The reason I'm going 24"

[Logrinn]

I've played for quite a number of years and have had a lot of guitars.
It wasn't until I got my latest that I realized that I've always preferred shortscale guitars.
My first proper guitar was a Gibson SG but being young and growing up with heroes like Blackmore I had to have a Strat.
But it never clicked for me.
Fast forward a lot of years and a bunch of guitars behind me I now know that the scale length is a big factor for me.
So here I am. At Warmoth. The only company that offers a proper shortscale guitar, that I can customize to my liking no less.

It's not just that I find a shortscale guitar easier to play, but I seem to be able to find my way on the neck in a way that's not possible on longer scale guitars.

So I took it to a test. Trying to play without looking on the neck. Not as easy as it might sound ...

[youtube]WLO_PrcN_tA[/youtube]

 

[Cagey]

For me, a move to a 24" scale would be substantial, but even just going from the 25.5" to the 24.75" is noticeable. When you divide up the 3/4" spacing difference among 22 frets, the change is tiny (.034") from fret to fret. You wouldn't think you could feel that, but you can.

 

[Logrinn]

I'm guessing you mean going from 25.5", but yes, I know what you mean. It certainly is noticeable.

 

[Cagey]

Oops! Hehe! Yeah. Fixed it.

 

[rapfohl09]

I first noticed it when I moved up from 25.5 to 26.5 when I was dabbling in seven strings. I realllly noticed how hard it was to make the stretches below the 7th fret, and I have pretty long fingers.

Now that I have played 25.5 almost exclusively for 7-8 months, I go back to my Gibson SG and find myself fat fingering all sorts of things. Muscle memory is a finicky thing.

 

[Logrinn]

Exactly! Couldn't have said it better myself. Muscle memory and hard-to-do stretches on the lower part of the neck.

And that last bit makes the whole 7-, 8-, 9- and 10-string guitar thing that needs to have longer necks so weird in my eyes. If you get longer necks, you'll end up not being able to play some stuff. Same thing with guitars with fanned necks. They're supposed to be more ergonomic when you're playing barred chords. I can understand that. Seems somewhat logic. But what about all those time, when you're not playing barred chords on the lower frets? What about if you just want to do a hammer-on/pull-off between the notes on the first and fourth fret on the low string? And you can't reach? Strange ... :icon_scratch: [Rant ends here]

So ... anyway ... thanks for Warmoth being able to supply me and others with all these options.
:icon_thumright:

 

[zebra]

There was a really good thread I remember reading some time ago regarding people's choice between Fender and Gibson, scale length, but I can't seem to find it now (that I'm looking for it).

It's probably a good idea to find what works and stick with it, in terms of developing longer-term muscle memory, unless one plays sporadically or is a multi-instrumentalist, in which case it doesn't matter so much. 

I've had and liked 24", but I'll probably commit to 24 3/4 as my main go-to eventually, if only for more selection of Warmoth neck/body options compared to the 24".  Of course, I'll still keep a couple of 25 1/2 inchers around for other applications (more twang and less crowded on the upper frets).

 

[elgravos]

I thoroughly enjoy both.  If I was just going to play leads, I would stick with a 24.75 as it's more comfortable to play, but I also really appreciate the sound and feel of a 25.5 strat.  You just can't get that tone with a shorter scale, especially on clean sounds.  Right now I'm saving my pennies for a Custom 24.  I'm thinking the 25 inch PRS scale might be the one to bring "balance to the force"...  Hope I'm not wrong as that's going to be a lot of dough!

 

[Logrinn]

... You just can't get that tone with a shorter scale, especially on clean sounds...

Sure you can. Just listen to all the gorgeous tones from Brian May of Queen. (Not much clean here, though  :laughing7 All from a 24" guitar. And some Vox AC30s of course!

[youtube]BUt_7TQCWtU[/youtube]

 

[dmraco]

you play better with your eyes closed than I do with my eyes open!!!! :doh: :doh: :doh:

 

[elgravos]

Did not know the Red Special was a 24 scale.  I learnt something today!

 

[Logrinn]

you play better with your eyes closed than I do with my eyes open!!!! :doh: :doh: :doh:

Why, thank you. You're too kind, good sir.  ccasion14:

Did not know the Red Special was a 24 scale.  I learnt something today!

It sure is. So I figure I'm in good company.  :laughing7:
Red Special

 

[dmraco]

The Gibson midtown kalamazoo was a 23.5 inch scale.  I wish I was able to get one of these.  Limited run.  It played amazing!!!

 

[Logrinn]

Looks beautiful.
And speaking of Gibson ... and shortscale ...
The Byrdland from Gibson, Ted Nugents choice for many years, is also 23,5".

 

[dmraco]

Looks beautiful.
And speaking of Gibson ... and shortscale ...
The Byrdland from Gibson, Ted Nugents choice for many years, is also 23,5".

thats what it is modeled after....however those byrdlands cost well over 5k!! :doh:

 

[Logrinn]

Yes, I saw that

But it's still a far cry from the D'Angelicos mentioned at NAMM 2016: street price between $15-20.000! 

(3:30)

[youtube]NSFWddyxE68[/youtube]

 

[Cederick]

Super great playing dude!  :glasses9:

 

[Logrinn]

Thanks!  ccasion14: