Scale Lengths #

A guitar’s scale length is length of string between the nut and the bridge.

Scale has a relatively low impact on sound and playability of the guitar. (Compared with other parameters such as strings or pickups).

Longer scale length sound and playability characteristics:

• quick response, crisp attack
• transparent sound with well-defined basses and heights
• larger finger spread
• higher string tension at constant gauge

Shorter scale length sound characteristics:

• warmer
• more sustain and longer decay

Common Scale Length:

• 572 mm (22.5") or shorter – 3/4 & some travel guitars
• 596,9 mm (23.50") – Fender Jazzmaster/Jaguar guitars
• 629 mm (24.75") – many Gibson guitars
• 635 mm (25") – many PRS guitars
• 648 mm (25.5") – many Fender guitars
• 650 mm (25.5) – typical classical guitars
• 686 mm (27") or longer – Baritone guitars