Does scale length affect string tension?

Does scale length affect string tension?

String tension The most important impact scale length makes is on the tension of the strings. The longer the scale length, the higher the tension needs to be to bring the string up to pitch. A short scale length requires very little tension to bring the strings up to pitch when compared to a longer scale guitar.

Do short scale guitars have less tension?

When people talk about a short scale, it’s typically 24 3/4 inches, while long scale is over 25 inches. A greater scale length means more tension in the strings, since they have to span a greater distance. Since short-scale guitars have less string tension, they have a little more wiggle room and punch.

Does scale length affect intonation?

This increased length helps the instrument to sound in tune all over the fingerboard—it’s called compensation or intonation and we’ll get into that another day. That’s the scale length. So, if you measure your Strat, you’ll find a nut-to-12th-fret measurement of 12.75″. Doubling this gives us 25.5″.

Is a longer scale guitar harder to play?

Because the strings on a shorter-scale are under less tension, they are easier to bend and fret. The wider fret spacing on longer-scale guitars also means that, depending on the size of your hands, they can be a little more difficult to play than those with a shorter scale.

How does scale length affect playability?

Scale length can have a significant effect on playability. All factors being equal (string gauge, string length beyond the nut and saddle, break angles, and so on), shorter scales produce lower string tension, are more elastic, easier to fret, and require less arm extension.

Are long scale guitars harder?

Strings on longer-scale guitars will feel tighter and firmer than those fitted to one with a short scale. This affects playability. The wider fret spacing on longer-scale guitars also means that, depending on the size of your hands, they can be a little more difficult to play than those with a shorter scale.

How much tension does a 25.5 ″ guitar have?

On a 25.5″ scale length guitar in standard tuning, a set of 012-053 strings will have a combined tension of 160.5 pounds (72.8 kg), while on a shorter 24.75″ instrument it would be much less, at 151.24 pounds (68.6 kg). This equates to a ~6% difference in tension from a ~3% change in scale length!

How does scale length affect the tension of the strings on your guitar?

Have you ever wondered how scale length affects the tension of the strings on your guitar? If you take one guitar with a longer scale length, you put the same set of strings on it as you do a guitar with a shorter scale length, which is going to have more tension?

What’s the scale length of a 1930 Gibson Guitar?

If your 1930’s Gibson L-OO, for example, measures 12-3/8″ at the 12th fret, then your guitar’s scale length is twice that—a 24-3/4″ scale. For good intonation, the guitar’s saddle will be placed so a little extra string length is added.

What is the standard length of a guitar string?

Guitar string tension is based upon a 25.5″ guitar scale length and standard tuning. String tension shown below is an approximation. Guitar string tension is based upon a 27″ guitar scale length and standard tuning.