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Topic: Short Scale or Long Scale?? |
Dennis Burling
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 7:00 am |
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I'd like to hear opinions on Short Scale vrs Long Scale Lap Steels. Besides fret spacing, what are the advantages/disadvantages of each with a Lap Steel Guitar?
What's your favorite? Why?
Thanks, Denny |
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Roger Palmer
From:
Rossendale, UK
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 7:03 am
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I like short scale
Its much prettier  |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 7:31 am
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| The longer the scale, the longer the sustain. |
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Ulric Utsi-Åhlin
From:
Sweden
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 8:06 am Scale length...
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Let´s spy into the world of standard electric guitar
; Gibsons have shorter scale than Fenders ; greater
length nut-to-bridge means higher tension for the
same pitch,producing a sound w/ more pronounced
hi mid & treble ; Fenders DO sound brighter,given the
other variables are identical ; this is a simple
primer to the basic difference between longer &
shorter scale length,tonally,but a lot more could be
said and if we bring in subjectivity this could become an Ad Infinitum-thread...McUtsi |
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Dennis Burling
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 8:27 am Re: Scale length...
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| Ulric Utsi-Åhlin wrote: |
Let´s spy into the world of standard electric guitar
; Gibsons have shorter scale than Fenders ; greater
length nut-to-bridge means higher tension for the
same pitch,producing a sound w/ more pronounced
hi mid & treble ; Fenders DO sound brighter,given the
other variables are identical ; this is a simple
primer to the basic difference between longer &
shorter scale length,tonally,but a lot more could be
said and if we bring in subjectivity this could become an Ad Infinitum-thread...McUtsi |
If the electronics are the same, then a short scale LP will sound warmer than a longer scale. That's my experience anyway. The longer scale guitar will have better sustain and sound a little brighter. But I've been told that the longer scale Lap Steel usually has a little richer tone than a short scale. The key word is "usually". |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Ray Langley
From:
Northern California, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 8:36 am
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Assuming you are in the same key for both instruments, you can use thicker strings on the shorter one. This can offer a "fatter", more mellow, tone.
On a longer scale steel, all of the slants will be at a steeper angle. |
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Chris Scruggs
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 8:41 am
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I much prefer short scale steels. Slants are easier and you can use heavier strings. For instance, many short scale steel players who play C6 will use .015, .018 and 22 as their top three strings. On a 24.5" scale guitar it is more common to use .014, .017 and .020.
That being said, a long scale guitar does have a certain "chime" to it. They are brighter and more piercing in tone. Listen to "There She Goes" by Carl Smith. You will hear Johnny Sibert play a 26" scale Fender Stringmaster and the tone will just blow you away.
It's a compromise of sustain vs. playability, but as Doug said, Jerry Byrd didn't have any problem with sustain and he ALWAYS played a 22.5" guitar.
My vote is for short scale.
Chris |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 10:24 am
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| Chris Scruggs wrote: |
I much prefer short scale steels. Slants are easier and you can use heavier strings. For instance, many short scale steel players who play C6 will use .015, .018 and 22 as their top three strings. On a 24.5" scale guitar it is more common to use .014, .017 and .020.
That being said, a long scale guitar does have a certain "chime" to it. They are brighter and more piercing in tone. Listen to "There She Goes" by Carl Smith. You will hear Johnny Sibert play a 26" scale Fender Stringmaster and the tone will just blow you away.
It's a compromise of sustain vs. playability, but as Doug said, Jerry Byrd didn't have any problem with sustain and he ALWAYS played a 22.5" guitar.
My vote is for short scale.
Chris |
Jerry Byrd was a MASTER of the volume pedal (among other things).
_________________
Amor vincit omnia |
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Jon Nygren
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 10:31 am
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I do like to slant alot, and find it easier on the shorter scales(in the low registers anyway). I also like the fatter strings on a shorter scale guitar.
Two different flavors, shorter scales tend to work for me better. I don't find the sustain 'lacking', but have to coax it a bit more waaay up high on a short scale...no big deal. |
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Chris Buchanan
From:
Macomb, IL
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 2:23 pm Stoopid question
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Hey guys- Where do you draw the line between short and long scale?
Thanx
_________________
GFI Ultra S-10, Nashville 112, stuff. |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 2:26 pm
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I think we really need to talk about short, medium and long scales.
This is representative of the Fender Stringmasters.
They were built in three different scales: 22 1/2", 24 1/2" and 26". (short, medium and long). |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 4:24 pm Not a stoopid question
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| Chris Buchanan wrote: |
Hey guys- Where do you draw the line between short and long scale?
Thanx |
For me it would be 23", which is a real nice compromise between the scale lengths, and may be a factor in why the DynaLap steels sound so good.
However I wouldn't know what to call a 23" scale steel.
Anything above 24 1/2 is simply way long, and below 22 1/2 is way short. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 5:12 pm
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24 1/2" is perfect IMO. Takes a little finessing on the slants, but they are there. I like the feel, the look and the tone.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Andre Nizzari
From:
Bronx, NY
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 5:21 pm long scale is better for low tunings
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i prefer long scale, 25 1/2", because to me the low tunings, like open D, & open G sound more clearer...better.
_________________
Blues in a doggy bag, is what I got to eat! |
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Dennis Burling
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 5:52 pm Re: long scale is better for low tunings
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| Andre Nizzari wrote: |
| i prefer long scale, 25 1/2", because to me the low tunings, like open D, & open G sound more clearer...better. |
So does a longer scale equal clear tone? |
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Andre Nizzari
From:
Bronx, NY
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 6:06 pm Re: long scale is better for low tunings
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| Dennis Burling wrote: |
| Andre Nizzari wrote: |
| i prefer long scale, 25 1/2", because to me the low tunings, like open D, & open G sound more clearer...better. |
So does a longer scale equal clear tone? |
For me it does because I usually tune down to low D or even C and to me it sounds clearer.
I'm pretty sure baritone and basses have longer scales too because of just that.
_________________
Blues in a doggy bag, is what I got to eat! |
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Dennis Burling
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 7:17 pm Re: long scale is better for low tunings
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| Andre Nizzari wrote: |
| Dennis Burling wrote: |
| Andre Nizzari wrote: |
| i prefer long scale, 25 1/2", because to me the low tunings, like open D, & open G sound more clearer...better. |
So does a longer scale equal clear tone? |
For me it does because I usually tune down to low D or even C and to me it sounds clearer.
I'm pretty sure baritone and basses have longer scales too because of just that. |
Excellent Point about the Baritone and Basses. |
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Billy Tonnesen
From:
R.I.P., Buena Park, California
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Posted 7 Jan 2009 8:52 pm
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| As previously stated, short scale makes slants easier and more accurate. Also in my personal experience, finger harmonics were easier on the short scale. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 8 Jan 2009 1:34 am
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Long ago when Jerry first introduced the JB Frypan, I placed an order with him for a long-neck. Before he processed the order, he asked if I REALLY wanted a long-neck, stating he preferred the short-neck model due to a number of reasons, primarily was lower fret slanting. I cancelled the long-neck and bought the short-neck upon his recommendation.  |
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