How about a standard offering short scale X20?

[new2guitar_eh]

Originally Posted by casualmusic

Not sure why Emerald would make this a free option when so many of their customers (not me) are willing to pay the up-charge?

I think more people would consider a short scale Emerald if it became a standard option. While some are willing to pay the custom charge, it is pretty steep (here in Canada comes out to about $1K in Canadian dollars). I for one would put in an X20 order if that cost were off the table. I am guessing a number of others would be in the same boat.

Casual has a point. However, I think that short scales have come into their own and maybe should become a common standard. New strings with harder tensions make it possible to shorten scales without losing any power. As I've recently discovered with several Baritone Ukes tuned e-e a 20" scale with high tension nylon strings works just fine. It's a wonderment. And unless you've pretty long arms the short scales are easier to play.

[ceciltguitar]

Interesting. Within the past two weeks I’ve corresponded with Emerald suggesting a short scale standard option for the Kestrel, to match Gibson’s arch top scale length of 628 mm, which has been a popular best seller for six or seven decades now.

Hummm. I don't see scale length as one of the options in Emerald's new make-your-own design protocol. Maybe there's still custom options at custom prices??

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by EvanB

Hummm. I don't see scale length as one of the options in Emerald's new make-your-own design protocol. Maybe there's still custom options at custom prices??

Yes, that’s one of the things that can be negotiated, even though it’s not in the Builder. If I recall correctly, neck width and fan frets were also on the list.

[seannx]

Originally Posted by EvanB

Hummm. I don't see scale length as one of the options in Emerald's new make-your-own design protocol. Maybe there's still custom options at custom prices??

I ordered mine in late January before they started the 3D builder. The cost of the custom 24.875" scale was $550, for a guitar that started at $2250.

A custom instrument at a custom price. The good news is that the custom orders might well gain in value over time as rarities and goodies.

[new2guitar_eh]

Given Emerald's stated desire to move to more standard offerings, establishing a short scale X20 would help them with managing their product line while providing the customer base with another option.

C'mon Emerald, a standard offering short scale X20

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by new2guitar_eh

Given Emerald's stated desire to move to more standard offerings, establishing a short scale X20 would help them with managing their product line while providing the customer base with another option.

C'mon Emerald, a standard offering short scale X20

Now, what scale should they choose? 24”? 24.5”? 24.75”? 24.9”? Or a PRS-like 25”?

For those to whom eighths or sixteenths of an inch matter, at least 3 of these will be ‘wrong’

[new2guitar_eh]

And the definitive answer is 24.9"...ok, maybe not do definitive