Short scale acoustics ?

[timmyo]

Have any of you chaps spent any time with mini/shorter scale acoustic guitars ?

I tried one of these http://www.ariaguitars.com/int/03_pr...af_38mini.html the other day and immediate impressions were good. TO get to try one again will be a trek, and won't be imminent, so I was wondering in the meantime if anyone had experience of these or similar ?

ta

Tim

[jalapeno]

My old and sadly departed this mortal coil (coutesy of Mrs J at the airport) travel guitar had a short scale, takes a few mins to get used - but fine after that.

Aren't the Baby Martin/Taylors similarly shortened ?

[timmyo]

Aren't the Baby Martin/Taylors similarly shortened ?

Yes. This one sounded quite nice though.

[Shpeil]

I've got me a short scale - 625mm. Standard is about 650mm. I've got titchy inflexible hands so it suits me well. What I love about it is that I can make stretches on it that I can't make on any other guitar.

I tend to find it has less "ping" in the sound (or more mellow) than a standard scale, but that might be to do with the fact its also cedar/rosewood which is a pretty warm combination anyway.

There might also be a slight affect on tuning owing to the physics of it and the need to use slightly heavier strings, but its not often noticable. Things do tend to get a bit floppy in slack tunings though.

You could try a Gibson J45 and see how you like that (629mm if I recall). The Taylor L9 series are also short scale - short to Taylor is 632mm.

The baby taylor is about 580mm scale, and I, personally, didn't like how it sounded or played at all - same for the baby Martin. The big baby is the full 650mm.

Or you can see how a short scale might feel by putting a capo at the first fret of your current axe and detuning a semi-tone. Obviously, that would be a fair shortening and not many scale lenghs are shortened by that much.

[bertie]

I've got me a short scale - 625mm. Standard is about 650mm. h.

000 (24.75) is about 628mm........... its ok but maybe a tad twangy when you dig in.

std 25.5 is 647mm .......... Im thinking of going 25 (635mm) but would like to try first..............

[Filthy_Phil]

Have any of you chaps spent any time with mini/shorter scale acoustic guitars ?

I tried one of these http://www.ariaguitars.com/int/03_pr...af_38mini.html the other day and immediate impressions were good. TO get to try one again will be a trek, and won't be imminent, so I was wondering in the meantime if anyone had experience of these or similar ?

ta

Tim

Mini Me could be rocking out with one of those before you know it!

[thompy]

Short scale, is that the same as a parlour size? If so I've got one of these ...




its a bit of a dog to play to be honest because the intonation out, but its good to mess about on. Was thinking of putting it up t'bay. PM me if you're interested and we'll talk shop.

[edit] please ignor the girly dovet cover

[timmyo]

its a bit of a dog to play to be honest because the intonation out,
.
.
.
.
PM me if you're interested and we'll talk shop.

Tempting as that sounds, I think I'll pass :lol:

[thompy]

Tempting as that sounds, I think I'll pass :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

you're sure now? I can't tempt you? She'd make a great fixer upper. Could be worth a fortune in a 1000 years or so.

[andrewrg]

Short scale, is that the same as a parlour size? If so I've got one of these ...




its a bit of a dog to play to be honest because the intonation out, but its good to mess about on. Was thinking of putting it up t'bay. PM me if you're interested and we'll talk shop.

[edit] please ignor the girly dovet cover

'Parlour size' refers to body size; scale lengths are usually standard.