The REAL Difference Between Fender And Gibson Guitars

[@dennisflock3958]

I would have been nice to toss a 24" Jaguar scale in the mix.

[@TVoltG]

Some of the biggest and boldest tones I was able to get was a 24" Jag with a custom bridge pickup that was about 12k. I was floored during that recording project a few years back. I have to find me one. Thanks for reminding me.

[@tennies]

Yeah, I got a Brian May Special (24.0") and I LOVE the feel. Other guitar I've really gravitated to is Jaguars. Would love to try a Cutlass Short Scale.

[@smokepeddler]

Yup. Gotta duo sonic with a2 p90's It's a flat out mid range monster.

[@kevinmcnamara7184]

Or to just see difference from scale length, how about Cutlass and Cutlass short scale. Even with that still will have some pickup differences since the short version is an HS pickup configuration.

[@anthonycoraggio]

Jaguars are amazing, it may only be about an inch of real estate across the board but it feels like a mile. 11’s feel like 9’s and between that and the bridge the sound is really something special.

[@brucelangsteiner4599]

I play on both scale lengths nearly every day. For me, the most noticeable difference is the fretboard radius rather than the scale length. Gibson = 12" and Fender = 9.5". The Fender is friendlier near the nut for bar chords and the Gibson is easier for speed mid-scale. I wouldn't ever get rid of either.

[@JamesScott-nz3gv]

I have both as well but I have a 2010 deluxe fat strat that has a 9.5 to 14 radius. Its the best of both worlds and by far the best guitar I have ever played. It also has the extra fret, S1 switch, and a bypass button to the humbucker full volume full tone. Great guitar but my SG, Les Paul, and ES335 all have better sustain.

[@brucelangsteiner4599]

My LP-style guitar has better sustain than my Strat as well. My LP-style has the fastest fretboard I've ever played. I have to say for Santana solos I prefer it over the Strat. I prefer the Strat for Clapton and Gilmour solos. Just a tonal difference that I can't duplicate on the LP.

[@calbrush6654]

@@JamesScott-nz3gv Have you tried locking down the tremolo bridge? There’s enough mass for more sustain for sure-but put a wood or plastic spacer between the back of bridge and body to maintain string height, and just tighten the 3 or 4 springs. Another sustain factor is weight beyond the nut-a secret advantage of locking tuners and brass nuts.

[@brucelangsteiner4599]

@@darko714 I use my Tele with a rail humbucker at the bridge for drop D tuning. The humbucker gives it lots of punch.

[@toneseeker87]

I agree.

[@altbouch]

I have been playing guitar for the vast majority of my lifetime, At first I was trying to keep up with my brother, Joe, and didn't try too hard and the only thing I realized was it was easier to play electric than acoustic. When Blue Oyster Cult started doing the 5 Guitars routine at the end our show I realized that I needed to get serious about playing guitar to not embarrass myself in front of thousands of people. I started with a tele and switched to a SG. I immediately realized that the SG was easier to play but always sounded out of tune. To be fair I would play it after playing hard backbeats on drums for an hour so I'm sure I was manhandling the guitar quite a bit. Post BOC I started doing gigs just on guitar and I noticed I could get a sweeter and more consistent sound out of a Fender than my Les Paul. It's only in the last 5 years or so that I have lightened up my playing with both hands that I am able to sound decent. The irony is that I finally figured out how to play and the arthritis is setting in. Mother Nature has a twisted sense of humor.

[@christopherwassink6620]

Albert you’re awesome! I’ve seen you many times in concert with the original BOC lineup and you guys put on a great show every time. Was so sad when you (and later Joe) left the band. Death Valley Nights and Fireworks are 2 of my favorite songs. Spectres is my favorite album of all time.

[@calbrush6654]

Albert, ditto, so try avoiding tomatoes and peppers and gluten- goodbye RA pain

[@passattdise]

Thanks for chiming in Albert! Loved your shows, man!

[@sniggity]

Awesome to see you on KZbin. Glad you guys are still rocking !

[@monmixer]

Tell me about it. I pulled away from playing when I was really progressing because I just wasn't making any money. I got more into production and was making a good living mixing. I tried to play at least one a day for at least a half hour but many days I just had no time for it. Slowly I was pulling away. I knew in the back of my mind when I semi retired I was going to want to play again. we are talking maybe after 10 years of barely playing at all. I owned nice PA equipment and decent lighting rig for clubs and could actually make money some real money now and started my journey back. Hand cramps and muscle spasms galore. I figured it will go away it's just because I have not played much in awhile but it's never going away. Sucks but I'm good. Life goes on. BOC is one my favorite bands. I learned a lot of listening to and playing with the albums. Especially the double live one. Hot Rails to Hell. oh yea. Thanks for the music. Part of the fabric of my life. Rock on forever. Loved Cities on flame, I loved the entire vibe of that music that you guys created from the very fist album in the early 70's.

[@Acroanidd]

I completely agree. It doesnt matter, and I wished I found that out sooner. I was stuck on the Les Paul / SG mindset for so long, I also played a really poorly setup Strat when i first started to play, couple that with a disdain for 99.9% of country music and I just wouldn't touch a Telecaster. Many years after starting this journey looking for my ideal guitar I saw (and actually took notice this time) some of my guitar heroes playing Tele's. One day while driving around doing chores in a town I am not familiar with I saw a store with a lit up Fender sign in the window so chose to stop by. I played on a Telecaster, instantly I knew it was what I wanted all along and two weeks later I came back to that shop and bought that guitar. I have put hundreds of hours of play time on it in the 6 months since I bought it. Sorry, rambling but don't let scale length or preconceived notions about what guitar you have to have dictate the only guitars you will try. Try everything you never know just what you might find.

[@WithCarePlz]

I can never get past the sharp edges of a tele, and they aren’t the same with relief cuts. I found a better solution though. A strat with 7 way wiring (push pot that will add neck pickup to positions 1 or 2) does the strat thing AND it does a tele on steroids thing. It does the tele better than a tele.

[@RobBCactive]

You did a deal at the crossroads, admit it!!!!!!

[@Scoots_McGee]

Absolutely this. If you are in a guitar store, why not try as many as possible, even ones outside of what you think you are looking for? I am shopping for a studio workhorse, did my research, went to a local guitar store, and played about 7 different guitars, then asked an employee for recommendations based on my needs. He grabbed a few that I had already played, some I just didn't see, and some I didn't even consider touching, such as a Stirling strat I didn't think anything of that became the favorite that I played all day. I personally own a les paul knockoff, and a Yamaha super strat and an old late 90s Pacifica when they were telecaster bodies rather than strat bodies, they are all different scale lengths. I used to prefer the pacifica over the others until I got the other 2 set up very nicely and now it's honestly hard to pick which I like more

[@richsadowsky8580]

I'll play whatever is needed/available. I tend to be a Fender Tele or Strat guy but there are many really fun Gibson guitars. One thing that really resonated with me was when Rhett was talking about how you play each guitar differently. 100%. Even two nearly identical in spec guitars will inspire some different sonic universe. That's why we want all of them!

