![]() Take a guitar of 650 scale and capo at the 1st fret. There are surely players for whom these lengths are optimum, but I think the value of even shorter lengths is underrated. …I commonly encounter the belief that scale-lengths of 645 mm or 640 mm are sufficient to accommodate players struggling with 650. Easy to solve problem, just go with a builder that regularly builds small scale instruments.īut how does the scale length affect the guitar’s performance? Hear’s what some luthiers have to say: Some luthiers (not all of course) may not have perfected the design of their small scales since they mostly build 650mms.640mm is almost no difference, go with 630mm instead if you want to see a significant difference.But it’s a consideration you’ll want to ask the specific luthier about. There is a myth about the shorter string length diminishing power and projection (depends on design and our perception of what is loud vs what projects).If you need to switch guitars at the last minute because of loss or damage you might suddenly be playing an instrument that feels large.You might be a bit more comfortable though. If you buy one thinking it will make you a better player you are likely mistaken.I think smaller bodied guitars tend to have a more focused sound. Possible different sound, this can sometimes be good or bad depending.Besides the shorter string length, you often get a smaller body so the right hand can reach the strings without extending the shoulder forward or having to spread the legs more than is comfortable.People should be comfortable playing the instrument and not forced into a situation where they are struggling with the size of the instrument. Overall, I think this is a very good thing in terms of variety and making a connection between the guitar and people’s body type. However, I’ve started noticing, especially in the past five years an explosion of smaller scale guitars 640mm and less. The standard today has been 650mm for a number of years. What is standard and are guitars getting smaller? Fifteen years ago I remember seeing 660mm guitars around but now I’d be hard pressed to even see one. Just because the scale length is smaller doesn’t mean the luthier has built a significantly smaller instrument (although that is sometimes the case as with mine). Don’t confuse scale length with a smaller bodied guitar necessarily. What is small scale? When talking about scale length we are referring to the string length from the saddle to the nut. Bradford’s small scale guitar from the video: check out my article and video on my new small scale guitar: My new 2018 Small Scale Douglass Scott Guitar ![]()
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March 2023
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