Popular acoustics with short scale lengths.

[dtpolk]

Like the title says, what are some well known acoustics with shorter scale lengths? I have weaker hands, and discovered that it's easier for me to play shorter scale lengths, but I'm not really sure who makes what.

[RP]

I recently sold a newish Taylor 710 which has a short scale neck....

[drplayer]

Originally Posted by dtpolk

Like the title says, what are some well known acoustics with shorter scale lengths? I have weaker hands, and discovered that it's easier for me to play shorter scale lengths, but I'm not really sure who makes what.

There are tons of them. Gibson J-45 and any Martin 14-fret 000 (e.g. 000-28EC) for starters. But just about any maker has some model in a short-scale length, or if not, can build one for you.

[flatfinger]

Gibson - J-45 and variants, Hummingbird, J-185

[Tnfiddler]

My Bourgeois "Banjo Killer" Slope D custom is short-scale and it's FANTASTIC!!

[Mike Sylvia]

Your budget would be most helpful.

[rokdog49]

If I could afford one, a Martin 000-18. Dang!
Easy to play and tone +

[fazool]

Originally Posted by drplayer

...any Martin 14-fret 000 ...

That is not accurate.

[personatech]

How short is "short?" My Eastman E1OM has a 24.9" scale, but shorter scales can be found.

[Paddy1951]

Originally Posted by dtpolk

Like the title says, what are some well known acoustics with shorter scale lengths? I have weaker hands, and discovered that it's easier for me to play shorter scale lengths, but I'm not really sure who makes what.

The short scale guitars are easier to play, all things equal, IMO.

By necessity, I have sold a number of 25.4" scale guitars and replaced them with short scale models.

In a dreadnought, the Gibson J15, J 35, J 45 are traditional short scales.

Eastman makes some nice Gibson inspired short scale dreads.

A great relatively inexpensive short scale dread is the Seagull S6 Classic.

There are others as well.

In small bodied guitars, the Taylor "12 s" are short scale. They play very well. (312, 412, etc.)

Again, Eastman makes small body short scaled guitars that are very good.

One excellent inexpensive small body short scale model is the OT-22 , an Elderly Instruments exclusive.

There are many models and brands that are short scale.

You will need to research and play whatever guitars appeal to you.

[mercy]

almost any budget can buy a SS guitar. How are you going to play it will also narrow things down some, write songs, general strumming, band, fingerstyle etc

[Mr.Bill101]

Originally Posted by fazool

That is not accurate.

Hey Fazool, can you expand on why that is not accurate?

I was under the impression that if Martin made a 14 fret in the OM/000 body size with a short scale they called it a 000 and if it was long scale they called it an OM.
Maybe i just answered my own question. It wouldn't be true for any other Martin 14 fret body size.

[donlyn]

Most Taylor Grand Concerts are short scale at 24+7/8", including current builds. But not all are; some of the older ones are 25+1/2" scale.

edit> For example, my 412 is Taylor short scale, 24+7/8"; my 512 is Taylor standard scale, 25+1/2".

On the definition of short or standard scale, surprise. There are no standards.

My simple definition is <= 25" it is short scale. >25" it is standard scale. Many common "standard" scales come in at 24 to 25+1/2". This seems to work for what many manufacturers claim for their definitions of scale lengths.

caveat pendor

Don
.

[mercy]

-000's made in Mexico are long scale like OM's. American made are short scale like 000-18

[fazool]

Originally Posted by mercy

-000's made in Mexico are long scale like OM's. American made are short scale like 000-18

That is not accurate