[@getulioprates]

I agree.

[@herbsnspices.guitar]

I feel like the Strat is more comfortable to play, but the tone and feel of the LP is unmatchable. U gotta love both

[@MontyCantsin5]

@Hermann Bernard: Generally, I would be inclined to agree with you. LPs do sound sweeter, tend to have more sustain, etc. Good Strat tones are more difficult to get right. Having said that, I do prefer the playability and tuning stability of 25.5 inch scale guitars. The Gibson in this video only serves to highlight this point.

[@JC-lk3oy]

The shaping done to the strat body is by far the most comfortable of classic guitars. It was one of if not the first ergonomic guitar body. Feels like it hugs you.

[@Dreyno]

@@JC-lk3oyThey’re more comfortable standing up but sitting down they slide off your leg.

[@mochifreeman6648]

I agree! My strat is 25.5 and my Gretsch is 24.6 and it makes me play different because of how I feel playing it. Blue and dirty on my strat, choir boy on my Gretsch double jet (mostly used for church). Great video, mahalo much. 🤙🏾

[@whyceeguy]

I have owned a bunch of different guitars but always come back to the strat. I have to say that I want the guitar to fight back a bit and set my action pretty high. At one point I took my guitar in for some work and told them not to lower the action and the asked me if I was a slide player :) While I am sure others will have there own take on this (and whatever works for YOU is what you should go for) my belief is that greater tension will make the string ring longer, and getting them up a bit prevents fret buzz which will also kill the sustain. The more of the tone you get out of the guitar the less you need to rely on amps and pedals and you can use them to enhance your sound rather than create your sound. I do have a guitar I refer to as the "SG O Caster" with a shaved neck, big frets and humbuckers that produces Gibson tones.

[@colinwallace5286]

I always go for whatever height is possible without any buzzing, and with really good intonation all the way up to fret 24.

[@Mac_kish]

@@colinwallace5286 Yeah I’m super anal about my setups. I like it super low with no buzz and good intonation, higher action sometimes effects the intonation especially at the nut with open chords. I’m slowly accepting the fact that no guitar has perfect intonation it’s just the nature of the particular instrument.

[@BaconatorJames]

I'm stuck between the (IMO only) far superior shape/design of the Strat, and the (IMO only) far superior tone of the Gibson '57s humbuckers. In my Gibson semi-hollow (ES-339), making mods isn't exactly the easiest for me (been playing only since 2018), but the Strat? What an amazing upgrade market! I've got a Floyd Rose Rail Tail trem system & locking tuners (all 4 trem springs intact, using 9.5 gauge strings) - but it's still a blank canvas of easily upgradeable features. Since I like the 'Shawbucker' humbuckers on my Tele Deluxe so much, I think if I was gonna do a mod-shop build with Fender, it'd be a Strat with two shawbuckers. There is a land between Gibson & Fender where the best features from both are presented. I think I just described PRS, but truthfully, I'm not a big fan of the PRS appearance - though their $5k+ market is stunning.

[@embreesmith7613]

Actually, lower tension rings longer

[@whyceeguy]

@@embreesmith7613 I do not doubt your statement. Perhaps my take is that the chime of the original articulation lasts longer with higher tension, but again "Whatever works for YOU",

[@boomerdell]

I like the fact that different guitars have different scale length. I have a Tele I love to play, and and LP-style guitar I love to play. Neither is “better” than the other; they just give me a different experience. I really enjoy that.

[@patrickmulder2450]

I learned to play on a 24" scale guitar, and even though my longest owned and most played guitar is a PRS guitar, and I got a strat and tele that I play, picking up a Les Paul or SG always feels like home. Those formative years in my early teens has had it's influence, can't deny it.

[@howardmaryon]

I wonder how many players are discovering this for the first time through this video? Over many years of playing and experimenting, I have arrived at a scale length that suits my playing, and overcomes the problems I had when learning to play. I have very small hands, not abnormal, just small, which means my finger stretch is limited, no matter how hard I practice. Down at the nut end, where I play a lot ( country swing, rockabilly etc) the distances between the first 2 or 3 frets is significant to me, also I want a lot of bass and some decent twang too. I play a Gretsch hollow body, with very heavy strings 13 to 56 monsters, BUT, I tune down two tones and capo on the 2nd fret to come back up to normal pitch. My string tension is normal, and my scale is short that suits my hands, and take the capo off and I have a baritone!

[@csnide6702]

I have small hands as well , Howard.... I do it this way...Ditch those heavy strings and get something like .010- .048.... Instead of tuning down 2 full frets and Capo it off & throw that Capo in the lake...... Just tune down 1/2 to 1 fret (what ever string tension and sound of lower E string sounds good to you) and (here is the important part) have everyone else TUNE TO YOU. If recording - make sure you note where you were tuned to in case you need to go back and overdub.

[@jacktripperthemusical]

@@csnide6702 your recommendation forces him to play on Frets 1 and 2 again which he said he feels is a wide stretch, that is why he used a capo. Also, it's impractical to believe that one would be able to get everyone else they want to jam with, to retune to that unique tuning.

[@jamesball5743]

Dopey just play a regular length guitar enough and you’ll figure it out

[@andybasic1761]

I put .009s on my Strat and Tele, .010s on my Les Paul & 335 and love them all for how they SOUND. Viva le difference!

[@peterflynn850]

I experimented years ago with fitting a Tele with a 24.75" scale neck (a conversion neck available from Warmoth and USACG and others). I was specifically looking to reduced string tension to reduce stress on my fretting hand following surgery to remedy an arthritic thumb joint. I am happy with the result and have continued to build Teles in this way. If the guitar body and neck are properly made intonation is never an issue, and keeping the modified short-scale guitar in tune seemed no more of a challenge than when I was running with the 25.5" scale.

[@KibatsuMusic]

That's what I'm planning for my Tele. Even with just 10 gauge strings it's stiff and the axe fights with you to play it. Not my style since I play a lot of classical guitar and bar chords.

[@StratMatt777]

@@KibatsuMusic 9 gauge will fix your problem.

[@ModernGolfer]

As a relative newbie (compared to most here), I prefer 10's on LPs, 9's on Strats, and that works for me. Strat, Tele, LP, PRS, solid, semi-hollow, hollow, acoustic... I just figured the best path for me was to learn to play well on whatever I grab, or someone hands me. That's what MOST people believe "good" players can do.

[@donewithmodernlife]

As someone fortunate enough to have examples of these 3 types of guitar I feel that the differences in scale, pickups, neck size, etc. all translate into what you guys started discussing when Rhett was playing. Those differences make me approach that particular guitar differently & play different things. I play things on my Les Paul that I wouldn’t play on my Tele & same for my PRS. But I love all 3 & they’re joys to own & play.

[@fender7695]

Exactly. I like Gibson but honestly I’d either hang it on my wall or drop the pickups in another guitar. Besides the pickups which are godly there are no perks to a les Paul unless money isn’t an issue and even then the intonation will always be a problem. There are just too many clones that do it better for thousands$ less. I’d like to own one and could easily spend the cash but at the end of the day I’d probably have it on my wall or gut it and drop em in a prs, esp, Ibanez or high level schecter.

