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Topic: scale length |
Paul Dittmeier
From:
Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2007 3:33 pm |
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| what is the best, or most preferred scale length on the steel ? |
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Curt Langston
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Posted 7 Feb 2007 4:23 pm
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For the best (longest) sustain, a lot of guys will agree that a 25 to 25.5 scale is best.
Of course, you have to go with a keyless model in order to keep .011 G#'s strings on it. |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 7 Feb 2007 5:27 pm
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I find that's generally right as well, although there is a a LOT more to sustain/tonal issues than scale length. construction (body, changer, nut) and strings can have a much more dramatic effect.
IMO the best scale length is the one you feel most comfortable playing on. the other issues can all be dealt with in different ways.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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David Doggett
From:
Bawl'mer, MD (formerly of MS, Nawluns, Gnashville, Knocksville, Lost Angeles, Bahsten. and Philly)
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Posted 7 Feb 2007 5:29 pm
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| The Emmons push/pull is generally considered the benchmark for pedal steel tone and sustain - it had a 24 1/4" scale. Many modern PSGs such as Zum also have that length. Others, such as Carter and the MSA Millennium, have a 24" scale, with no noticeable lack of tone or sustain. Curt is correct that keyless PSGs can have 25" or even 25 1/2" scales. Apparently because of less stretch at the tuner, and therefore less bending at the changer, they can use such long scale lengths without unacceptable string breakage. Whether they have more sustain is debateable. Theoretically, the longer the scale the longer the sustain, all other things being equal (which is seldom the case). |
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