Scale Lengths, etc.

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Scale Lengths, etc.

This group is designed as a resource for all things related to scale lengths, string gauges, etc.

Members: 250
Latest Activity: Feb 7, 2022

Discussion Forum

Fret template

Started by Randy Drysdale. Last reply by Tim Pannabecker Jan 28, 2019. 6 Replies

I was reading where people on here would take the measurements off of stewmac and input them into their program and printout a template to tape or transfer their pattern to the fret board....anyway…Continue

String gauge for 20" - GDG

Started by jawbone. Last reply by Uncle Fred Sep 22, 2014. 7 Replies

Hey all!! Just found this area!!!I have built a 20" scale CBG for my grandson - I want to tune it GDG, that same as what I play. What gauge strings should I be using? I tried 36, 26 and 17 but it…Continue

Cura saz scale length

Started by Cin wel. Last reply by Cin wel May 25, 2013. 4 Replies

Im going to build a cura saz cbg and Im wondering if anyone has input? I'm thinking 18 in.scale length ,14 frets plus quarter tones..for fret spacing.. Any ideas?

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Comment by PapaSimone on December 12, 2010 at 1:56pm
This is exactly the advice I needed! Thanks so much. You guys rock!
Comment by Alan Roberts on December 12, 2010 at 12:14pm

I will NEVER get used to the metric system. But when it comes to building instruments, I keep a metric ruler at hand. How to divide 11 5/8" by three? GAAAH!

Scale length is one of those areas I just put the yardstick down and go for mm's.

Comment by Ben on December 12, 2010 at 10:30am

I also use Stewmac but change the settings so that it gives you the measurement in milimeters instead of inches. Then use a meter stick (I've got one of those yellow metal ones). Put the "0" where you want your nut to be, then clamp it to your neck. Now you can use a pencil to mark each fret. There will still be some estimation, 233.4mm for example, just try to make the mark between 233 and 234 and it will be more than close enough. After I've marked them all out, I go back with a T-square and mark a line straight across to help with cutting the fret slots. I know other guys on here will tell you to print out a template from a program they like. That works just fine too.

Comment by PapaSimone on December 12, 2010 at 10:11am
Hi all,
I'm hoping to get some help. I am building a ukuele and have gotten a fret scale from Steward-MacDonald. The fret locations are very exact to 3 decimal places. (example fret 10 is 6.143 ") Any advice for a special ruler or way of nailing the exact location of the fret placement?
Comment by Zandi Z on October 25, 2010 at 10:14pm
quick guide for acoustic-electric string gauges.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/womensgroup/forum/topics/quick-...
Comment by Ben on April 12, 2010 at 4:24am
No problem you're good...As Einstein said about scale length (or something like that)...it's all relative.
Comment by Shawn on April 12, 2010 at 3:55am
Thanks Ben for clearing this up
Have read on here some post saying that it does and thought to myself wait what this was not mentioned in my school did I fall asleep. Thanks I thought I was losing it.
Comment by Ben on April 12, 2010 at 3:07am
No. Scale length is strictly the distance between two points on a string. When talking about the scale length of an instrument, you're talking about the distance between the nut and the bridge (but if you capo your instrument then you're giving it a different scale length - from where the string "starts" at the fret to the bridge). The thickness of the peghead doesn't matter as long as your tuners give enough clearance to get a string on them and you want the string to come down at enough of an angle to the tuner post so that you don't get buzz on the nut. Other than that, not to much matters. You could even in theory, have a peghead that was 1 foot long (if you had strings that would make the length) as long as the angle was enough to keep from buzzing.
Comment by Shawn on April 11, 2010 at 6:07pm
Does peghead thickness affect scale length? I know nut to bridge is scale length but does the headstock come into play at all?
Comment by Chuck Dubman on March 27, 2010 at 6:52pm
Try this for more precision than you'll ever need. Set Windows Calculator to scientific view. Enter keystrokes 2 [inv] [x^y] 12 [=] [M+]. That stores the value of the 12th root of 2, calculated to something like 25 decimal places' accuracy.

Enter your scale length, then [/] [MR] [=]. That gives you the distance between the bridge and the first fret. Hitting [=] again gives you the 2nd fret. Repeat to calculate the remaining frets. It doesn't get easier.

Test with a 20" scale. Note how the long irrational string suddenly truncates to 10" when you hit the 12th [=] stroke. That proves the method's accuracy.

For fun, substitute 5 for 12 in the first step to calculate the 5th root of 2 and run some test scales.
 

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Discussion Forum

Fret template

Started by Randy Drysdale. Last reply by Tim Pannabecker Jan 28, 2019. 6 Replies

String gauge for 20" - GDG

Started by jawbone. Last reply by Uncle Fred Sep 22, 2014. 7 Replies

Cura saz scale length

Started by Cin wel. Last reply by Cin wel May 25, 2013. 4 Replies

fretfind

Started by Mike Sibinga. Last reply by wormil Jan 12, 2013. 3 Replies

Fret marking method

Started by Jillian Holladay. Last reply by wormil Jun 3, 2012. 2 Replies

Reverse calculations

Started by Martyn Hartley. Last reply by Martyn Hartley Apr 22, 2012. 2 Replies

Fret placement and stretch compensation - by Glenn Reither

Started by Penny Nelson. Last reply by Penny Nelson Apr 17, 2012. 4 Replies

Question on Scale Length

Started by Waid Jones. Last reply by Steve wootten Apr 16, 2012. 2 Replies

Scale length vs tuning note

Started by Matt Quinney. Last reply by Rand Moore Jul 16, 2011. 3 Replies

ukulele fret measurement

Started by ukeplayer. Last reply by Steve Pollack Mar 20, 2011. 6 Replies

String FAQ - let's get it going!

Started by Mama Mojo. Last reply by Mark Mercer Jan 26, 2011. 6 Replies

neck widths

Started by Bob Young. Last reply by Chuck Dubman Jan 23, 2011. 2 Replies

3 string guitar string gauges

Started by Bob Young. Last reply by DrByte Jul 22, 2010. 3 Replies

New things you can do with a guitar fret template

Started by Alan Roberts. Last reply by Chuck Dubman Mar 27, 2010. 5 Replies

longer box, shorter neck?

Started by Peter Taylor. Last reply by Pineee Johnny Feb 25, 2010. 3 Replies

violin Tailpiece??

Started by Penny Nelson. Last reply by Wichita Sam Jan 3, 2010. 1 Reply

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