Official Luthiers Forum!

I have noticed that some builders will build 000 12 frets with short scale and some with long... Long scale (25.4) would likely be condusive to drop tunings.

For builders of 000 12 fretters, do you like short scale (24.9) or 25.4?

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

We do them in 24.625, 25, 25 1/4, and 25.5. Whatever the customer wants.

Stock is 25"...

I haven't built to many, but I have always use 24.9.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I have built both 25.4 and 24.9. Often I do short scale with Medium strings. I recommend standard scale (or longer) if the customer is going to be using the guitar mostly in drop tunings.

I should also add that I build most of my 000 as 13 fret guitars, but also do them as 12.

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

I have done both and the 25.4 guitars are my favorite as I use lowered tunings. I did a modern 12 fret with paddle headstock, armrest bevel and sound port at 25.4 and it did not stay with me very long.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

In case you haven't already seen this - some discussion about the Santa Cruz H-13 which uses a long 25.4" scale.

http://www.lutherie.net/model_h.html

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

25.4 scale gives you more power and bass. I like this especially if you are adding an extra 1/4" to the depth.
24.9 sounds sweeter and feels more intimate to me. Had one that felt and played like a 00 in my lap which I attributed to the shorter scale and a narrower, shorter peg head.
When I had to decide I kept the longer scale. Dropped tunings, DADGAD & drop D, worked well on both, scale was not an issue.

Should the intended depth of body be factored into which scale you use?

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Pretty sure Martin Vintage 000 12 fret guitars were 25.4, and the 0 and 00 were 24.9. Here is a ton of info on a 1928 000, along with measurements, specs, etc:
http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/topic/142111/2030s-12-fret-00028-Specs?page=1#.VFEzIod4mS0

Glenn

Glenn,
The 000 12 fret style I was referring to is like Lance's in the post above (with the elongated body). I have been posting about this style lately because I'm planning to build one and trying to decide whether to make it short or long scale and deep body or standard depth. I'm kinda fishin' for builders' preferences. This would be number 11 and I haven't built one before. No customer... unless someone has to have it and makes an offer. I'm also trying to decide if I want do a venetian cutaway to allow for better reach up the neck... It would also be my first slot head. I'm looking forward to it. Part of the excitement is talking about it...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Understood - that was what I was talking about, 12 fret with elongated bodies. I believe the late 1920's Martin 000's were 25.4. The link i sent was for a vintage 12 fret 000 Martin - a lot of excellent info.

Glenn