I’m thinking about ordering a 24-3/4″ scale-adjusted Strat neck from Warmoth. Why? Because it’s easier to play a shorter neck.
Here’s a small list of popular guitars and their scale lengths:
Fender Jaguar – 24 ”
Fender Mustang – 24 ”
Epiphone Les Paul Standard – 24.75 ”
Gibson Les Paul Standard – 24.75 ”
PRS SE Custom 24 – 25 ”
PRS Custom 24 – 25 ”
Fender Stratocaster – 25.5 ”
Fender Telecaster – 25.5 ”
Fender Jazzmaster – 25.5 ”
So there you go. This proves that Les Pauls are easier to play than Strats.
Of course, there are other factors. Many, many other factors. The shape of the neck, the frets, the action, the intonation, and a million other variables. But this post is about guitar scale lengths. Onward.
How do you determine scale length? The distance from the front edge of the nut to the middle of the 12th fret is measured, then multiplied by 2. So on a Fender Mustang, it’s 12 inches from the nut to the 12th fret, whereas on a Strat it’s 12.75 inches. The closer the frets are together, the easier it is to, say, reach 4 frets away with your pinkie finger. I said finger, because guys have lots of nicknames for their Abe Lincoln and I don’t want anyone to be confused.
Shorter scales also make string bending easier, and in general have a warmer tone.
If shorter scales are easier to play, bend easier, and sound warmer, why doesn’t everyone use a 24 inch scale? It turns out that longer scales have a better sounding low end and slightly more clarity on the upper strings. Some call this a “bell-like” tone.
Interesting that Paul R. Smith, the guy who invented the three thousand dollar guitar*, wanted to get the best of both worlds and went with a 25 inch scale. Is that really the best of both worlds? Guitar players will argue about that until the cows come home from wherever they are. I’ve played many PRS guitars and every one I’ve played has been expensive. Um, and played great. My favorite guitar to play at my house is my PRS SE Custom 24. The neck is tiny and I can move around on it very quickly.
But all things considered, I have always loved the Fender Strat, and I always will. But there’s no doubt I’m faster on a Les Paul or on my PRS SE. So I wonder what would happen if I had a Strat with a shorter neck. Why not just buy a used Jaguar or Mustang neck, then? Because the bridge on the Strat would be in the wrong position and the entire guitar would be out of tune on almost every note. However, Warmoth makes a 24.75 inch scale neck where the frets are adjusted to work with the standard Strat bridge. I’d lose some of the Strat’s low end clarity and bell tone in exchange for a Strat that plays like a Fender Jaguar. Why not just put Strat pickups in a Jaguar, then? Good question. Maybe I’ll do that instead. A used MIM Jaguar is probably only a little more money than a fully finished neck from Warmoth. Something to think about.
* A joke. It’s a joke. I’m trying to be funny.
