Short Scale: alrighty, so who's got one...

[Edward]

...and what do you think of them?

I just got to thinking lately: on my Taylors, it just doesn't seem to make much of a difference to me, either in tone or feel.  I have had all full-scale taylors in the past, but this is the first time I've had both scale lengths simultaneously (as opposed to trying to remember what it felt/sounded like from the showroom), and have lived with them over time.  Currently I have a full-scale GS bod, and a short-scale DN and GC.  After many months now, I've come to feel that I cannot really discern much of a difference in fretting, tension, or tone (other than the obvious tone diffs from the woods and body shapes).  Perhaps I've just gotten so used to them?  Still, I find that the different string guages (I use elixir PB medium and med-lights) are far and away more significant in affecting tone and feel than merely scale length ...at least on my guits in my hands and limited experience.

So what say you all?  Any of you choose a short scale on purpose?  And if so, I'm curious what your perception is?  And perhaps more to the point: I get why Taylor would make a GC-bodied guit a short scale, but why did they make a DN/x10 a short scale as a standard model years ago ...what were they shooting for with that one?   

Edward

[terrypl]

I recently got a GA with short scale that I can compare to my GS with standard scale. Not sure if I perceive a real difference in the scale length or if I just imagine that I do because I know there is one! I can notice a difference when I capo the GA on the second fret or higher. Then I can tell how much easier it is to reach what would normally be a big stretch.

More noticeable is the difference in string gauge between the two -- the GA's lights have less tension. All the factors put together make the GA a lot more comfortable to play -- short scale, light strings, smaller body. Yet it has nearly the same volume and bass as the GS. I do love the GS, but I thought there would be a more significant difference between the two. I should note that they are both rosewood/spruce. I had read that the short scale can result in less string tension and some sacrifice in tone, but I have not noticed either. The tension and tone seem comparable to the GS, other than the difference in the string gauge.

Bottom line is that scale length alone won't make a huge difference in feel, but combined with a smaller body (GA or GC) and light-gauge strings, you'll notice a big difference from a larger guitar with standard scale.

[Giraku]

I also have both short and regular scale (812ce-N and W14ce). Aside from the difference in strings (nylon vs. steel), the biggest difference to me is that stretched fingering is much easier with the short scale, as in the previous post. In the past, I had a parlor guitar (Taylor XXXV-P) together with a bunch of x14s. So I do have some experience with both scales with steel strings (all of them had light gauge). Again, I did not notice any difference except for the ease of stretch fingering.

[ewalling]

My two acoustics right now - a GC3 and a Seagull SWS Mini-JUmbo - are both short(er) scale. While I didn't exactly choose them for this reason, I think the short scale formed part of a package that made them attractive enough to want to buy. The Taylor GC is possibly the best feeling guitar on the lap I've ever played, and I think the shorter scale is part of that great feel.

[cigarfan]

I have a GA short-scale 12-fret and a GA regular scale and can tell a huge difference, especially with fretting. Obviously, the 12-fret part of the equation makes the comparison different than those above. I have not played a short scale Taylor of any other flavor so my opinion doesn't really get to Edward's question.

On the other hand, I have a Gibson J-45 TV slope-shouldered drednaught which is short scale and I can really feel a difference in both tension and fretting. So much so that I can use medium gauge strings getting their added punch and volume and they play as comfortably as lights on my other guitars.

For me this means short scale has greater effect (in terms of feel) on larger guitars. I still don't "hear" a difference in tone.

[Edward]

Thanks for the thoughts, all.  I guess I merely expected more of a difference in tone and feel: I sense none of the former and maybe just a slight bit of the latter.  But I totally agree with the cumulative effect of combining specs: my GC-bod, with a short scale, strung with med-lights together make this my favorite playing acoustic for its small and comfortable feel but zero sacrifice in tone.

So anyone know what's the scoop with a short-scale dread?  Cigarfan's J45 seems to confirm to me that perhaps Taylor had their eye toward old school when they made short-scale dred a standard model years back.  But it must not have been very popular since now the x10/DNs are back to 25.5" with the option of SS to any of their line.  Not a Martin owner so I have no gauge for what may have been the acoustic tradition, but Cigar's Gibby in slope-shoulders and all certainly "sounds" like a nod to the past ...to my pea brain anyway. 

FWIW, I love my DN shorty for all its combined attributes, so not at all trying to make an A-B comparison as much as simply wondering why a SS in a larger-bodied guitar is desired.  Perhaps the simplest reason is that folks find them easier to fret and I'm just over-analyzing it

Edward

[M19]

I won't have any perception for 5 weeks or so...

All mahogany 12 fret short scale BTO GC on order!

[Edward]

Nice addition, Marty!
...btw, nice avatar pic

Edward

[M19]

...btw, nice avatar pic

Edward

Really! Any idea where it came from?

They say that self-praise is the most reliable!

[andyi5]

My two acoustics right now - a GC3 and a Seagull SWS Mini-JUmbo - are both short(er) scale. While I didn't exactly choose them for this reason, I think the short scale formed part of a package that made them attractive enough to want to buy. The Taylor GC is possibly the best feeling guitar on the lap I've ever played, and I think the shorter scale is part of that great feel.

Fully agree. Just got the GC3 recently and really happy with having such a high quality guitar that I can sit on the couch with easily. The shorter scale length and the nice wide nut make it extremely playable, and the tone is very warm and intimate.

[cigarfan]

...btw, nice avatar pic

Edward

Really! Any idea where it came from?

They say that self-praise is the most reliable!

OK Marty ... you and Edward have something you want to let the rest of us in on?

[cjd-player]

I play almost exclusively solo fingerstyle. When switching between regular and short scale guitars I do not notice a large difference immediately.  The fret spacing difference is only about one fret width at the lower frets, and the string tension is not tremendously different.  I do notice an advantage when playing in DADGAD or Orkney tuning where there are many more four-fret stretches.

The big difference for me, and the reason I've sold off most of my regular scale guitars, is that I can play longer without fatigue.  A few years ago I noticed that after playing for about 30 or 40 minutes my left hand was becoming tired and stiff. That started me on the investigation of short scale guitars.  For me, the lower string tension and slightly closer fret spacing adds up over extended playing time.  On my short scale guitars I can now play for hours with no fatigue.

I'm now scheming to figure out how to get a short scale neck on my 814 limited.

[jalbert]

I have both short- and long-scale Taylors. I definitely notice the difference, both in the lesser amount of string tension, as well as the narrower space between the frets.

[M19]

...btw, nice avatar pic

Edward

Really! Any idea where it came from?

They say that self-praise is the most reliable!

OK Marty ... you and Edward have something you want to let the rest of us in on?

I bought the 655ce from Ed 2-1/2 years ago, and that pic is one he took and posted in his For Sale thread on the AGF. 

[cigarfan]

Figured it was something like that. Thanks for sharing.