The Steel Guitar Forum

24" bridge measurements are used as a standard, as well as 24 1/4".
Wouldn't it be fair to assume that most builders use one or the other on most steel guitars? Are there any exceptions?

Bill H.

Most I've seen use either a 24 or 24.25" scale length (and out of that more follow the 24" length -- off the top of my head, Emmons and JCH are the only 2 24.25" lenght I can think of, i'm sure there are more, though)...However, I think Sierra uses a 25 and something " scale length on their keyless, as well as a couple others.

My Zum is 24.25 inches and I think the Franklin is too.
Sho Bud is 24 inches.

Sierra "keyless" are usually 25". The Excel SuperB models are all 25 and 1/2".

Sierra can get away with this on a keyless because the strings will not break as easily at 25" as it would if it were keyed. In fact, I doubt you could engage the B pedal more than a dozen times without the string breaking, (if at all) IF it were a keyed guitar.

The reason Excel can get away with a 25 and 1/2" is because it is one of but two current changers that does NOT bend the string back and forth to change the strings pitch. Rather, it pulls and relaxes the string in an almost straight line.

Proving once again that it is NOT the stretching of the string that is the culprit, it is the bending of it.

carl

Fessenden uses a 24 1/4" scale.

My Mullen has a 24.25" scale.

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Lee, from South Texas
Down On The Rio Grande

My 1978 Sierra Olympic is 24". I used to play a 1983 Sierra Crown keyless that was 24.5". My current Sierra Session keyless is 25".

I prefer the longer scale. For any given fret position, there is a longer length of string vibrating. It sounds better, to my ears anyway.



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<small><img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9), Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

S.G.M.,

I really appreciate the replies, and the generous outpouring of information, that would otherwise be difficult to ascertain on my own. One of my pals visited yesterday from Claverack, N.Y., and I measured the span on his Mullen at 24.25". Thanks Lee B. for the confirmation. I am currently repairing a dbl. 10 steel with no name on the cabinet. The wood is maple, and the pedals have a casted "M", and "R" on them. The bridge span is the same as a Sho-Bud, 24".
Perhaps D. MARRS could shed some light on the mystery steel.

Bill H. <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 13 April 2003 at 01:30 PM.]</p></FONT>

F.M.,

A conversation with a good friend last evening revealed still another odd scale measurement. According to him, a 50's single ten string, cable driven Fender measures 23.25. I will make further inquiries at shows, alluding to structural differences, in the future. I don't recall ever reading in magazines, or newsletters a complete compilation of the slightly varied bridge span measurements. If such important data does exist, I would hasten to obtain a copy. Another interesting study related to the differences that occurs on instruments, depending totally on manufacturing specifications, is the accuracy of the harmonics at the twelfth fret. Just a slight miscalculation on the placement of roller bridges, or fretboard could spell imperfect harmonics. We wouldn't be making references to obvious miscalculations, but rather vague incongruences. No matter, if the fretboard corresponds with the bridge span, and is just a silly iota off center, it would no doubt go unnoticed for the duration of a lifetime.

Bill H.

Bobby Lee I agree. The 25" scale does sound better. A few years back, I played a Sierra keyless. It was one of the best sounding guitars I ever owned.

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Playing PSG keeps you on your toes.

My Sierra Crown Keyless is 24 inch.

S,G F.M.

The sustaining qualities of any given string, can be observered with the naked eye. The longer span will vibrate to a greater degree. The larger gauge strings will resound extensively, resulting in sustaining vibes.

Bill Hankey

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Bill Hankey on 16 April 2003 at 01:28 AM.]</p></FONT>