The scale length of a guitar is always twice the length from the front of the nut or zero fret to the 12th fret. If the scale length is multiscale, then this number must be no greater than the total number of strings. Scale length is defined as the distance from the nut to the saddle on the first, or high e string. However, you rarely hear a guitar player mention scale length, and scale length has a significant impact on both playability and tone. How to measure scale length on a guitar to measure the scale length of a guitar, you simply measure the distance from the edge of the nut to the center of the 12th fret and multiply that measurement by two. Using this calculator you specify the scale length for the other strings, then if you specify the fret number as, say, 2 it will return the offset from the nut of a fret placed two fret positions behind the nut. Longer scale lengths give more room for your fingers and allow more space for the pickups and extra frets. The scale length of a guitar has a large impact on the sound and feel of the guitar. Enter the scale length in millimeters if you need millimeters.
Fretfind2d is a two dimensional fretboard design tool. Fret scale and fingerboard length calculator luthiers. Scale lengths vary depending on overall size of the instrument. Contribute to gajewsk2stringulator development by creating an account on github.
Is it possible to make a 27 scale guitar from a 30 scale bass fretboard by just cutting off at the first fret making where the first was the nut placement for a 27 scale guitar. The scale length of the guitar is one subject that can be very controversial. Kiesel guitars carvin guitars products kiesel guitars carvin guitars. Here is a list of some online fret placement calculators i have found either useful or interesting. This will also provide you with nuttofret and frettofret dimensions. The scale length or distance measured from the nut to the saddle. I know this may sound stupid, but how do i calculate scale length. Measure fret spacingprintable fret template handmade. Any instrument can have any design, but is the scale lengths that.
How scale length affects tone fender one of the most common scale lengths is the fender 2512 guitar scale. Its easy to understand once you know but its also a bit of a confusing way to do it so if you dont know it would be hard to figure it out for yourself. For a new calculation hit the reload button of your browser. Cigar box guitars, or cbgs, have been made in the u. Electric ukulele land has a powerful tool to help make fretboards. After winzip has extracted all the setup files, go to that folder and run the setup. Calculator results show angles over a range of frets to give you an idea of slantability up and down the neck. It impacts both how a guitar feels in the hands of the player as well as how the strings themselves feel when played. Since scale length helps determine where the bridge will rest in relation to the placement of the x brace, scale length really can change a guitars tone quite a bit. This fret calculator works really well although scale lengths are often measured. When the scale length is correct, the high e string should be intonated properly.
Im looking for a guitar that has a 27 scale length yeah im a giant, my arm length from middle finger to middle finger is 64. Now you can easily generate fret positions automagicaly. Also the longer scale seemed to make for a fuller tone. It models the entire fretboard, strings and frets, as a system of line segments on a two dimensional plane. Enter the scale length and number of frets and fret specs pro will output the measurements for fret spacing, fret to fret, nut to fret and fret to bridge measurements are calculated. People without enough money for proper instruments have historically made cbgs from cigar boxes, along with other make shift materials that could be found or purchased inexpensively. For example, a 34 size steel string guitar might have a scale length of 23 inches 580 mm. The strings feel tighter and sound brighter more twangy. By using this tool, you can determine the length fingerboard you should purchase. The scale length of an instrument is the distance from the nut to the bridge. The calculator uses the following to determine the angles. However, on the excel, jerry byrd, model console guitars, the scale length is an even 22. Imagine you took a strat in standard tuning and capod it at the first fret. Since scale length affects string tension it also affects the suitability of certain guitars for certain styles of play.
