Author Topic: Scale lenght ? (Read 96 times)

pierreyves · « **on:** December 10, 2007, 07:11:34 AM »

Hello, I want know how you mesure the lenght of your scales. I have an Alembic official short scale Stanley Clarke Signature Deluxe and my scale is 32. I take this measure from the bridge to the nut. Is it right ? If I take from the tailpiece I have a long scale 34.
Alembic give 30,75 for the SCSD...
I use medium scale strings from d'Addario...
Strange...
Thank's for your help.

lbpesq · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2007, 07:20:02 AM »

Pierre-Yves:

The preferred way to measure scale length is to measure the distance from the nut to the 12th fret and double it. This is more accurate than nut to bridge as the individual bridge saddles are usually uneven. I learned that on this site.

BIll, tgo

bassman10096 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2007, 07:23:30 AM »

This is more accurate than nut to bridge as the individual bridge saddles are usually uneven. I learned that on this site.
Now that you mention it, I never understood the reason for measuring that way before. Thanks, Bill.
Bill

chuck · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2007, 07:27:33 AM »

Pierre-Yves
Ditto on what Bill says.You are measuring scale length not string lenght which can vary due to headstock layout and tailpiece location.

Chuck

adriaan · « **Reply #4 on:** December 10, 2007, 07:36:57 AM »

Pierre-Yves,

Scale is the length of the string that vibrates at the desired pitch, so between the nut and the bridge. Like Bill says, the easiest way to measure is to take the distance from the nut to the 12th fret, and then multiply by 2.

In centimeters:
medium 32 = 81.3 cm (12th fret at 40.65 cm)
short 30.75 = 78.1 cm (12th fret at 39.05 cm)

You won't find many SC models with a scale over 30.75, because of head-dive problems.

On most Alembics, you'll need slightly longer strings because of the separate tail piece.

pierreyves · « **Reply #5 on:** December 10, 2007, 07:46:04 AM »

;o))
many thank's folks !
It's clear for me now.