[@williamrose579]

I've played a variety of guitars, with a variety of scales: 24 3/4", 25", 25 1/2", and even an old Kay L5 copy (Early 1950's). Everything from .009's to .010's to .011's to .012's. I've got fairly small hands, and I've pretty well settled on the Gibson 24 3/4" scale with .11's. I'm not big on doing a lot of bending, but do some chord/melody playing and jazz solo playing. The shorter Gibson scale works for me.

[@JustSomeGuy]

My favorite is the 24" scale length. I find that to be the easiest to play, especially for chords, and easiest to navigate. One other thing to consider is where the neck meets the guitar body. I have a Fender Alternate Reality Sixty-Six, which has the 25.5" scale length, but because of where the neck and body meet, it feels like playing a Jag or Duo Sonic (it's actually shorter than the Duo Sonic in overall length). I find that easier to play than my regular Strat even though the only different is the size of the body.

[@cuteasxtreme]

Aye I know your channel! I like 24 for chords too… certain chords at least. 25.5 is my go to

[@EthanTheMighty]

@@cuteasxtreme i love my jaguars. 24" is the best.

[@walterpereau7760]

Qqq

[@BoltRM]

I was hoping they would cover pickup placement in relation to the scale length & the difference in tone.

[@PsychedelicSocialist]

Ayy! Nice to see another sixty six owner

[@michaelkelly1251]

Light-bulbs everywhere! all the lights, just lite up while listening to the incredible amount of unprecedented info that was just freely and well explained in this video. As a person who 10 years ago had no clue about intonation who now is almost always fine tuning it for my playing and recording enjoyment. This along with the video that lead up to this one almost made my head explode with how I look at different makes of guitars just changed my life literally ! Thank you guys so much for what you just did..

[@frederickthompson8686]

Rhett, quite simply this is the most intelligent discussion of this topic I've yet to see on You Tube. It's a quality presentation, well thought through and presented, like all your productions. Many thanks. Much appreciated...

[@Bbbbad724]

What is the mojo? How did you feel about the fretboard radius of each? My Epiphone LesPaul Special I is killing me. I since I broke my shoulder and arm my hand goes numb at my wrist and thumb, dead numb. Is it fretboard radius? Do I need surgery? I n 62. I have to play!

[@ianedmonds9191]

@@Bbbbad724 Everyone is gonna have a fretboard radius they are most comfortable with. To me it's at least as important as scale length and furthermore all my favourite necks have a compound radius so the the radius flattens as the neck moves up the frets. Ideally rounded to some extent at the 1st fret and much flatter at the 12th fret. The Ibanez Wizard 1.0 neck is my model for the perfect neck. The PRS Flat/Wide Neck is good also. The Yamaha Pacifica 90 neck is crazy fast but maybe just a tad flat. I was always a bit disappointed with the neck on the original Jem. It was a very thick neck. Luv and Peace.

[@jimjim7008]

After trying many guitar brands and models I ended up with Gibson Les Paul ('59 neck profile) for ultimate feel and playability.

[@rkoz55]

Could have gone more extreme with a John Lennon Rickenbacker 325 20.75" to a Buckethead 27" and talk about fret spacing advantages.

[@damagecontrol60]

Lennon’s mom taught him on a banjo, they tend to be shorter than guitars

[@waynepurcell6058]

@@damagecontrol60 Whut? Typical banjo scale lengths range from 25.5" to 28" lol.

[@jamesmcghee3440]

@@waynepurcell6058 OK I can stand corrected - I have a banjo, have not played it much - or measured it : ) ... but she did teach him banjo LOL

[@mathematicalpoetry4066]

Absolutely - I think that is a great idea. Their argument is that it doesn't matter - but maybe it would matter if they were comparing the Rick and the Buckethead.

[@joejones9520]

@@jamesmcghee3440 Banjo? It was a harp, lol! Kidding.

[@simonpark843]

I learned to play on a Strat copy and wouldn't go near a shorter-scale guitar for decades. I got a Les Paul last year, and a Godin, with the 24.75” scale length and have them both set up with 8 - 38 gauge strings and I love it. Due to arthritis and carpal tunnel surgery I'd gone from 10 - 46 to 9 - 42's over the years but the 8's on the 24.75” guitars have been a revelation.

[@anthonycoraggio]

It makes a huge difference in what you can do with gauge/tension and how that plays into the rest of your sound and touch for sure, but I’ll comfortably go from a 24” jag to a 27” Schecter, back to Strat, then to a short 30” or full 35” bass within minutes without skipping a beat. It’s an important part of choosing the best tool for a job, but you can really adapt to anything.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Agree TOTALLY

[@jrdahlst56]

As an adjunct to scale length, I'd like to see a video about string spacing and how that affects playing.

[@jacktripperthemusical]

I've noiced when demoing a few PRS models that I missed a number of pick stroke attempts that I did not on other guitar models, which leads me to believe that PRS uses some bridge designs that have wider string string spacing vs a Les Paul (?)

[@stevemorgan9626]

I’ve wondered why I gravitated back to strat after many years. It is sound, definitely, but it’s also feel. I believe it was scale length and how it feels. I prefer both strat and PRS string lengths.

[@guitarflyer172]

It’s amazing just how sweet a Gibson Les Paul sound! Pure heavenly!

[@parkerstang1342]

24” fan here as well, if you ever get a chance, shoot that out too. I think it is more of a significant difference in feel when compared to the three you displayed, pushed even further by the extra fret on most 24” guitars. It’s nice to be able to stretch your hands across like 6 frets or more and it’s very accommodating to thicker string gauges if you’re into that..

[@henrikjensen4592]

Now I finally understand why some Fenders feel “stiff” with the same strings I love on shorter scale guitars. Simple, but deep! Thanks Rhett! 🤘🏻

[@michelpetheram649]

As Longrinn implies below, you've left out an important factor, that is, the hand size of the player. I have small hands and short fingers, so that naturally pushes me to a shorter scale. What's more, jazz chords sometimes require long stretches, so that's another good reason for a shorter scale. So, yes, for me and others with smaller hands, and which might well include a lot of female players, scale length does make a difference!

[@michaelbutler2312]

danny gatton had small hands and fingers. look what he could do~

[@israelr6636]

Good point.

[@DJBuglip]

Go look at Segovia's hands sometime. I point this example out to students, often. Certainly one of the finest guitarists of the 20th century, and playing everything on nylon-strung classicals with huge, flat fretboards. His fingers are so fat and stubby they look like sausages. I'm a little guy, with appropriately-scaled hands. You just have to work harder to cover the same ground as some lucky bastard like Hendrix or Brian May.

[@logrinn]

@@DJBuglip Brian May’s guitar, the Red Special, is in fact a 24” scale guitar.

[@michelpetheram649]

@@DJBuglip Fair point. In return, go look at Ted Greene chord diagrams sometime. Certainly one of the finest jazz guitarists and teachers of the second half of the 20th century. Several of the stretches are simply unplayable without longer fingers. So, yes, I do work hard at finding compromises.

