Anyone with any experience or opinions on the differences in the Shorter Scale Guitars such as the LSV-11. At 49 yrs my lil old hand doesn't seem to like me as much as it used to, half the time I find I can't play as long as I would like cause my fingers are toast. Does that 3/4 inch length diff really have much effect. And how bout the other effects such as the tone and other dynamics.....etc etc.....
It affects everything you mention, but you will certainly notice that 3/4 inch makes the guitar feel different while you are playing. You might call it easier, either way I like it.
Test it out on a new Gibson J-45 at your local shop. There's always one on the wall at the GC around here.
E. Shoaf
playing a 25 1/2" scale with a capo on the first fret can simulate the "stretch" factor change in a shorter scale if you want to see if the fatigue level improves. Won't sound as good, but that's a different question.
Having had the short(er)scale LSV-11E since the beginning of April, I think I can speak to the question. I was also looking for an alternative to the regular scale length ever since I heard Doyle Dykes say that his Taylor short scale model solved his tendonitis problem. I was also looking for a cutaway and a guitar with electronics built in. Everything came together in the LSV-11, IMHO. I've documented the use of the guitar on a blog. Here is the link - let me know what you think. http://larrivee-lsv-11.blogspot.com/
Danijoe, since I love Martin Simpson, I was really keen to hear your version of his tune, but the link on your blog wouldn't open for me. :EM>
sparks, I've played 25 1/2 scale guitars all my life, and I've always found them exhausting (I have small fingers, hence the stubby monicker). I never could sustain my playing time more than an hour or two. About a year and a half ago, I bought a short scale guitar (24.88), and actually found it much easier to play and for longer periods. My playing improved dramatically. About 4 months ago, I bought a P-05 (24") and have barely put it down. I can do things on that guitar I never could with a 25.5. I've since bought a L-03R because I wanted a louder voiced strumming guitar as well, and although I love that guitar, it's the same issue: playing fatigue (although not as bad as once was). I think string tension has a lot to do with it as well.
I'll tell you, when Larrivee comes out with short scale L's or OM's, I'll be all over them like stink on a monkey.
Quote from: sixpickn on April 25, 2006, 03:50:40 PM
playing a 25 1/2" scale with a capo on the first fret can simulate the "stretch" factor change in a shorter scale if you want to see if the fatigue level improves. Won't sound as good, but that's a different question.
Probably, but as Stubby notes, the change in string tension makes a real difference, and will NOT be approximated by this capo experiment.
I find this interesting, by the way. There are string tension calculators on the web, or you can figure it out yourself if you're smarter than I am, and it turns out that the calculated difference is NOT that great. A 24.9 inch scale length has something like 95% or more of the tension of the 25.5 inch scale length. Personally I would not have thought this small a change in tension would make a big difference, but it does.
Another thing I've learned fooling around with these calculators: Tuning the whole guitar down by just one half-step creates a bigger change in the string tension than moving to a 24.9 inch scale length.
Another suggestion for when you're at the Guitar Center -- Martin 000 guitars, numbered at least 18 (so, 000-18 or 000-28 etc. all would apply here, but not the 000-16) will have the short scale length. More opportunities to see if this is for you.
--Lee
Know what Doc.. at first glance when I read the capo idea I wondered if it would really work. It would sure be a way to shorten the nut to saddle length but then there is still a problem with the tuning of the guitar. After reading your post it occurs to me that if I combine both ideas.... yours of tuning the guitar down a half step then sixpickn's idea of capo'ing up.... Hmmm maybe that would work. Thanks danijoe for the link to your blog.. I got more info there about the LSV-11 than Ive seen anywhere.. including the Larrivee web site. I will be checking to hear the sound when you get the link to the sample fixed. BTW.. nice occupation in your bio section..."Leisure Time Analyst".... Are there any openings at your place of employment cause I'm certainly qualified... =)
I think the capo on the 1st fret would give you a fair idea if you tuned down 1/2 step first.
The difference in string tension and distance between frets is pretty noticeable to me ... it feels lighter. However, if you're using light gauge strings and a pick with long scale, I find mediums are really more playable with short scale. If you're doing bare finger plucking they'll work fine ... you're not playing very hard that way. But I just can't dig in well with pick on a short scale with lights. The b and low E go off key too easily and you don't have as good dynamic range. I don't play that hard either and I use a light pick. So you're not gaining 100% that way but being able to dig in a lot better makes mediums way more playable on a short scale.
Tone? That's a bit subjective but there are differences. A short scale is sweeter ... the chords blend together nicely ... but you don't have as much prescence or punch either. Both are nice but a long scale will tend to work better in a group. N.B. this assumes all else is equal and it often isn't.
Quote from: DrLeeDetroit on April 26, 2006, 09:41:32 AM
Tuning the whole guitar down by just one half-step creates a bigger change in the string tension than moving to a 24.9 inch scale length.
--Lee
which also gives life to aging vocal chords :mellow:
My Martin 000-28 Norman Blake is short scale, but I don't really seem to notice all that much difference in playability between it and my other longer scale stuff. The wider (1&13/16") neck gets my attention more than the scaling. I don't know, I just try to adapt to what ever I've got a hold of. :mellow: