Do you prefer short (Les Paul) or standard (Strat) scale length?

[Dru Edwards]

Hey everyone. Do you prefer electric guitars with a short scale length (24.75", i.e. Les Paul) or a standard scale length (25.5", i.e. Strat)? Of course there's the PRS scale at 25" as well.

So, do you have a preference?

[zabdart]

I think you can get used to anything. I have both a Les Paul and a Telecaster, which as you know, produce very different characteristic sounds. So when I want a sweet, thick, buttery sound, I go for the Les Paul. When I want a sharp, metallic, twangy sound, I play my Telecaster.
I find my Telecaster neck to be probably the most comfortable guitar neck I've ever played... but that's got nothing to do with the scale length. I have small hands with short fingers and the Telecaster neck from 1970 (C-profile, 7.25 inch fretboard radius) fits my hands perfectly.
Fender necks evolved over the years from U-shaped to V-shaped (boat necks) to a C-profile anyway, so which Fender neck are you talking about? I think the shape of the neck, the distance across the nut and the fretboard radius have a lot more to do with how comfortable the neck is to a player than the scale length. Like I said at the top, you can adapt, as long as the neck and the action are playable.

[Bob Womack]

I can and do play either but Gibson scale is home.

Bob

[WannabeWillie]

I kind of like having one of each.

[clintj]

I love the slinky feel and flatter fretboard of a Gibson (or Epiphone).

[scottishrogue]

Originally Posted by WannabeWillie

I kind of like having one of each.

That works for me, too! But, I also like my Martin 000C Nylon hybrid with an even longer scale...26.5!

Glen

[noledog]

Love 'em and owned 'em both, but mostly played my own modified G-Pauls.

[mikealpine]

Think I am most at home on the PRS or LP scale. I have a terrific Strat, though. Ok...I can get comfy on either.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

I can and do play either but Gibson scale is home.

Bob

I hear ya Bob, same with me. I can play some licks a little easier on the short scale.

Originally Posted by noledog

Love 'em and owned 'em both, but mostly played my own modified G-Pauls.

Hey Noledog, when you say modified, you're talking just about pickups, right? Or did you add some custom garnet and gold colors?

[Garthman]

Originally Posted by zabdart

I think you can get used to anything. . . .


. . . . Like I said at the top, you can adapt, as long as the neck and the action are playable.

Absolutely - no more to be said.

[noledog]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Hey Noledog, when you say modified, you're talking just about pickups, right? Or did you add some custom garnet and gold colors?

I like your thinkin' Dru! ...when I modified I not only did pu's but rewired them; some with coil taps others with different pots. I also replaced hardware, especially the bridge. Schecter used to make a killer replacement bridge for the LP. I used Mighty Mite parts too. Nothing has ever remained stock with me...from guitars to cars; gotta have the nole signature ya know! I even got an old PAF out of an old SG, painted it red (garnett ) and installed it in the front of my Ibanez sky blu shred machine! It looked and sounded awesome!

[The Old Gaffer]

Fender guitars have never felt comfortable to me. I prefer the Gibson-scale.

[RevGeo]

I've played both for a l-o-o-ng time. I've always considered myself a Strat guy, but recently got an Epiphone Casino and am loving the ease of playing. I still prefer the response and tone of my old Strat with the 7 1/4" radius, but my 60 year old hands appreciate the ease of fingering on the shorter Epi scale, especially on four hour club gigs.
There's an old saying - 'You have to work at your Fender, but it's worth it'. This is a true statement, but after playing almost 50 years I'm willing to give up a bit of tone and snap for ease of fingering.

Rev George

[muscmp]

it depends upon the music i'll be doing but i don't really have a preference. as long as it is an electric song i'll usually figure out a way to throw in a strat or tele and, a les paul or other gibson guitar.

play music!

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by muscmp

it depends upon the music i'll be doing but i don't really have a preference. as long as it is an electric song i'll usually figure out a way to throw in a strat or tele and, a les paul or other gibson guitar.

play music!

Yep, it does depend upon the tone you're trying to achieve. Always nice to have the option to switch between the Fender and Gibson worlds.