[@davidpowers9023]

Thank you Rhett for putting together this very, very informative video. Until this moment I had never considered scale length as a mitigating factor and your conclusion about scale length supports my lack of interest in this specification. What I did find informative about this topic was something the other guy said at 2min 41sec mark as the Fender/Tele "feels stiff or fights you" and that completely clarified the way I feel about playing my 1981 Peavey T60 (a 4 bolt neck, 25.5" scale guitar) over my 1982 Gibson "The SG" Firebrand Deluxe. And since you asked viewers about which they prefer or if it doesn't make a difference, I can honestly say that I'll grab my SG without thinking about it every time.

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

I've played 11 and 12 gauge strings for a long time. I've stepped down to 9s on all my 25.5 scale length guitars(trying to learn to play more precisely and clean up my technique rather than just balls to the wall all the time. Heavier gauge strings require more strength, yes, but lighter gauge strings require a more precise technique. I never really saw light gauge strings as a "beginner" set, I always saw them as a "shredders" set.), but on my Gibsons? I am keeping the 11s on them. Even with a much softer technique, heavier gauge strings just seem to mitigate a lot of the flaws with them. People say that 10s on a gibson feels like a set of 9s on a 25.5 scale length guitar, and I would argue that a set of 11-48/49 set up properly isn't too far off either. Wrapping the strings around the bridge, the flat fretboard radius and the larger frets help further ease up some of that tension.

[@bkebradley]

9s on Stratocasters all day, If I can't do a double whole step bend, a big part of my soloing vocabulary is unavailable

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

@@bkebradley Nothing wrong with 9s, they work and have worked for a lot of people. Do they feel a bit "loose"? Sure, but they're a hell lot of fun.

[@wavywav7556]

Totally! - Purple Power Slinkys (11-48) on 24.75! 💯 I used to play 11s on everything but backed my 25.5”s down to 10s; been thinking about trying 9s, again. I’ve tried them in the past and I remember liking them on my Tele but not my Strat, for some reason- I like a bit of fight and resistance, bending on a Strat. I definitely wouldn’t use 9s on a Strat tuned to E flat. Maybe keep 10s for E flat, 9s for standard tuning. Don’t think I could get used to 9s on a Gretsch with Bigsby, either; think I’d have to stay with 10s. But that’s just me. A lot of this stuff simply comes down to personal preference.

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

@@wavywav7556 Some guitars with unique vibratos such as the bigsby or the Jazzmaster style trem are best with something like a set of 10s. Some of those vibrato systems I have heard can get "weird" with super light string gauges.

[@rome8180]

I've only ever owned a Strat. I was wondering why it was so hard to bend, but since I had no frame of reference I just assumed my hands were weak. I recently got a Gretsch, which has a Gibson scale length. Suddenly I was doing three-semitone bends, no problem. I'm thinking I may go to a lighter gauge on my Strat to offset the difference a bit.

[@amramin2134]

Recommended is 9s for strats. I use 8s and it makes everything so much easier

[@johnromanchuk4198]

Gilmour has no problem with mega bends on a Strat...wonder what gauge he uses?

[@AaronAubreyPhoto]

what gauge on the strat? I've got weaker and smaller hands (I'm a 100lb 38 year old man who has also had 2 bad injuries to my fretting hand) I used to bend without my thumb anchored over the fretboard, once I worked on that technique and spent a long time to retrain myself to play automatically with my hand in the 'correct' position, I found bending far easier!

[@kl7360]

@@johnromanchuk4198 .010 - .012 - .016 - .028 - .038 - .048 So the high E from a set of 10s, B and G from a set of 9s and the D, A, and E from a set of 11s.

[@tomusic8887]

Try 09 46 or even go 08 ask a luthier for advice and ask a good easy to play set up low action and go for thinner necks when buying a new one or stay with gibson

[@noahpauley]

I have a squier mustang and it's so fun to play. I love the 24 inch scale length

[@sschmidtevalue]

I agree that it doesn't matter in the overall scheme of things, but buyers and owners should be cognizant of the differences and tailor their expectations accordingly. Thanks for the discussion!

[@Matt-1d]

I’m comfortable with both scale lengths. My first electric was a Gretsch with a shorter scale length. It took me about a month to adjust when I got a strat, but now I’m happy to move back and forth among my Gretsch, strat, and LP. I do play them a bit differently.

[@rabukan5842]

I have a 1960 Reissue Les Paul sunburst that was given to me by a record company brand new in 1990. I’ve owned Fenders and Gibsons since the 1960’s, but that Gibson is the only electric I’ve needed. It sits perfect in my hands, and though a bit heavy, it is a super comfortable guitar on stage, and can do anything I ask it to do, just as my SJ-200 is the perfect acoustic for me. I don’t need 20 guitars - just the few that do what I need them to do.

[@ksgtrpkr]

I think it matters in acoustic guitars, the scale length really effects playing especially in flat picking. I like the shorter scale where the neck is set at the 12th fret on acoustic guitars, because they seem to be faster to play for me. This hasn't stopped me from playing my HD 28 though, which is a fantastic sounding dreadnaught.

[@jenk264]

I"m wanting an acoustic for blues picking. What would you recommend. I have small hands so thinking shorter scale, but as far as sound goes, which way would you go?

[@sparkyguitar0058]

Ive been a Strat player for yrs. Got a great deal on a Paul and learned to love it . I keep 9's on the Strat and use a drop D set on my Paul. 52-10's. I now play them both pretty equally. Depending on music and song.

[@lathspell87]

Definitely noticeable. I play 10's on all my guitars, and my tele is much "stiffer" than my les paul. However, my strat is very slinky because I keep it in Eb.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

E flat rules.

[@10INCHCRUSHER]

@@ryangunwitch-black Yes it does.

[@steverhinefrank5589]

i am new to guitars. a year and a half... i find that i love how different they all want to be played. not just scale length or pickup type. each one invites you to be different. that is sooo cool...

[@nazmoking3171]

I simplified this whole situation a couple of years ago when I decided to use nine gauge strings on all my fender scale guitars and 9.5 gauge strings on all my PRS and Gibson scale guitars. They all have their own special tones because of the pickup placement that is created by the scale differences.

[@bobbyhavoc26262000]

Yessss 9.5 for prs!

[@andreasschwab99]

This difference and their impact is not mentioned very often. Had a Les Paul for years and had always a limited feeling while playing. A Strat with its greater scale length gave me the freedom and opportunity to play more styles. F.e. SRV and Jimi

[@simonhartman4943]

I always thought that scale length would affect me much more, but surprisingly not. For me, a lot bigger problem was fretboard radius. I have played a Les Paul since the very beginning and after I bought a Strat with a vintage 7.25 radius, it felt like I forgot how to play.

[@vaughanmacegan4012]

I really agree with that. I play 7 string guitar typically with 14 or higher inch radius. One day someone handed me their USA deluxe strat, the guitar looked great and I was like I don't even think I can play a C chord on this it was too round.

