Are smaller acoustic guitars easier to play?
Reduced-scale guitars feel better because of the smaller neck, but also because the body is smaller. So if you pick up a 3/4 size guitar or a travel guitar and think it’s perfect for your small hands, the chances are it’s just the size of the body that makes it feel more comfortable.
How does scale length affect guitar sound?
The greater spacing of harmonics on strings that span a longer scale gives an impression of greater chime and shimmer, and yields a tighter low E. Alternately, strings on a shorter scale instrument yield more closely packed harmonics and increase warmth, thickness, and “fur” in the tone.
Are short scale guitars good?
Short scale guitars are that bit smaller than full size guitars, making them more comfortable to play. But it’s not only about comfort – their size brings with it a whole different tone.
Do short scale guitars have higher action?
A short scale guitar will need higher action when using light strings or else the strings will buzz. You can achieve low action with a short scale guitar, but it requires you to move to heavier gauge strings.
Is an expensive acoustic guitar easier to play?
Not necessarily. The setup on a guitar — how high the strings are from the frets, etc. — mainly determines how easy the guitar is to play. More expensive guitars are often setup better, but if there’s nothing wrong with it, even an inexpensive guitar can usually be setup to be comfortable to play.
Do shorter scale acoustic guitars sound better?
Shorter scale acoustic guitars, tend to sound more compressed and warmer (again, all things being equal) with more of the mid-range frequencies being present. However, due to the decreased tension of the strings, short scale guitars are typically less responsive. Keep in mind, tone is almost always affected by playability.
Why do guitar scales have different lengths?
Guitar designers often adjust scale length to optimize an instrument for a particular purpose—for example, jazz archtops with pickups often have shorter scales, which yield thicker, warmer sounding trebles and warm basses with a smooth attack.
How much does the length of a guitar string affect tension?
Therefore, a three-percent change in scale length can result in a six-percent change in tension. By comparison, a set of .011–.052 strings adds up to 148.6 pounds. The result is that the tension of .012s on the shorter scale will be very comparable to the .011s on the longer scale.
Do short scale guitars get string buzz?
Alternatively, a short scale guitar may be more affected by string buzz, particularly with regard to the strings buzzing the fret wires. Due to the lower action, the strings are closer to the frets, and in addition to this the strings are slacker on the neck.