Scale size 25.5 vs. 24.75

jah · #1 April 1st, 2008

I had concerns about hand size and was looking at guitars with different scale sizes, 25.5 and 24.75.

Since I'm new and my fingers don't yet co-operate, I really couldn't tell the difference between the two scale sizes.

I ended up getting an Epiphone Hummingbird. I think the scale is 25.5.

Anyone have a preference or is does it really matter once you get going and your fingers actually start working?

starsailor · #2 April 1st, 2008

Hello jah

Personally I think the most important thing is to have a guitar you're comfortable with, some people are happy with a smaller scale some with a larger scale, some people like a wide fretboard some a narrow fretboard etc. As you become more experienced you'll be able to play different size guitars but when you're starting out you need to be at ease with the guitar you have and like the sound etc. if you start with a guitar you can't get on with it can become very frustrating, that's a beautiful guitar you have there, it has some really good reviews, great choice jah and have fun playing it.

Best Wishes

Chris

knight46 · #3 April 2nd, 2008

+1 to Chris's comments. It is all very personnal preference.

si16 · #4 April 2nd, 2008

The strings on shorter scale guitars have less tension than longer scale guitars making bends easier. Some people will choose shorter scale guitars and use a heavier gauge string on them as this provides a good compromise between tone and using bends.

pastorbob · #5 April 3rd, 2008

When I started playing, it was on an Alvarez acoustic that was given to me by a friend, and I didn't know scale length from a hole in the wall. I was just trying to learn to play a guitar! When I moved to electric a year ago, I did some research before buying my first real electric (this was right after the Wal-Mart, dip my toe in the water first, First Act guitar fiasco). I decided on the 24 3/4" scale length simply because everything I read told me that the 25 1/2" was more challenging to a beginner (and I figured even with a bit of acoustic experience, I was still a beginner in so many ways). I now have several 25 1/2" guitars (Fender Strat, Schecter C-1 Elite, Ibanez A-E), and I love playing them all, but every now and then I still pull out the 24 3/4" Dean EVO XM (yeah, it was a beginner) and have some fun, because it feels easy to play (sounds nice, and people like the looks of it too).