[@dcjway]

I feel fretboard radius makes a bigger difference then scale length. I bought my first tele recently, it is a 70th anniversary Broadcaster non custom shop. It has the 7.25 radius and a non taper baseball bat neck. I found it was easier for chords, especially double bar chords, but not good for bending.

[@UltimateBreloom]

I find this only holds true to about a 10-12 in radius. Afterwards the effect is far less noticable. Just the way the math works out. 7.25 is really round though so you'd definitely notice it more.

[@getulioprates]

I had to put 10 inch radius in my Fenfer American Standard. It was the best thing I've done. It was 7,5 inch radius. 7,5 radius is a SHAME, no excuses. It that "vintage" thing that never do at all. It doesn't work. I mean: it's ridiculous. Really. You can't make a decent bend, except your action is "above the slide spot" high.

[@UltimateBreloom]

@@getulioprates Well it depends on what you're trying to do. It can make it a lot more comfortable to play a lot of bar chords. You can prefer a flatter radius. I do too. But John Maher has 7.25 on the silver sky and he likes it. Other players do too. You can have a preference without one being right.

[@gioigeniale6711]

You`ve got a real expert at your side. I personally prefer Fender long scale, but, as a double bassand electric bass player, everything feels like an ukulele.

[@PunkRockandCars]

For me, its a Strat all the way. The bridge location on a Les paul has always bothered me when it comes to palm muting. The strat just feels more natural as it is closer to the side of my body and easier to rest my wrist against.

[@patrickmulder2450]

Funny, I have exactly the opposite opinion. I learned to play on a guitar with a tune-o-matic setup and so always feel a bit out of sorts with the bridge setup on a Strat or a Tele. Always feels like I never quite have place to put my hand XD

[@MrAtoz-jq5ry]

@@patrickmulder2450 same with me, I plant my palm on the bridge then hit the middle pickup with my pick.

[@THUNDERWORX]

You can get used to palm muting on either one. But you should try doing pull-offs from the twelfth fret to the eight fret and playing around with that wide of a stretch on the bottom three strings. The Les Paul's frets are a bit closer together, and for some people that makes a real difference. I can do legato runs on both, but, for me it is much smoother on the Les Paul. But, I play my Strat more because it is not a boat anchor and my Les Paul weighs about 13 pounds.

[@robhand7205]

Yea, i'm going to buy a les paul next year to add to the collection.. i've always played strats, but need the les paul. I played one the other day and was lost. Gotta get rid of that lost feeling. Eventually I am sure that I will figure it out. I figured out how to play a classical well. It took a minute but now feels like home when I pick it up too.

[@larryfleming7295]

I change out the Tune A matic to one with rollers and that softens up the cut , And for Fender style THAT FREAKING VOL KNOB UNDER THE E AND B STRINGS !!!! WTF!! I mean same guitar made over and over and over ITS JUST TO DAMN CLOSE but I love the sound and fill but don’t get crazy because your gonna screw that VOL up and down GEEZ

[@tmeyer2022]

I learned to play on a short scale economy guitar (don't remember the brand). As my playing began to improve (and I got invited to play with a group), I stepped up to a brand new 1963 Gibson J-45. I played that guitar for a number of years. So, 'growing up' on a 24.75" had a large influence on me. Over the years, I have owned a variety of guitars (with a variety of differnt scale lengths.) My new favorite is a 24.6" scale length Gretch with a 24.75" LP as very close 2nd. I have often wished that I still had that '63 J-45.

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

My Kiesel 8-string multiscale is 26” to 27.5”. That is my go to guitar. 😬

[@harrysachs2274]

Sounds obnoxious.

[@benketchum7500]

@@harrysachs2274 Its all about using the right tool for the job. Im guessing hes not banging out Eagles tunes around the campfire with that beast.

[@ThatGuyWith_the_RedGuitar]

It’s just a statement of opinion. Although I play fenders and gibsons and would never play an 8 string with a varied scale length lol. But he probably plays very different music than myself lol. To each their own, but he was not being obnoxious, in my opinion.

[@harrysachs2274]

@@ThatGuyWith_the_RedGuitar sure he isn't being obnoxious on purpose, it's just an inherent feature when "playing" one of these monstrosities.

[@harrysachs2274]

In that vein, so is my wah-wah pedal i can't live without, lol.

[@peterradsliff527]

I bought my Les Paul Custom new in 1973 and loved playing it for 34 years. When I turned 50, my brother-in-law bought me an American Strat which I promptly fell in love with and it became my primary guitar on-stage. I guess rock and roll really never was about monogamy. ; )

[@picksalot1]

It's interesting to know the relationship of scale length between the guitar and violin. The open e-string on the violin is one octave higher than the high open e-string on the electric guitar. It is also half the scale length of a Strat. "The two most famous violin makers, Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737) and Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù (1698-1744), both used an open string length of 12.8 inches (330 mm) for their violins, which had already been established a generation before by Jacob Stainer (c. 1617-1683). Later makers have been unwilling to deviate from this." Wikipedia

[@danieljensen2626]

Given that violins are fretless it would really fuck people up if violins came in a variety of scale lengths anyway.

[@picksalot1]

@@danieljensen2626 Actually, historical violins do come in a variety of scale lengths. That can be compensated to some degree by repositioning the bridge. But, it can be a bad decision, as the violin is designed to produce the best sound when the bridge is in a specific location. The aTonalHits Channel has a number of videos demonstrating different violins, and it surprised me how quickly a violinist can adapt to a different scale length and get accurate intonation.

[@jondiven96]

Double basses can vary in string length between 40 and 46 inches ! Also no frets

[@michaelg3074]

Even though I'm a trumpet player, I find these videos very informative. Thank you for sharing and posting.

[@PainterDans]

Measure from the nut to the 12th fret and double it, for scale length

[@koos987654]

Was wondering if anybody's going to correct the dude in the video on scale length being measured between the nut and saddle!

[@abradfordajb]

I'll comment on my current Stratocaster. I fitted it with a Fender Deluxe maple neck. I play exclusively 10-gauge, occasionally 11's, but never anything lower than 10's. My Strat bends super easy all the way up and down the neck, no problems with pitch either. As an aside, way back in 1977, i bought my first LP. It was a "Black Beauty". I had been playing Japanese LP copies up to then. This "real" LP felt absolutely beautiful. Perfect intonation, totally stayed in tune. I fell in love with the feel, the neck, the sound, everything. I was SO naive that i didn't realize until later that it was one of the jazz-oriented "fretless wonder" models, with the flat frets. It was REEEEEEELY hard to bend. But i kept it anyway, because it "my first", and my love was loyal 🙂

[@GaveMeGrace1]

So far scale length seems to not be an issue for me. However, in your playing sessions, the Les Paul sounded most appealing. Thank you

[@sorenahlback]

PRS is the perfect match between Gibson and Fender. Well done Paul. 👍

[@Rwellsii94]

Me as a bass player: “Man what a world to live in as a guitar player.” Love the videos though I keep coming back for more.

