However, from the mid- 20th Century luthiers seeking increased volume have moved to a 26 inches (660 mm) scale, which is now the standard for such leading makers as Ramirez. Your email address will not be published. Some players find long-scale instruments physically harder to play because of the increased reach. (A full-size instrument is described as 4/4.). It is also called string length. I will assume the best means playability for a student in learning classical guitar. Violas are commonly described in terms of their body length rather than—as with other violin-family instruments—by a fraction. On a modern bass guitar, 30" (76 cm) or less is considered short scale, standard (also called long) scale is 34" (86 cm) for a 4-string and 35" (89 cm) for a B-E-A-D-G 5-string, and extra-long scale basses of 36" (91 cm) also exist. Players specializing in purely classical technique value wide fret spacing, as it enhances the effect of traditional vibrato. Be careful to ask for kid's guitar. Overall, classical guitars have longer scales than steel string guitars. A big guitar gives you possibilities to end up with a guitar with a large sound volume and strong, durable, sustaining basses. [1] As Gibson necks are not often interchangeable, this usually goes unnoticed in practice. We use AA Sitka tops on all CÁDIZ models. With regard to tone, a longer scale favors "brightness" or cleaner overtones and more separated harmonics versus a shorter scales, which favors "warmth" or more muddy overtones. Cellos exist in a smaller range of sizes than violins, with 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/10 being reasonably common. Like that of the violin, the scale of the classical guitar was standardized by the work of its most famous maker. Again, in practical terms, if you have a few different guitars with different scale lengths that you want to play really similarly, let’s say you have a set of 10s on your 25-1/2 inch or 25 inch scale guitar, once you get up to about 26, 26-1/2, or 27 inch scale length, you’ll want to go about a 1/2 gauge down in order to match the same tension at the same tuning. Let's assume that you want to design a guit… A few Fender models such as the Jaguar and Mustang use a scale length of 24 inches (610 mm). Add Jazzy Chords and Progressions to Your Tunes. The CÁDIZ scale length is longer than the standard 650mm (25.6”) you will find on many classical guitars. There are two reasons for this. Guitars that have a scale length toward the upper end of the spectrum of common lengths are called long-scale guitars, while those toward the lower end of the spectrum are called short-scale guitars. What is the most common scale length on classical guitars, 660mm or 650mm? If the luthier is of the Torres school, the scale is 25.6 inches. The result is a crisper, clearer, brighter (and some would say thinner) tone. According to Dave Hunter's Tone Manual (2011), each scale length has its characteristic sound and tone, which is individual from other sounds in the tone chain: strings, pickups, pedals, amplifiers, speakers, and cabinets. Maker Roger Williams, for example, offers a 650mm scale length as his standard neck, but also offers a 640mm (25.2”) alternative for all models. Gibson has used other scale lengths on various models through the years. Players specializing in purely classical technique value wide fret spacing, as it enhances the effect of traditional vibrato. The steel-string acoustic guitar typically has a scale slightly shorter than the classical instrument, the most common scales ranging between short scale (24 inches (610 mm)) and long scale (25.5 inches (650 mm)). Based on 26.inches or 660.04 mm , 7/8 scale would be 577.85mm when calculated mathematicly or 22.75 in. That is why a Fender Telecaster (25.5” scale length) has very clean, clear bass tones and stinging treble, while a Gibson Les Paul (24.75”) is known for warm, full tone but some muddiness at the low end. Electric guitars reflect the range of scale lengths found with steel-string acoustics. Theoretically, the same principles would apply to acoustic guitars. You will find more options for kid-size guitars in Classical guitars. After reading posts on here yesterday, I stopped by the shop, and we discussed putting a 650mm on mine. Secondly, student sizes are not as often required, as most viola players who start learning at a young age start on the violin. The scale length of that specific guitar will be twice as long as that length and also the maximum for the guitar you want to construct. Smaller scale instruments are used extensively to teach younger players. On instruments in which strings are not "stopped" or divided in length (typically by frets, the player's fingers, or other mechanism, such as the piano) it is the actual length of string between the nut and the bridge. Scale length is the reason why (all things being equal) small string instruments like parlor guitars are easier to play than regular sized ones - the shorter scale length allows for strings to be relaxed and easier to fret. For acoustic players, scale length is above all a matter of comfort and personal preference. Smaller scale instruments are also quite commonly used by full-sized players in jazz, folk music and similar ensembles. Guitar sizes – The Classic shape: Dreadnoughts. Classical guitars, compared to electrics and steel strings, are generally the largest guitars out there when looking at a combined scale length and nut width, so don’t feel bad about using a non-standard sized nylon guitar. Later makers have been unwilling to deviate from this. Other guitars like travel guitars and parlor guitars also have smaller overall length, but their scale length is adjusted to full size. This article continues the series with useful information about modern acoustic guitars. 1/8, 1/10, 1/16 and 1/32 and even 1/64 violins also exist, becoming progressively smaller, but again in no proportional relationship. However, reduced string tension results in lack of sustain and loss of some of the high and low frequencies, which gives short scale guitars a warmer mid-range focused sound. Like that of the violin, the scale of the classical guitar was standardized by the work of its most famous maker. A longer vibrating section of each string means that the strings have higher tension. Speaking of guitarists who do not specialize, “crossover guitars,” which have nylon strings but are similar in size and design to steel string instruments, are increasingly popular. Note that 640mm is well within the normal spectrum of scale lengths for steel string guitars, so these instruments feel very comfortable to players who are not classical specialists. Classical Guitar Scale Length and Size Designation Standard classical guitar scale length is 26.0 inches. There are also smaller versions of this "full scale" double bass with the same scale length but with a smaller sound box, intended for other musical idioms. You can see the previous posts there: Basic physic principles of wavelength and frequency dictate that the 12th fret of a guitar, which marks a pitch one octave above the open-string note, falls at the halfway point of the free-vibrating section of the spring. First, unlike that of the violin and the cello, the viola scale length has not standardised, but rather advanced players use whatever scale length best suits them. Baby grand pianos are the smallest, intended for homes, restaurants and similar applications where the grand style of piano is desired even at the expense of the longer scale and better sound that an upright format would permit in the available space. Gibson's nominal "24.75" in scale length has itself varied, sometimes measuring 24 5/8" or 24 9/16" depending on the production equipment used. The reason that they don’t just measure the entire vibrating section of the string, from nut to bridge/saddle, becomes clear if you look carefully at the saddle of any acoustic guitar. As this is normally the lowest bass note, it is a single string. Short-scale classical guitars generally come in at 650mm (25.6”), and at that, are still longer than the vast majority of steel string acoustic instruments. However, a few years later and I scarcely notice that my guitar which was previously "too large" is now a very good fit, I can make most reaches quite comfortably (for example index finger on 6th string g, middle finger on 3rd string d and little finger on 1st string b)