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22.5" vs. 24.5" scale length and string guages
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The Steel Guitar Forum
Pedal Steel Archive
22.5" vs. 24.5" scale length and string guages
(Page 2)
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| This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Pedal Steel |
| Author | Topic: 22.5" vs. 24.5" scale length and string guages |
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Cliff Swanson Member Posts: 345 |
posted 13 November 1999 04:27 AM
I'm not terribly hung up on this, but just as a matter of pointy-headed academic inquiry... I've heard people talk about string breakage in long scale (eg. 26" Stringmasters) instruments because of the tension to which the strings are stretched at a given pitch, relative to the tension at the same pitch on a shorter scale instrument. I have to say it's not intuitively apparent to me why a shorter scale length results in less tension on a string tuned to the same pitch as a longer scale. For example, if I tune an 015 string to E on a 24.5" scale length guitar, won't that string have to be stretched to more tension to achieve the same pitch on a shorter scale instrument? Another question related to this is then, are the recommended string guages for given pitches different for short vs. longer scale instruments? Any opinions/thoughts appreciated. Cat |
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Earnest Bovine Member Posts: 4687 |
posted 13 November 1999 10:58 AM
quote: No, a shorter sting of the same diameter would need less tension to produce the same pitch. Pick your E string on your 24.5" scale steel. |
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Bill Stafford Member Posts: 1347 |
posted 13 November 1999 04:49 PM
Increased string tension is the exact reason I went to 25 and now my new guitar has a 25 1/2" and I use the standard E9 gages. By eliminating the string length from the roller nut to the guitar keys with the keyless units, we are now able to use the longer string length. Being longer, it takes more tension to bring them up to pitch. The strings are actually shorter on my 25 1/2" scale than on the standard guitars with the tuning gears. To me, the notes are cleaner, brighter and sustain more.IMHO. BS and thats no BS. |
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Cliff Swanson Member Posts: 345 |
posted 13 November 1999 05:31 PM
Thanks guys... Earnest...Your explanation gives me new insight to this issue, thanks. If a short scale instrument doesn't sustain as well as a longer scale, might some of the sustain difference be neutralized by using lighter guage strings stretched to greater tension at pitch on the short scale instrument? I know that lighter strings don't have the sonic "body" of heavier, I'm just wondering about this. Cat |
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Michael Johnstone Member Posts: 2535 |
posted 14 November 1999 11:59 AM
The reason strings on longer scale guitars will ALWAYS ring longer than on shorter scale guitars is the freely vibrating,unsupported mass of the strings.More length = more mass.More mass in motion will STAY in motion (sustain)longer-through enertia,than less mass.Loosening the tension will not increase the mass/weight of a string-and loosen it to below the optimum tension for its guage and you will only screw up its harmonic nodes.And if you go to a lighter guage string,that will actually REDUCE the mass/weight of the string.Some-but not all-of these physics goes out the window,by the way,as soon as you put your bar down on the strings,effectively giving you a VERY short scale guitar. -MJ- |
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