Official Luthiers Forum!

Has anyone built with a Gibson 24.625" scale length?

The shortest I've done is Martin 24.9".

I know intonation gets trickier with shorter scale lengths and there will be tonal differences. I actually prefer the sound of Martin short vs. long. I'm re-topping a 13 fret L-00 I made that developed a severe belly because I experimented with opening the X a few degrees. It was Martin long scale but if I go to Gibson 24.625", it will turn into a 14-fret (almost) which is what I want.

Thoughts, opinions, experiences greatly appreciated.

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

have used scale lengths down to 23 inches
most were on smaller parlor guitars

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

My most common scale is 25". But I've done a fair amount of 24.625 and haven't noticed any real perceivable diffences that are noteworthy enough to require process change...

24.3 is the shortest scale I use so far and I didn't have any problems with intonation. That is to say it was no different then my normal guitar scale lengths.

I've used 23.5, 24, 24.82 scale lengths. None was a problem for intonation and no obvious difficulties appeared. All three pleased an experienced luthier and classical guitar player.

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Peter Havriluk

I have copied an used as a model brazilian gianinni cl gtr with a a 600 mm short scale or just atad over 24in. I find it very easy to play for a cl since it has a narrower nut 47mm instead of the wider more traditional cl gtrs. at 52mm and wider

Thanks for all of the replies!

Greatly appreciated.

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.