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Hi, just wondering if neck scale should play a big part in my choice for a new guitar? i play from standard tuning to drop c. i played a guitar i really liked in my local shop and it was 24.75 scale but judging by the replies to my thread about what neck scale actually determines, i kind of decided a 25.5 scale would be best for me. i play mostly metal. from megadeth to children of bodom to in flames to metallica to dimmu borgir to kreator.

so basically, is neck scale really that important? thanks

It's important to me.

why?

Neck scale is important because you want to feel comfortable playing the guitar that your playing. Some neck scales just feel better than others. I'm pretty sure that there is a technical side to this as well as far as tuning stability, neck warping ect. ect. but one of the more knowledgable on the forum will have to post about that. If it's comfortable then I say go for it. I play a Strat in Drop B tuning, used to be C#, C, D, standard and Eb. I've played in those tuning and haven't had any problems other than reintonating and adjusting action. There are probably some technical issues that I don't know about that would make me tune back up in a hurry though. I think as long as you don't put .12's or .13's on and tune to standard you SHOULD be ok but like I said you'll have to wait for someone who really knows to post about that.


Originally Posted by LiquidSkyNeck scale is important because you want to feel comfortable playing the guitar that your playing. Some neck scales just feel better than others. I'm pretty sure that there is a technical side to this as well as far as tuning stability, neck warping ect. ect. but one of the more knowledgable on the forum will have to post about that. If it's comfortable then I say go for it. I play a Strat in Drop B tuning, used to be C#, C, D, standard and Eb. I've played in those tuning and haven't had any problems other than reintonating and adjusting action. There are probably some technical issues that I don't know about that would make me tune back up in a hurry though. I think as long as you don't put .12's or .13's on and tune to standard you SHOULD be ok but like I said you'll have to wait for someone who really knows to post about that.

SRV played with I believe 13s and only tuned down half a step. Necks can take a lot of tension, more than some people give them credit for. I'd worry more about using too short of a scale when doing major drop tuning, your strings can quickly turn to floppy mush.

Longer neck scales make for longer reaches with your fingers. And harder string bending because the tension on the string is higher beacuse it's longer and you have to tune it tighter to get it to the same pitch as on a shorter scale.

Don't worry even the TINIEST bit about heavy strings on an electric warping the neck. If acoustic guitars, which are far more delicate, can handle .013's (they are made to handle heavy strings), any electric can unless its made out of balsa wood or pulp or something.


Originally Posted by ZhangliqunLonger neck scales make for longer reaches ....any electric can unless its made out of balsa wood or pulp or something.

I agree with all this. A nice side-effect of the higher tension is that the strings are just a tad snappier, so if you're playing some super fast picking kind of thing, it seems to help... it seems easier

On the other hand, shorter scale length bends much easier.

To each his own. I play both and do notice a distinct difference.

Lol see I told you the people who REALLY knew would post!

Lots of metal bands use 24.75quot;, lots of metal bands use 25.5quot; scale. Go with what feels better to you. When listening to a musician (especially under high gain), it is near impossible to distinguish these two scales from one another.


Originally Posted by big_blackLots of metal bands use 24.75quot;, lots of metal bands use 25.5quot; scale. Go with what feels better to you. When listening to a musician (especially under high gain), it is near impossible to distinguish these two scales from one another.

Yep. Scale lengths are of personal preference, your listeners probably won't have a clue.

I've done Drop-B bullsh*t on my Fake Les Paul (strung with 11s) before. Felt and sounded fine. If you've already got an instrument in mind that you're already keen on, don't decide against it just because of the scale.

Aside from the difference in feel, there are some inherent tonal differences between 24.75 and 25.5. Which is better for you is strictly a matter of preference.

Well...intonating thicker strings and lower tunings is easier on longer necks.

choose the one that better fits in your hand........................i cannot hear a difference especially under high gain as someone else said............

With a longer scale, say for example, Warmoth’s 28 5/8 baritone scale (my favorite), the strings will be more articulate in those low tunings (since they’re tighter), which I think is very important. I would at least go with the Fender scale (25.5), but ESP/LTD, Schecter and other similar brands (including Fender) produce guitars with extended scales that are made for the lower tunings.

When tuning down there around B, and with such high gain, I think articulation is very important at that point and you should consider a longer than average scale. There will be a tad more resistance when bending, but you’re a man and you play metal and you can handle it. You’re fingers will get stronger and you’ll be used to it in no time - and the strings won’t be so loose, so you can play harder and get more tone out of the strings.

I play that Warmoth baritone strat I made and it has the 28 5/8 scale. I tune it to B with D’Addario 14’s. I’m a man.

Longer scale = higher operating tension for the strings. = less string excursion = less fret buzz = nicer sound

and so on...

You've also got a bit more room between higher frets for all the widdly-widdly stuff that i can't do.

You may find this useful
from : localhost/www.pacificsites.net/~dog/Str...ionApplet.html

I find the lower strings of the guitar, most noticeably the low e to have way better articulation on a 25.5', and find a 24.75 to sound a tad sloppy, however it is mostly in the feel that it is sloppier. I think the 24.75 better suits classic rock, and blues, while 25.5 is better for metal. I have a guitar of each scale, and am always switching back and forth.