Personal experience- now I understand

Garland
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Playing guitar since: off and on since 1960, a lot more off than on

Personal experience- now I understand Jan 8, 2023 19:01:12 GMT -5 Derick, ancient1, and 1 more like this

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Post by Garland on Jan 8, 2023 19:01:12 GMT -5

Y'all know I read a lot- about everything, especially guitars and related items-

I've grown quite fond of the Martin Flex Core strings, 12-54 gauge-

Well, I have them on the DS240 I got for my birthday and the D240E I've had for a while.

I just played the D240E after having played only the DS240 since I got it- they both have the same strings mind you- but, the D240E is a 25 1/2 in scale and the DS240 is 24 3/4 in scale- the difference in tension is very noticeable- I have read that is the case, but, I guess switching back and forth so often I never paid much attention to it- it makes sense, I just never noticed it... until just now

and I pride myself on being observant- the difference in tension is noticeable for sure-

Playin at playin guitar-

SO MANY GUITARS/SONGS, SO LITTLE TIME

Guild D140 Natural
Epiphone Dove Pro (limited edition)Alpine White
Luna Artwood Vintage Distressed Folk Body
Washburn HG75SEG-0 (gave to my youngest son)
Gretsch 5420T in Aspen Green
Orangewood Ava w/LR Baggs Lyric
Martin 00015M w/LR Baggs Lyric
Lag T118ASCE-BLK
Guild D240E
A-M-I J45 clone
Squier Affinity Telecaster in White

CTGull
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Personal experience- now I understand Jan 9, 2023 10:39:50 GMT -5 Derick, ancient1, and 2 more like this

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Post by CTGull on Jan 9, 2023 10:39:50 GMT -5

The tension also affects the tone. The longer scale has higher tension and will produce a crisper tone. And the shorter scale will be a little muddier, if that makes any sense.

For fingerstyle, lower tension is easier to play, but you really want higher tension for the crispness, especially if you're playing with the flesh of your fingers. I think that's why Seagull changed from 24.8" to 25.5", crisper tone, even though the people that supported them for years prefer the shorter scale.

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ancient1 Elite Member Posts: 817 Playing guitar since: late 50's....always a beginner	Personal experience- now I understand Jan 9, 2023 11:47:14 GMT -5 via mobile CTGull, Derick, and 3 more like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by ancient1 on Jan 9, 2023 11:47:14 GMT -5 It's not likely that I'll be getting another guitar but IF I do it will be a shorter scale, for sure. The ol grey fingers ain't what they used to be.
	Seagulls live 40 + years....so should our guitars

Garland
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Playing guitar since: off and on since 1960, a lot more off than on

Personal experience- now I understand Jan 9, 2023 11:59:28 GMT -5 CTGull and ancient1 like this

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Post by Garland on Jan 9, 2023 11:59:28 GMT -5

Jan 9, 2023 10:39:50 GMT -5 CTGull said:

The tension also affects the tone. The longer scale has higher tension and will produce a crisper tone. And the shorter scale will be a little muddier, if that makes any sense.

For fingerstyle, lower tension is easier to play, but you really want higher tension for the crispness, especially if you're playing with the flesh of your fingers. I think that's why Seagull changed from 24.8" to 25.5", crisper tone, even though the people that supported them for years prefer the shorter scale.

It makes sense- but cept I would call it more mellow vs muddier-

I don't know as I prefer one or the other either- I like both, although I like a lot of sustain as well and the lower tension from a shorter scale doesn't give me that, at least not with the 2 guitars I'm comparing.

It's a never ending, IMO, quest for the perfect thing I like... thing being highly subjective and variable, depending on a number of things- and like ancient1, said- the old gray fingers ain't what they used to be...

Playin at playin guitar-

SO MANY GUITARS/SONGS, SO LITTLE TIME

Guild D140 Natural
Epiphone Dove Pro (limited edition)Alpine White
Luna Artwood Vintage Distressed Folk Body
Washburn HG75SEG-0 (gave to my youngest son)
Gretsch 5420T in Aspen Green
Orangewood Ava w/LR Baggs Lyric
Martin 00015M w/LR Baggs Lyric
Lag T118ASCE-BLK
Guild D240E
A-M-I J45 clone
Squier Affinity Telecaster in White

blues90
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Personal experience- now I understand Jan 9, 2023 12:34:49 GMT -5 Derick, ancient1, and 1 more like this

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Post by blues90 on Jan 9, 2023 12:34:49 GMT -5

All I remember is Gibson used the 24 3/4" and Fender used 25 1/2" on electrics and many acoustics. The 25 1/2" on a acoustic was mainly reserved for dreads. I don't know if all companies followed this.

