• From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Topic: Scale Length

Hey All-

For those of you that don't know, I am building a strat/les paul hybrid guitar using Warmoth parts. I just got the body, which is chambered mahogany with a quilted maple top, and next purchase is going to be the neck, which is going to also be mahogany with a brazilian rosewood neck. Now, my question is about scale length. I could go with the standard strat scale, which is what I am used to (I am primarily a strat player, they just sit so well in my hands), or I could go with the 24 3/4" scale neck. How would it alter the sound (I am using F*nder custom shop '69's in the neck and middle, and a dimarzio ProTrack in the bridge), and what would you all recommend? Which would give the best/most unique tone?

Thanks,
Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • Registered: 2010-03-09
  • Posts: 422

Re: Scale Length

I think you posted a picture of that body, it was beautiful if it's the one I'm thinking of.  I think I would go with the longer scale.  It seems like that is where your comfort zone is.  Not sure what going with a shorter scale would get you.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Scale Length

OK I had this discussion with my friend a month ago while he was buying his new neck for his old stratocaster.  It was a 90's model that he bought from a friend and basically the old neck was warped to fix it would cost as much as a new Warmoth neck basically.  So he toyed around with the idea that a conversion neck would be better for him because he is a Les Paul guy.  I changed his mind because of a couple reasons:

1) Intonation, I don't care who tells you otherwise you can't get perfect intonation on anything lowwer then a 25 inch scale neck.  Thats why PRS picked that inbetween point so they could get more playability and still intonate correctly.  If you don't care that it will always be a little off then this doesn't matter.
2) Tone.  The string is going to be deeper.  lowwer scale necks require less string the shorter the string the less tention it takes to tune it to pitch.  Its what gives your gibsons that slinky feel and your fenders that fighting against you feeling.  The strings will be like rubber bands while your fender will be like rebar.  Do you want a loose sound or do you want that tight slaping sound of the a fender?
3)  If you switch guitars to another stratocaster at least you won't have to get used to this one again when you switch back.
4)  Vintage or vintage modern are much cheaper by like $100
So there you go that and your already used to a Stratocaster neck.  Why mess up a good thing?

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Scale Length

Fender scale.  Being an at heart Fender guy I'd probably put the Fender scale on any guitar with single coils.  If you were to take some of the scale length away it would rob the pickups of a little snap which they are known for.  For a "unique" sound you could put a Gibson scale on a Fender type guitar to see what happens!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Scale Length

a short scale won't feel right if you're a strat guy. the neck will feel awkwardly shorter only a little, and the "blind playing" (i.e. not looking at your playing) will be affected.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: Scale Length

Hey All-

Thanks for all the great input! Looks like a strat scale it is.... When I say I am a strat player, it's just what I tend to grab first when I sit down to play... I also have a '58 LP RI that I love to death as well... I am just hoping to get a real thick and balsy sound outta my parts-o-caster!


Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Scale Length

Logo33 wrote:

I am just hoping to get a real thick and balsy sound outta my parts-o-caster!


Logan

Some tips on getting a fat tone from a Strat:

1) Doing the bridge pickup tone control mod...nothing secret or new but really helps fatten the bridge pickup even for fat Strats (humbucker)

2) Rosewood fingerboard.  Maple always seems to have some 'snap' to the sound no matter what you do.

3) BK Butler Tube Driver or BB Preamp.  These 2 pedals do a better job of fattening up a Strat than any other pedals I've run across.


I'd love to see and hear your Partscaster when you are done with it!  Good luck with the build.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.