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Topic: Scale Length |
Johnne Lee Ables
From:
Minnesota, USA
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Posted 10 Dec 2000 9:16 am |
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Hey Guys,
As I mentioned in another post, I haven't played steel for years - fingerstyle guitar, bass, banjo, etc, ad nauseum... Anywho...
What do you recommend as the best all-around scale length? I've seen (on the 'Net) several lap steels that looked pretty similar - Melobar, West Coast, Chandler. What do you recommend?
Thanks,
Johnne |
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J D Sauser
From:
Wellington, Florida
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Posted 10 Dec 2000 8:41 pm
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22"-scale is referred to a "short scale". The advantage is, that the frets are closer together, thus slants are easier even at the lowest frets. The sound suffers a bit and you're more limited as to the choice of string gauges.
24"-scale is a very popular scale, combining both, a relative comfort for slants and a little better tone. Very popular among Western Swing players (as they play less slants or don't dwell on slanted positions too long).
There have been a few "long-scale" models built by companies like Fender (26" ?). They are said to have had the best tone and/or sustain. They would also accommodate bassier tunings with thicker string gauges better.
However, slants are very difficult and, in the lower register, almost impossible on these guitars. Therefor, most "long scale" guitars are multi necks to accommodate various chords and harmonic arrangements on different necks.
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Ian McLatchie
From:
Sechelt, British Columbia
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Posted 11 Dec 2000 2:14 pm
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Johnne:
Just to add to what J.D. says, the other advantage of a longer scale is clearer harmonics, noticably so on the 26" Fenders. |
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