[@Rwellsii94]

@JS Tanner oh yeah 34, 35, multi scale. On bass it’s insane the difference it makes. Especially on a low B

[@tommilitello198]

The over analyzing of it is pathetic anymore

[@ertanin]

Started out on an acoustic, bought my first electric, a fender strat. As expected it took me a while to not press as hard on the strings. Some years later I got my first Les Paul, and had the same experience. Loved playing both of them. I often had to spend some minutes readjusting when switching between them, specially if I had played one of them for a longer period of time.

[@davidqueen2355]

3:26 - I can't believe you both missed out on such a perfect 'that's what she said' moment.

[@rayzorback88]

Did you notice the laughs in the background though? 🤣

[@deathklipelite8029]

You know what I got out of this. I need to own all three. I realize tone was not part of this video, but I could hear brilliance in each guitars tone.

[@markanderson9373]

The video focused on bending, but failed to mention the impact of scale length on reach. There are some chords shapes that are definitely easier to play on my 24.75“ guitars.

[@MrAxman53]

Totally agree. I have small hands and I just can't get around on a strat. Both my Carvin and my PRS are 25". I've often considered getting a short scale guitar, like a Mustang or Jaguar for just that reason, but haven't had the opportunity to spend any time with them.

[@DTravisNorth]

On the flip side, I feel more crowded past the 12th fret on a shorter scale guitar. Just something I need to remind myself of. Honestly, not going to be a reason I go with one over the other. I don't own a LP. But I hope to one day, and I will love it the way I love my Strat.

[@BaronVonJ]

@@DTravisNorth that crowded feeling playing chords higher up is what got me looking into scale length in the first place! By pure chance, my first two guitars were 25.5" (a Samick KJ-560 24 fret and a Strat 22 fret), and I just bought a PRS and have just been feeling like I'm in crazy town. It's really shown me just heavy-handed I am fretting chords, because they all sound out of tune on the PRS!

[@quailstudios]

After measuring my favorite electric guitar I found out that it was a 25 and three-quarter inch scale length. Never thought about this before!

[@WScott-gd2mj]

Another real difference is overall weighting and geometry, which translates to comfort. I usually play sitting down and my Tele and Strat sit very easily and naturally in my lap. My Les Paul, by contrast, seems so bottom heavy that it wants to slide right off my leg and I have to expend energy just keeping it in a playable position. That said I'm aware plenty of people look totally comfortable with an LP on their lap. Never tried a PRS but I know they are thinner/lighter than LPs so maybe they split the difference there too.

[@g.banderas1242]

Yes absolutely 😎you will feel the difference of PRS 🎸AND Gibson and Fender 👍

[@theguitaramptech]

Wow! Rick. That has to be one of the best episode3s you have done. Thank you, Brian. You made it very very special.

[@cool555breeze]

I was playing all of them for years before I even knew there WAS a scale length difference. 😉

[@badhabits25]

Sounds like just another thing to obsess over.

[@MrMichaelk997]

I’ve owned a Telecaster for 50 years. I’ve loved every minute of it. Last year I got a Les Paul. Of course, I knew they had a different sound, feel, & playability. But playing them back to back, I had no idea! There is such a significant difference it’s like night & day. I’m playing bends like Hendrix & David Gilmore (well almost 🤪). I love both guitars, although I use them for quite different purposes.

[@jcmoore5819]

PRS also has a 24.5” scale. That’s what the 245 models were.

[@lukaslmguitarcorner]

And there are Fenders with shorter scale length as well (Jaguar and co). Does Gibson have other scale lengths or do they strictly stick to 24.75?

[@18JR78]

@@lukaslmguitarcorner Goo gle

[@lukaslmguitarcorner]

@@18JR78 La Zy

[@justaddguitar]

@@lukaslmguitarcorner nighthawk 25.5

[@RalphMercuroMusic]

Also the 594 which is 24.594". That is also the true Gibson scale. They're not 24.75" like advertised...

[@robertdiehl1281]

You certainly can feel it when you switch from playing a strat to a Les Paul. But, there’s no doubt about it for me bluesy type songs just feel and sound right on the Strat. Classic Rock on the Les Paul. Most of the time it’s a strat I have in my hands. Great video dude

[@alejandrotarazona5359]

Im currently playing a 26.5" 7 string Jackson soloist, the longer scale is kinda confortable

[@rattlehead001]

What gauge strings do you use? I’m thinking of getting one of those 7 string soloists.

[@alejandrotarazona5359]

@@rattlehead001 11 to 58

[@divusaugstus]

I have the classic collection; Les Paul, Strat, Tele and SG - they have their personalities and I love them all. Horses for courses.

[@Aphercotropes]

Agree with everything said - but I do find myself heavily preferring longer scale guitars. I just get triggered by intonation issues, I guess. 🤷

[@luskvideoproductions869]

Wow, this might be the best, simplest demo on long vs. short scale guitars, and the pros and cons. And...it explains why, having started out on Strats, that when I transitioned to shredder guitars, that I began to notice that some notes we be super-sharp...thanks to the fact that my fingers were so used to longscale Strats that I would ALWAYS dig in to hard on the strings, creating situations where I would be out of tune a lot on some hand positions. Totally makes sense now, and it's going to make me seriously consider putting .10s on next time to help fight that problem down the road. Thanks so much!!

[@joenicolette]

Alternative title: Rhett finally answers the question "Does size matter?"

[@BlakesAR313]

*"Does size matter? Guitar edition"

[@joenicolette]

@@Kellywho5 senior quote

[@DR-nh6oo]

@@Kellywho5 Now, how about that, lmao.

[@Condor512]

"Does size matter?"... said no girl, ever.😂

[@DR-nh6oo]

Cuthbert J. Twillie Agood sense of humour matters so much more than size, and that is truth coming from a woman of experience.

[@aristeas]

I began as a bass player on a brand new '75 Fender Jazz Bass. in '78 Ibanez came out with their first Les Paul. I bought one to teach myself guitar. Couldn't do it. Just too small and narrow and couldn't get my fingers to do it. Not the guitar's fault. It was every inch as good as a Gibson. Tried again some years later, different Gibson neck, failed again. Same problem. Then a friend gave me a Korean Squier Strat, and that was it. I never looked back, played guitar ever since - I eventually bought 4 Gibson Nighthawks/Blueshawks. Gibson sound, Fender-scale neck. The scale length made all the difference. Still does. Long fingers on large hands love longer scale guitars. AS I get older, arthritis kicks in - so I use lighter gauge strings, and less effort. Now I even play faster than before.

[@damagecontrol60]

Dylan talks tone just did a good video on “humbuckers in a strat” that explained scale length affect on tone (among other thangs)

[@doublek321]

I've really been starting to appreciate this channel a lot more lately. There are a lot of great topics covered (e.g. "10 Classic Guitar Riffs That Will Make You a Better Player", "How To Play Bass (even for guitar players) " and many others) and they're taught in a way that conveys the information well. I hope this channel takes off.