Selecting your instrument also calculates the bridge position for proper intonation. It doesnt print a template but will give distances in inches or mm, its more precise to choose mm. Regarding playability, a shorter scale length allows more compact fingering and favors shorter fingers and handspan. Guitars of every kind at guitar gallery in nashville, tn. We find that using a short scale will most often make a guitars tone softer and warmer. Any help, info or advice would be greatly appreciated. Measurements calculated in both imperial and metric. Guitar scale lengths are usually between 24 and 26. Adjust the start fret option to further highlight a finger pattern for playing the selected scale in a different position on the fretboard. The actual length of the scale is the measured length between the backside of the nut or from the center of the zero fret, if there is one installed to the center of the saddle midway between the 3rd and 4th strings. Desired octave is a number which describes which octave the note is in. Scale length and fret positions the scale length has an affect on the tone and feel of the guitar.
The scale length of an electric guitar affects both its playability and its tone. This calculator uses a style of notation which is variously. Jerry byrd has stated that 22 12 is the ideal scale length for a steel guitar. Because of this approach, it can design fretboards for instruments with multiple scale lengths and nonparallel frets as well as. Here we take a look at what a guitar scale length is, how it affects tone, tension, and playability, and learn a little about the history of the fanned fretboard. If you want fret distances in inches enter your scale length in inches. Is optimum scale length dependent on where your interests lie.
If these had the endorsement of jerry byrd, why didnt they use the 22 12 scale as prefered by jerry. A piano, however, has different scale lengths to make it easier to cover a greater range of pitches. Making metal wormgeared tuning pegs is a bit beyond my skill set. Measuring the distance from the nut to the saddles is not. Jguitars scale calculator will draw scale diagrams showing the fretboard with notes in the selected scale highlighted. The scale length of an instrument is the distance between the edge of the nut and the nominal bridge saddle position. I saw on utube building diddley hows and i am excited to learn and play. Found on stratocasters, telecasters, and the huge variety of instruments inspired by them as well as the replacement, and custom parts available for them. The tuning pegs were purchased online from a well known auction site. Please note, the fret calculator will not convert scale lengths, you can use our measurement converter to convert your scale length.
Measuring the scale length of jackson soloist note. I would say the only 1 rule that would be a constant is whatever scale length you come up with. Fret specs pro is a fret calculator for the stringed instrument craftsman and luthier. You can also calculate map scale, distance on map and distance in real life on map scale calculator page. This fret scale and fingerboard length calculator can be used to calculate fret scale and fingerboard length. Hi rphilp, i used the stewmacdotcom fret calculator, put in the scale length, set it to dulcimer and pressed calculate to get a list of measurements. The capo acts moreorless like a new nut, shortening the effective scale length of the strings to roughly that of a les paul. Guitar makers will find this program very handy for custom scale length guitars. Fret calculator guitar building books and guitar making. The 2512 produces a rich, strong, belllike tone, and defined lowend. Some common guitar scales expressed in inches and millimetres.
How to calculate fret spacing on a cigar box guitar. The shorter scale also makes the guitar feel easier to play due to less string. The scale length the distance from the bridge to the nut the nut width the distance between the top and bottom string at the nut. There are a few online fret calculators that will give you the fret spacing for any given scale length. I have stumbled upon another fret calculator and i tend to like this one a little better because frankly.
Simply enter the the number of frets and the scale length in millimetres then press the calculate button for an instant result. Select based on if you entered a scale length of inches or millimeters. If you know your scale in millimeters you have to convert to decimal inches. The scale length in decimal inches is the only thing that needs input from the user. Whats the difference between longscale and shortscale guitars, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each. The long and short of it scale length has a substantial influence on a guitars properties. The scale length is a major determinant for the pitch range of the instrument. Fretted instrument bridge saddle compensation calculator. Fret calculator choose from two different calculators. You might have seen the term scale length when looking at guitar specs and wondered what is scale length on a guitar. For example, a violin has a shorter scale length than a viola. If you find this utility useful, please link your site to this page. Bass scale lengths generally stay between 30 to 36. The stewmac fret calculator can give you fret measurements for many different instruments.
For an explanation of the gibson scale length changes over the years see note. Excel spreadsheet for calculating up to 36 frets derived from a single scale length. Installation instructions how to install guitar calculator. Mostly handmade, acoustic guitars, by individual luthiers of the highest caliber.
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