think I fell just short of my personal Holy grail, not whating for a 00018

[@flyingash]

000 is better for bedroom. Living room is OM and porch playing Dreadnought is camping

[@richardwilson5709]

I decided to buy the 000-28 and play the 24.9” scale lenght

[@williamw2306]

I purchased an OM-18e a few years ago. If finger picking I tend to tune a half step down and place capo at first fret. This seems to replicate the 000 feel. Best of both worlds?

[@el34glo59]

Still not the same exact thing as bracing would have to be identical. Also frets are spaced differently. Etc. Depends on the guitar. But sure, you can use a capo and tune down. I just like 000s better. They have this character that's hard to describe. Although some are duds. Gotta find the right one

[@tcjensen1]

000 literally sounds looser while OM sounds tighter, which makes a ton of sense :) Funny how the string tension is also about the best way to explain the sound difference. I think the OM is the most overrated in Martin’s lineup, since the M36 does “OM things” better and the 000 has a niche with bluesy stuff. The M36 is no less comfortable to hold than an OM. IMHO, it’s actually more comfortable, and louder and bassier than an OM.

[@el34glo59]

0000 is definitely less comfortable to hold than an OM. It's just a fact man. With that being said, i agree. OMs are odd. If I'm finger picking, and even playing some subtle flat picking, or some blues yes, I'm going with a great 000 But if I'm gonna step it up to long scale, why would I go OM? Just go 0000 or Dread

[@tcjensen1]

@@el34glo59 probably a fact for your body, anyway

[@el34glo59]

​​@@tcjensen1ot my body, I'm long armed and built to play acoustics. It's just a fact because lower bout is the size of a dread. Then a drastic small waist. While the OM is actually smaller. Why would an 0000 be more comfortable? I'll agree with the sound. Definitely beats an OM. Imo 000s and 0000s are where its at. Just disagree on comfort

[@paolospadaro]

OM has more resonances!!!!!!

[@pcbif]

I agree, but I wonder if it's a scale length thing?

[@tcjensen1]

Yeah but why get an OM when the M36 exists ?

[@el34glo59]

This OM maybe. Get a 000-28 Custom Authentic 1937. Then tell me what's more resonant. Although I still preferred the 000 here. OMs are too bright to me. And 000s finger picked are amazing. The OM sounded cheap finger picked here imo. 000 had character Imo 000s blow away OMs, which are thin sounding. If you're going long scale go 0000 or Dread To each his own though. Not telling anyone what they should like. Jmo Let me rephrase btw, not all OMs are thin. I really like the Om28 authentic they had awhile back with maddy. And I'm not even a maddy guy

[@Beatles123ful]

Om all the way

[@john15333]

OM sounds better.