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Ok....Im stumped on an appropriate scale length for this box

The box is 13.75''L X 10.50"W X 2.50"D

If I were to use a common 24.5" or 25.5" Scale length and placed the bride, say, a 1/3 (4.58") up from the tail end, it would give me an approx 16" - 17" (respectively) neck to the nut...right? seems like an awfully short neck for the size of this box. The overall proportions just dont seem right at those scale lengths. Is there another scale length i should consider?

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Permalink Reply by Roger Morin on April 21, 2010 at 4:10pm

You can put the bridge any where you want it, 1/3rd is just a reference. I have seen bridges right in the middle of the box with a 25 inch scale and it looked ok. I have a box almost the same size and yes it does look like the neck is to short. But remember if your playing slid or not most don't go below the 15th fret anyways.

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Permalink Reply by Tracy Kennedy on April 21, 2010 at 5:19pm

I suppose moving the bridge more towards the middle would allow me to to build some sort of fancy tailpiece.

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Permalink Reply by surffrogg on April 21, 2010 at 9:02pm

u could always go with a baritone or tenor scale y b ur not locked into just the standard choices

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Permalink Reply by jim on April 21, 2010 at 9:17pm

the trick is to , be the box

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Permalink Reply by Tracy Kennedy on April 22, 2010 at 2:00am

Yes, Zin Master, hehehe

jim said:

the trick is to , be the box

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Permalink Reply by Tracy Kennedy on April 22, 2010 at 2:43am

Baritone? Bass scale...30" + ?

surffrogg said:

u could always go with a baritone or tenor scale y b ur not locked into just the standard choices

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Permalink Reply by Bear on April 22, 2010 at 8:56am

No, it's not short. Don't forget the headstock, as far as overall proportions!

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Permalink Reply by Tracy Kennedy on April 22, 2010 at 9:14am

Im going to have to mock up different scale lengths to figure out wich direction to go with this build. I have two of these boxes. One may go for the double neck contest but Im too new at this for compitition, I think. I was also pondering a long neck reso / banjo, 5 string.....I know, Im off my rocker!

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Permalink Reply by surffrogg on April 22, 2010 at 10:13am

baritome is about 30 to 31 tenor i believe is 27 inch

Tracy Kennedy said:

Baritone? Bass scale...30" + ?

surffrogg said:
u could always go with a baritone or tenor scale y b ur not locked into just the standard choices

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Permalink Reply by Tracy Kennedy on April 22, 2010 at 1:05pm

Thanks

surffrogg said:

baritome is about 30 to 31 tenor i believe is 27 inch

Tracy Kennedy said:
Baritone? Bass scale...30" + ?

surffrogg said:
u could always go with a baritone or tenor scale y b ur not locked into just the standard choices

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tracy Kennedy on April 22, 2010 at 1:09pm

Ok well.... I was going to do baritone but, I miscut my last length of maple. Im not running out to get more then have to wait a few days to allow it to acclumate. Sooooo....25" scale it is!