The scale length of a guitar is the string length measured between the nut and the bridge on the first string. Different guitars have different scale lengths. This is a very important measurement and one that should be taken into consideration when choosing a guitar. Choosing a guitar with the correct scale length is like buying a pair of shoes. If you have a size 8 foot, you wouldn’t buy a pair of Nike’s which were size 13, just because that’s what your favourite basketball star wears. So…why would you buy a guitar with a scale length that suits your favourite guitar hero, but which is totally inappropriate for you?
When a new student comes to me for guitar lessons, one of the first things I look at is their hand size, their finger lengths and how their hand stretches. All too often I have had students come to me with Fender Stratocasters, which have the longest scale length, making the playing of four-fret stretch chords impossible. Once I have explained and demonstrated how important scale length is, they all end up buying another guitar that is suited to their hand size. No one wants to struggle to play a guitar.
Beginners may not notice the importance of scale length when they start, because in the beginning they are playing simple chords which only span two or three frets. But as they advance and start playing chords which require four-fret stretches, they may find that task extremely difficult, frustrating and often impossible. There is NO POINT struggling with your instrument, just because that’s what Stevie Ray Vaughan or Tommy Emmanuel plays.
My advice is that you select a guitar that suits your hand size.
Below is a list of some of the standard guitar types and their scale lengths:
Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster : 25 1/2 inches
Taylor Grand Auditorium : 25 1/2 inches
Maton (Tommy Emmanuel EBGB808TE) : 25 1/2 inches
Ovation Elite : 25 1/4 inches
PRS USA (most models) : 25 inches
PRS SE Custom and Standard : 25 inches
Gibson Les Paul and SG : 24 3/4 inches
Yamaha SA 2200 : 24 3/4 inches
PRS SE Santana : 24 1/2 inches
Fender Duosonic, Mustang and Jaguar : 24 inches
Ibanez Micro GRMG 21 : 22 1/4 inches (approx.)
It would be impossible to list every guitar model and their respective scale lengths. The above list is simply intended to give the reader some idea of the variety of scale lengths available.
Personally, although I do own a Fender Telecaster and a Gibson Les Paul, I find that the perfect scale length for me is 25 inches and most of my guitars have this scale length. When I am playing my Telecaster and my Les Paul, I am always conscious that I have to concentrate more. When I am playing a guitar with my preferred scale length, it is effortless.
Of course there are many other considerations when purchasing a guitar – but scale length is certainly one of the most important.
For more information or to sign up for electric guitar lessons in Melbourne, get in touch with us at your convenience.