[@mophead1666]

Hard disagree here. I think, that after pickups, I would go so far as to say that scale length is the biggest factor for sound. Although it's pretty close between it and whether the guitar is hollow/semi-hollow or not. Certainly it effects the feel, but I think it has way more to do with sound than you think. Think about the difference in sound between a baritone humbucker guitar and a Gibson humbucker guitar tuned down to B. Huge difference in sound. A hardtail mustang and a strat's pickups aren't really all that different, but there's a huge disparity in scale length that makes a Strat way twangier and thinner, whereas a Mustang is very boomy and wooly. Short scale basses are the craziest difference. A shorter scale bass sounds way bassier than an equivalent longer scale bass. Could you notice the difference between 25.5 and 25? Maybe, but certainly large scale differences absolutely change the tone in a noticeable way, in my opinion. I really disagree on it "not mattering" though. I'm a fairly short person with small hands and certain scale lengths can make it really hard to play certain songs. My test is usually the song "Foxy Lady". I have no trouble playing the first riff on my Mustang, but I struggle to play it on Jazzmaster or Stratocaster, because of the low octave notes. It's not so much just "approaching it differently", it can literally be painful to play certain things with certain scale lengths, for me at least.

[@corilfl]

Exactly my thoughts as well. I have a 25.5 scale 7 string and a multiscale 7 string that has 27 scale length on the low end. The B string sounds way different on the two because of it. I've tried heavier gauge strings on the shorter length one to match the tension and it's still not comparable.

[@mophead1666]

@@corilfl Yeah I definitely feel this is a well known thing with extended range and multi-scale guitars, which isn't Rhett's bag, so he may not know, but that's definitely where it is most exemplified.

[@unclefoiley819]

I've played a Les Paul standard for the past 19 years and just recently got a Fender Telecaster and love it. I like a little fight in playing the guitar.

[@xdoctorblindx]

I find that my Fenders are always easier to intonated and end up with a better intonation along the entire length of the neck than my Gibsons. I've always attributed that to scale length, especially since I use 10s on all of my guitars.

[@craigcarter5673]

Great video Rhett for the non-playing fan. Always wondered what the difference was, and this video did a good job of explaining it to us who only listen to music. Thanks!

[@myqualker]

I tend to "equalize" the string tension by going with lighter strings on longer scale lengths and heavier strings on shorter scale lengths so all my axes feel about the same. After watching Rick's video on string gauge (and Rhett's follow up) I'm generally favoring .008s on >25" lengths and .009s on

[@benketchum7500]

That video and the many follow ups from other youtubers was a good eye opener for me as well. I am playing much lighter strings and I dont notice a tonal change and haven't broken any strings since going lighter.

[@myqualker]

@@benketchum7500 I used to play 11s thinking that the difference in tone with the heavier string was worth the extra effort it took to play. It was great to give up the fight and not try to "be a hero". It's easier to play now which means it's more fun to play which means I play more often which means my chops are better which means I sound better which means TONE!!! on top of it sounding better with looser strings (IMHO) anyway.

[@rome8180]

I'm thinking I may do this too. I've only ever owned a Strat until recently. I had 11s on it. Impossible for a novice like me to bend. I recently got a Gretsch, which has a Gibson scale length. I believe it came with 10s. Now I'm bending without any difficulty. I'm thinking if I put 9s on my Strat that will kind of offset the difference.

[@wbertie2604]

The scale length difference at the same gauge between 24 3/4" (Gibson) and 25 1/2" (Fender) is around 3%. 9 to 10s is a 23% increase in area, although that probably translates to more like 15% in terms of mass. So going up a gauge going from Fender to Gibson would overcompensate and probably result in higher tension on the shorter scale unless you are SRV playing 12s or something on a Fender.

[@michaelhagood4648]

Thank you, Rhett.....that was EXTREMELY informative for those of us whose overall knowledge of guitar "architecture" is superficial.

[@logrinn]

I too prefer the shorter 24" scale length. You mentioned "playability" and that's what is important. We all have a certain hand size and you will feel more comfortable playing a certain scale length. My first proper guitar was a Gibson SG. Fast forward about 40 years and all the guitars and models you can imagine later, I bought a 24" scale Fender (Pawn Shop Super-Sonic) and everything clicked. I suddenly - 40+ years later - realized why I've gravitated to certain guitars more and why I've disliked others. My hands prefer the shorter 24" scale length. I now make the comparison with shoes and clothes to guitars - you wouldn't buy shoes or clothes the wrong size, now would you? The same goes for guitars. There's a reason why many women use Fender Jaguars and Mustangs. Presumably they find them easier to play as they - I'm assuming - are like me, shorter in stature and with smaller hands. (This is a market that's totally unexploited - guitars for people of smaller stature - except by Fender.) The tension reason that always comes up is just ridicolous. If you find you have strings that are too heavy or light - change to another gauge. That's it.

[@relevantusername88]

Completely agree, it doesn’t matter to me at all. I can jump back and forth between the Strat and the LP all day.

[@nicoallgaier2478]

So both guys say scale lenght doesn't matter yet both say it influences the way the guitar sounds/feels and the way you play... Very confused over here.

[@Ben__S]

The scale length doesn't make good or bad guitar, it doesn't matter for the quality.

[@Igneous_Tone_Generator]

it matters.

[@Igneous_Tone_Generator]

@@Ben__S of the guitar, perhaps. Playing the guitar, it matters.

[@Ben__S]

@@Igneous_Tone_Generator A bad guitar can be with the right scale for you, but staying bad... A masterpiece guitar you are finding wonderful could not be as good for your hands as expected, and you will find it difficult to play nicely.

[@giannapple]

No, they both say it affects the feel, not the sound. Not confusing at all

[@ednorko5128]

I like both long and short. I do find myself playing differently with my Tele vs. My Gibson. With that being said , I love playing both of them! They Rock!

[@dinkaboutit4228]

XD The real difference is that Fender factories still have a Quality Control department.

[@spohrkss8054]

@@WithCarePlzyou seem a little too hurt by this comment…

[@WithCarePlz]

@@spohrkss8054 why would I be hurt? I’ve never had a single issue with a gibson product 🤷‍♂️ I’m am american and I recognize fender and I have pride in them… as the entry level cheap mcdonalds-of-guitar. It’s great that a poor kid can get a $75 Strat that feels/sounds exactly like a $1200 strat and have a guitar to play. And it makes me happy that someday that lil puke might be able to afford a world class instrument like a Les Paul once he’s ready to feel quality materials. i love fender. I love that they have trailerpark swamp assh necks and bowling alley fretboards. Because if I hadn’t had to suffer through the fast-food of guitars I would never fully appreciate what quality craftsmanship and materials feel like with a Gibson.

[@spohrkss8054]

@@WithCarePlz as a whole people have a lot more issues with gibsons then they do fender. You can pick problems with any guitar, gibsons are heavy clunky and don’t stay in tune

[@benjaminbarbe7026]

@@WithCarePlz you have never played an American strat or tele because they sound and play way way differently than a squier like there is no comparison

[@WithCarePlz]

@@benjaminbarbe7026 uhhh I currently own 2 american strats. an american pro II in miami blue and a partscaster, and I’ve owned a squier. Sounded identical (not counting the 7 way on the AP2) besides there being more hum on the squier it sounded nearly identical. The big difference is feel but anybody can get a neck rolled and upgrade to better electronics. The point stands they’re made from similar wood and still have screw-on necks.

[@fabriciocesarthadeodelima2961]

This video just reminds the "D Tuning" - because the concept of the string is the tension/pressure applied, by the size of scale - length. So Strato has longer scales, so tension over strings is harder, lowing the tunning also lowers the tension, making it lighter for bends. But the most important explanation is when describing the PRS scale, they pretty much had the best of Stratos and Les Paul and fixed the issues. My humble opnion.

[@coltonnash991]

I love when Rhett goes to righteous

[@musicnphotos1]

Enjoyed the video, but wow, I didn't expect that conclusion at all. I would have thought the take away would be that it's best to pick the right tool for the right job. Due to the feel and tonal differences of the shorter scale length which has less tension, you would choose a Gibson scale if you want to do a guitar part that is more focused on sustained and bendy notes. However, if you want to take advantage of the tighter sound that lends itself to a more percussive style of playing, choose a fender for that guitar part.

[@ThomasOnGuitar]

Love both fender and gibson scale, they both serve their purpose.. Cheers Rhett!

[@Violaodabossa]

Hi Rhett, a great video 👍🏼 AND Ben is a cool and competent cat. While playing nylon string guitars too, one of my favourite nylon string guitars is a my 1988 Contreras, which has a scale lenghts of 26inches! (660mm), but with a smaller saddle with just 2 inches instead of the regular 2,05 inches. => the feel of this particular guitar is (subjectively) playing a regular 25,5 inch scale guitar and NOT a 26inch scale! One VERY IMPORTANT thing you missed in the whole discussion: this is what one calls the impedance of the guitar. 10 same build guitars of the same model and brand, ideally made with the same wood from the same trees, will have different playability AND impedance, which is the resistance inherend in the system (here the guitar). The bigger the impedance of a guitar is the louder and harder you can play which causes a broader dynamic range. As we say, the guitar does not collapse, which then does not cause compressed tones (sound) the louder you try to play, but it feel still 'stiff'. A guitar with less impedance collapses at a certain point the harder you pluck it and then does not sound louder the harder you pluck but compresses the tone. Best wishes from germany >Lutz

[@spencerdawson6536]

My ExWife, who played, seemed to believe that length does matter. Hence she traded my Axe in (Gibson - Shorter Scale) for my ex-Best friend’s Fender (Longer Scale). She said it was all about Feel.

[@harrysachs2274]

Ouch.

[@franksaldana6570]

Funny joke

[@t3hgir]

I've heard it's all about the girth, that's why I play extended range 7/8 strings and 5 string bass... Kappa

[@krissv3ctor512]

@@t3hgir But alas, with more girth, more length is needed to balance it out.

[@ralphrounds709]

I bought my squier mustang specifically for the 24” scale. I’m thinking of moving up to a 24.75 now that I can play a little more.

[@ronkopald]

I remember the words of wisdom of Stevie Ray Vaughan: "I use heavy strings, tune low, play hard and floor it. That's technical talk: Floor it"

[@joshuaraysummey7679]

Rg440 > American deluxe tele > hamer monaco > 335 style samick > 10 years on a les paul > carvin strat > reverend Warhawk > reverend clean cut. I've not had more than 1 at the same time. I enjoy the 24 3/4 experience but when I listen back, the fender scale length brings better playing out of me. I slide more than I would on a shorter scale. The happy byproduct as an impatient player is that I am more likely to let a note ring out on a longer scale. My improv is much more patient on a longer scale guitar so that is what I am playing these days

[@Bluedragon003]

Actually Les Paul’s from the 50’s up till when they stopped making them in 1960 had a 24.5’’ scale length, and If you tune flat on a fender with heavy strings you get a more “slinky” feel. I personally feel that scale length DOES affect the sound because of where the pickups sit etc…. This is why a Strat with Humbuckers (even Gibson humbuckers) still sounds like a Strat. Whereas a Shorter scale guitar with humbuckers can lean more towards a Gibson sound….. but of course the different bridges/woods netc contributed to that difference too. I’ve learned that even if you prefer one guitar over the other, don’t be afraid to pick up something different. Rhett makes a good point about the different approach you might take on a different scale length (ie playing harder, bending more etc..).

[@sillybearhours]

your argument literally has, and i cannot stress this enough, nothing to do with scale length

[@joeurbanowski321]

I find that I’m more fluent on my LP than my Tele… as a matter of fact, I just changed my Tele to open tuning to learn slide… But I love em both… Thanks! Good video..👍🏼

[@JohnRBooth]

I'm def a Fender guy. The LP (besides being too heavy) is too sloppy for me and the PSR is the same (to me). You are absolutely right when you say a Telecaster makes you work for it, and I think it makes you a better player.

[@juhaniseppala]

There are lots of non-heavy Les Pauls, though. Mine is super light. What're your experiences with putting heavier gauge strings on a shorter scale guitar? Does that affect the "sloppiness"?

[@CindiKn]

Just looking at my electrics, my first was a Cortez Les Paul copy, which was stolen from my apartment and replaced with an Ibanez Les Paul copy, so I like that scale length. I have an Ibanez Strat copy I have set up for slide, so that's a whole different deal. I have a Traveler electric that is a 25.5" scale length. And I have a Danelectro Dead-on '67 Baritone, which has a 32" scale length, that is an absolute blast to play. I also have a daisy rock semi-acoustic that is loaned out at the moment. Of all those guitars, when I'm just sitting around playing, it's: 1) Traveler 2) Danelectro Baritone 3) Ibanez Les Paul copy When I'm actually out playing (a rarity these days), it: 1) Ibanez Les Paul copy 2) Dalelectro Baritone 3) Ibanez Strat copy, for slide

[@DR-nh6oo]

32 inches? Would love to hear that is at. Enjoy!

[@pieterworm9211]

as someone who primarily plays heavier music, i find shorter scale length guitars are more prone to going slightly out of tune when picking very aggressively, also downtuning on shorter scale instruments is not ideal

[@ratwynd]

I grew up playing acoustic guitars with Gibson scale length. A few years ago I took up electric for the first time. Since then I have tried and/or owned a number of different electrics. For a time I had a USA Strat Deluxe and built a partscaster as well for the experience of doing so. I still play the partscaster occasionally because the tone is awesome with the custom Planet Tone Alnico II PUPS, but the Strat is gone. I never got used to the tone or the feel. The muscle memory of the shorter scale was always a problem playing up in 1st or 2nd positions because of the longer reach needed. I had to pay way too much attention to watching my hand position. I finally got a Gretsch., first a cheap one (2215-P90 Jet Jr.) on sale at GC cheap as a impulse purchase and it was so good I bought a 6128T Jet Players Edition after much consideration. Love the classic Dynasonic tone but the scale is the real key to my neck comfort I think. I have several other shorter scale electrics from Eastwood (Rockerbox III) and Washburn (HB35) and I tend to pick them up frequently as well. Much more than the longer scale partscaster. I have tried several LPs, they never got it for me. Maybe I never had the right one in my hands. In the end it is what makes your music sound right and feel right to your hand and ear. There is no wrong guitar.