Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tom T on October 18, 2015 at 11:54am

I guess it would depend on what you mean by "kids". If they are pretty young (5~8) then the scale may not be too important. Just having something to make sounds with may be enough. For young players (under 12) I've used a 20" scale and a slider design. That is short enough that they can hit all the note marks but long enough to have decent tone. You may need to tune an octave higher than normal with the short scale. I've used G3-D4-G4 and it sounds very good.

Regardless of the scale you use, they will love getting something as cool as a custom made guitar. Be ready to teach some tunes as soon as they get it.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by doggylv . on October 19, 2015 at 2:40am

Hey Tom, thanks for the info, I guess by asking about the scale length, I was trying to determine out how long the neck should be for kids.

Teach some tunes? Heck I can't even play.....

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tom T on October 19, 2015 at 6:31am

If you use something like a 20" scale and a box size that looks proportional, then the overall size of the guitar will be small enough for most kids. It's not that critical when all is said and done.

Now, you had better start working on playing. The kids will expect you to show them how.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Christopher Dudley on October 21, 2015 at 1:23am

I'm not so sure I would use a smaller scale length than any other CBG really, given that the whole instrument is smaller than a regular guitar to begin with.  What I might do is use a diatonic scale like on a dulcimer, that way it gets rid of the notes that sound weird.  Oh, and you also could string it three string tuned to standard guitar tuning like the Loog guitar.  That is what I am going to do for the one I am making my wife.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on October 19, 2015 at 6:37am

If you think about adults, 24.5 -25.5" scales are common. Kids' arms and bodies are shorter, sooo...anywhere from 17-20" is good for kids aged 4-12. Most ukuleles, btw, fall into that range. You can build a 20" diddley bow or canjo that can provide hours of exploration and fun.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by doggylv . on October 20, 2015 at 1:28am

Thanks Oily, my diddley bows aren't sounding "right" for some reason.

• ▶ Reply