It was partly about tension and partly about reach but 3/4" difference does not seem like much.

I tune down 1/2 step and when I get a new acoustic they are tuned to A440. I don't hear any difference and don't feel much difference in tension. Tuning down 1/2 step is like dropping down one string gauge.

Then there are all the open tuning many use.

2004 Seagull Grand S series

2020 Recording King Dirty 30's RSP-7 Tobacco Sunburst
2020 Ibanez AC340 000/ Grand Concert
2020 Luna Gypsy mahogany parlor
2021 Recording King 0G6Nat

Three hand built Fender Stratocasters
One Hand build own design odd ball.

Derick
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Personal experience- now I understand Jan 9, 2023 13:40:45 GMT -5 ancient1 and Garland like this

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Post by Derick on Jan 9, 2023 13:40:45 GMT -5

Garland ,CTGull ,ancient1 ,blues90 ,

Gibson Electric guitars 24 3/4" scale length, 10s gauge strings recommended.
Fender Electric guitars 25 1/2" scale length, 9s gauge strings recommended.

I found Seagull guitars uncomfortable to play finger style, so always played them tuned down a half step, got used to the tone, so now play all my guitars tuned down a half step, if for the very seldom occasion I find myself playing with other guitarist's I put a capo on the first fret.

Last Edit: Jan 9, 2023 14:11:05 GMT -5 by Derick

Faith Mercury, Parlour Guitar.
Tanglewood TW40 Sundance Historic, 12 freter. Solid Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides.
Takamine GY93E-Nat, Parlour Guitar, solid Spruce top.
Epiphone ES339, semi acoustic Electric guitar,
Fender Mex Stratocaster, White with Maple neck.
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Tanglewood TW 45 Re Sundance Reserve, All solid wood, Cedar Top,Mahogany back and sides.

TonyKgull
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Location: Ontario, Canada

Personal experience- now I understand Jan 9, 2023 14:42:31 GMT -5 ancient1 likes this

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Post by TonyKgull on Jan 9, 2023 14:42:31 GMT -5

Garland,CTGull,ancient1,blues90,Derick,

I might be the black sheep here then. I have two guitars at 25.5" scale, 3/4" nut width, and one guitar with 24.75" scale and 3/4" nut width.

Love 'em all, but nothing plays sweeter and smoother to me than the 25.5" scale paired with the 3/4" nut width. Long or full scale (whatever you call it) will always be my favorite along with that full 3/4" nut width.

I don't think age will change this. I'm already noticing that switching to short scale, thinner nut widths is getting more difficult (not by much, but I notice it), not less difficult. So full scale, 3/4 nut will always be my sweet spot.

=====================================
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I
am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
- Jesus, from Matthew 11:28-30

Garland
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Posts: 4,661
AKA: Gdjjr Thistime
Location: Texas!
Playing guitar since: off and on since 1960, a lot more off than on

Personal experience- now I understand Jan 9, 2023 18:52:33 GMT -5 Derick and ancient1 like this

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Post by Garland on Jan 9, 2023 18:52:33 GMT -5

CTGull, ancient1, blues90, blues90, Derick, blues90, TonyKgull,

J, my AMI, is also 24 3/4 scale, but with a 1 3/4 nut- it and the Guild DS240 are dread naught- that's what the D stands for- the D240E Guild is also a dread naught

there is 1/8" difference in the lower bout widths, with the DS240 being the biggest- they all 3 are 4 1/2 in deep- not that that effects the string tension - just an observation.

Playin at playin guitar-

SO MANY GUITARS/SONGS, SO LITTLE TIME

Guild D140 Natural
Epiphone Dove Pro (limited edition)Alpine White
Luna Artwood Vintage Distressed Folk Body
Washburn HG75SEG-0 (gave to my youngest son)
Gretsch 5420T in Aspen Green
Orangewood Ava w/LR Baggs Lyric
Martin 00015M w/LR Baggs Lyric
Lag T118ASCE-BLK
Guild D240E
A-M-I J45 clone
Squier Affinity Telecaster in White

WELCOME TO THE ACOUSTIC GUITAR CABIN!!!

Personal experience- now I understand

Post by Garland on Jan 8, 2023 19:01:12 GMT -5

Post by CTGull on Jan 9, 2023 10:39:50 GMT -5

Post by ancient1 on Jan 9, 2023 11:47:14 GMT -5

Post by Garland on Jan 9, 2023 11:59:28 GMT -5

Post by blues90 on Jan 9, 2023 12:34:49 GMT -5

Post by Derick on Jan 9, 2023 13:40:45 GMT -5

Post by TonyKgull on Jan 9, 2023 14:42:31 GMT -5

Post by Garland on Jan 9, 2023 18:52:33 GMT -5

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