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So, I'm drawing up final plans for the parlour I'm building (have the outline, working on the exact profile and, in particular, bracing pattern, which I may post at a later point in time). I'm calling this a parlor, although I'm not sure it's quite small enough (IIRC 13" wide lower bout, possibly 13.5"; don't have the plans handy, and it's been a while since I drew the various shapes), but what the heck.

The question is: what do you guys think is a good scale length for a parlour guitar. The story: I'm making this for a friend's daughter (and if she doesn't take to it, her boyfriend will play it, no probs) who's 9 years old, so I want something that's easy to play, but it's gotta sound good. It's going to have a fairly petite neck, pretty stand 12-fret-to-body with a solid headstock (to avoid stringing hassles/difficulties), and my original thought was to simply go with the 24" scale (take a 25.5" template and lose the first fret), which should result in a guitar that plays nice and easily with 12s or 13s (the strings that are in the house anyway).

It's going to be the Zootman's Cherry, Mystery Spruce (freebie, slightly wide grain, but very stiff) top, probably cocobolo trim with rope purfling, EIR fingerboard/headstock veneer/bridge, for those who care.

I am almost done with my first parlor guitar...Actually a Martin 0. I am using
a 24.9 scale length, because that is what my other steel string is. I like for
my personal playing. I have small hands.   It is also 12 frets to the body. As
far a design, I talked to John Hall at Blues Creek since he is so knowledgeble
about Martin Bracing. Based on those principles, scale length, X brace angle,
bridge position, the bracing was easy.
Neck 1 3/4 at nut. 4.25 depth at endblock

Hope this helps
Andy

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Mattia,

I've only built one and that was a copy of a 1910-1920's un-named American all mahogany "small" guitar with 13" lower bout width. That came with a scale length of 24.5" so that's what I used. It worked very well with lights (0.012"-0.053"). This is the original:

Dave White38783.5113310185

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

24.5"

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

i'm doing a parlor at the moment too mattia,

based on larrivee parlor, 13.75 lower bout, 1.750 nut, 24.9" scale (original is 24")

Right, looks like the 25"'s have it, pretty much (I ain't going to do a 24.5" when I've got perfectly good templates that take the guesswork out of fret layout for 24" and 25" scales; I'm making zero money on this one, so I'm not going to make unnecessary amounts of work for myself).

Thanks guys! Off to the drawing board for bracing and neck blank gluing upping.

Mattia,

That's not the attitude at all. I thought it was a guitar makers duty to spend time an lose money Dave White38784.2365162037

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

[QUOTE=Dave White] Mattia,

That's not the attitude at all. I thought it was a guitar makers duty to spend time an lose money [/QUOTE]

I've got plenty of other areas to do that on, fear not! I'm just chosing not to maximise either, walking the safe road of mediocrity in both time and foolish expenditure. Or, uh, something.

I like the extra length to drive that small box a little harder, so I vote for 25 inches

OOOOH fear not!, Monsieur White and Monsieur Valente! Nooo, fear not! Yoouu both are not alooone! Me, myself and i are also appreciative of the artisterie required to graciously make money papers fly out the windooooow! Soo Nooooooooh, Fear not!

I would use the 24" myself. I like short-scale guitars, they work well with medium strings. It seems to fit the shape better, too. It is a small guitar after all..One guitar I build has a 24.25 scale length and they play well.

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Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com

I started a similar post a month or so ago. I am planning on building a Martin O style and finally settled on a 24.9" scale (1-5/8" nut)for my 7-1/2 year old daughter. I was contemplating building a 24" scale (lop off the first fret on a 25.4" scale).

I was talked out of it my Hank Mauel and Mario -- Hank suggested using a capo till she grows into it.

My older daughter Keira has a Tony Karol built 24" scale spruce top/cherry sides/back parlor (about 12" lower bout). It works really well with medium gauge strings and has huge volume and great tone for such a tiny box.

Mattia -- both will work and work well!

Hmm...OK, this time, a 25" scale (which she can grow into). Next time (have another few sets of cherry, after all), a shorter scale.