software

Hi does neck scale on a guitar affect how suitable the guitar is for downtuning? Also what are the advantages and disadvantages of the different scales?

Common sclaes i see are 24.75 and 25.5. it will be one of these 2 scales i get when i buy my new guitar so info on these types will be best. thanks

A longer scale, assuming the strings are tuned to the same pitch, will create more tension on the string. That's why baritone guitars (a common scale is 26.5quot; I believe) are getting so popular for downtuning.

Talking about 24.75quot; vs. 25.5quot;, I'd go with the latter for downtuning. The shorter scale gives a bit looser feel, easier bending, and a softer tone IMO. The longer scale yields a tighter feel, a bit more fight to bends, and a more snappy/biting tone to my ears (assuming similar materials/parts/hardware of course).

SR, I dont detune often so I will let others address that issue-
But 25.5 tends to be a bit 'stiffer' and slightly brighter, ie Fender, vs 24.75 Gibson which are 'mushier' and darker to me. I've also heard that a longer scale is easier to get good inonation on, but the math behind those discussions goes completely over my head-

But the bottom line is what sounds good and feels good to you!

Pretty much, the longer the scale, the better for downtuning. Ibanez made some 27quot; guitars a while back. You could look into one of those, could find a used one pretty cheap.

If you are asking about to inquite about a future guitar acquisition, how far do ou plan on detuning?

The most common tuning i play apart from standard is drop c. Does scale effect downtuning stability?

I thought most baritones were 27quot; The yamaha drop 6's were, and there's a dinky27.. I'm pretty sure I've seen a few others that are 27 too.

You should also be aware that PRS use 25quot;, which is a kind of compromise between the two, giving yet another different feel.

Drop C you can get away with with even gibson scale if you really wanted to.. personally I prefer 25.5quot; quot;fender scalequot; for most things, and if possible baritone scale length for B or below.


Originally Posted by SepultuRickThe most common tuning i play apart from standard is drop c. Does scale effect downtuning stability?

IMO yes, if you drop the tuning very low on a quot;standardquot; scale length you'll have to put a thicker guage or the strings will be like loose rubber bands. If you're going to drop very far I'd probably look at a 7 string or a baritone 6.


Originally Posted by nuntiusI thought most baritones were 27quot; The yamaha drop 6's were, and there's a dinky27.. I'm pretty sure I've seen a few others that are 27 too.

Very well could be, I've never even really given baritones a glance so I don't know much about their finer details.

Iommi played an SG in C so you could use a shorter scale guitar for down tuning. It just feels more like a clump of limp noodles.

~#12469;#12531;#12481;#12519;~


Originally Posted by Bob ZombieIommi played an SG in C so you could use a shorter scale guitar for down tuning. It just feels more like a clump of limp noodles.

~#12469;#12531;#12481;#12519;~

He might have just used thicker strings, like 12s for example, to keep the tension up. C isn't too bad on quot;normalquot; scale lengths, but if you want to go down any lower I'd probably go baritone.


Originally Posted by Bob ZombieIommi played an SG in C so you could use a shorter scale guitar for down tuning. It just feels more like a clump of limp noodles.

~#12469;#12531;#12481;#12519;~

Besides Iommi, it usually sounds like a lawnmower on top of feeling like limp noodles!!!


Originally Posted by FretFireHe might have just used thicker strings, like 12s for example, to keep the tension up. C isn't too bad on quot;normalquot; scale lengths, but if you want to go down any lower I'd probably go baritone.

He probably went for something beefy for him like 10s. If I recall he used some pretty light strings in standard, like 7s or 8s.


Originally Posted by FretFireHe might have just used thicker strings, like 12s for example, to keep the tension up. C isn't too bad on quot;normalquot; scale lengths, but if you want to go down any lower I'd probably go baritone.

I was under the impression that he tuned down origionally to loosen up his strings because of his accident. Maybe Im wrong Im not a huge Sabbath fan but what you said about 12 gauge string is true aswell. I've got a friend who uses 13s in C.

~#12469;#12531;#12481;#12519;~


Originally Posted by proxyHe probably went for something beefy for him like 10s. If I recall he used some pretty light strings in standard, like 7s or 8s.

10s? Beefy?

I've posted this before on this board in another thread but at the risk of repeating myself;

There is a quot;squarequot; or exponential relationship between pitch and tension.

If you drop the pitch by 10% then you are dropping the tension by the square of that, 21%.

There are fixed increments in the form of intervals however. A drop of a semitone is 5.95%; a tone is 12.25% a minor third, 18.93%. These equate to tension reductions of 12.25%, 26% and 41.45% respectively, so that extra semitone makes a big difference to the performance of the string.

I don't think baritone is for me as i will mostly be usuing standard. i think 25.5 seems the best way to go for me. maybe anyway. i have never actually played a guitar with a 24.75 scale neck tuned to drop c