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My first flattop was from a StewMac kit, which touted a 25.4 scale length. The fret layout on that fretboard is different than the LMI 25.4 scale fret slotting template which I have been using ever since. Now, perusing StewMac's site, they say the 25.4 " Martin scale is a misnomer, and the Martin scale is actually 25.34.

So if I'm understanding this, the LMI 25.4 scale is actually 25.4, but when someone says Martin 25.4" scale, it really means 25.34.

Can someone explain this?

The only thing I can figure is that they include saddle compensation in that.

If saddle compensation is added at 0.06", it would make a 25.4" scale to the center of the saddle.

In the case of the LMI template, which I use, I add 0.15" for compensation, bringing the total length from the nut to the center of the saddle to 25.55"

I could be wrong about this, and probably am.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Like Don said, and yes historicly Martin's 25.4 scale is 25.34 befor compensation

Kelby,

I'll preface this by saying I know absolutely NOTHING about traditional American guitar scale lengths, but I am familiar with the 644mm or 25 11/32" or 25.34375" scale length as this is the one on the Ibex Fret Rule I have marked as Steel String along with 24 27/32" or 24.84375" also shown as Steel String.

So perhaps Don is right - 25.34" becomes 25.5" and 24.84" becomes 24.9".

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Thanks, guys!