MULTI-SCALE?
Tilting the Scales in Your Favor
Tilting the Scales in Your Favor
So, what's a multi-scale guitar?
You may be familiar with the standard Gibson ("short") and Fender ("long") scale lengths and the feel and sound you get from each. A multi-scale guitar can have the best of both worlds by blending a shorter scale length for the treble strings with a longer scale for the bass. The shorter scale on the treble side retains a familiar playability and finger reach feel. The longer scale on the bass side increases string tension and gives low strings a satisfying snap and fullness of tone.
This combination of short and long scales sounds great on a 6-string guitar or 4-string bass, but is particularly beneficial if you play in drop tunings or want to explore extended ranges with 7 or 8 strings on guitar or 5 or 6 on bass. On a standard-scale instrument, tuned-down or extra strings can feel floppy and exhibit serious intonation problems: on a multi-scale guitar, tension feels even across the fretboard and tuning is never compromised.
How does a multi-scale fretboard feel?
Most people who try my guitars comment that the "tilting" or splay of the frets is a lot less noticeable than they had anticipated. A 6-string guitar or 4-string bass fretboard will feel natural in minutes. The 7- and 8-string guitars and 5- and 6-string basses will require a couple small adjustments in your fretting hand since the scales are stretched a bit more: a slightly longer reach is required in the lower bass side positions, and high positions near the neck-body joint may need an extra eye for accuracy at first, as well.
Don't think too much about it! Playing a multi-scale instrument is mostly a visual adjustment. Your hand will quickly adapt, and I know you'll find that the benefits in improved tone and tension will outweigh any initial challenges. Remember, the scales are tilted in your favor, and once you play a multi-scale guitar, you may never want to go back!
But you don't have to take my word for it: see what these people had to say...
You may be familiar with the standard Gibson ("short") and Fender ("long") scale lengths and the feel and sound you get from each. A multi-scale guitar can have the best of both worlds by blending a shorter scale length for the treble strings with a longer scale for the bass. The shorter scale on the treble side retains a familiar playability and finger reach feel. The longer scale on the bass side increases string tension and gives low strings a satisfying snap and fullness of tone.
This combination of short and long scales sounds great on a 6-string guitar or 4-string bass, but is particularly beneficial if you play in drop tunings or want to explore extended ranges with 7 or 8 strings on guitar or 5 or 6 on bass. On a standard-scale instrument, tuned-down or extra strings can feel floppy and exhibit serious intonation problems: on a multi-scale guitar, tension feels even across the fretboard and tuning is never compromised.
How does a multi-scale fretboard feel?
Most people who try my guitars comment that the "tilting" or splay of the frets is a lot less noticeable than they had anticipated. A 6-string guitar or 4-string bass fretboard will feel natural in minutes. The 7- and 8-string guitars and 5- and 6-string basses will require a couple small adjustments in your fretting hand since the scales are stretched a bit more: a slightly longer reach is required in the lower bass side positions, and high positions near the neck-body joint may need an extra eye for accuracy at first, as well.
Don't think too much about it! Playing a multi-scale instrument is mostly a visual adjustment. Your hand will quickly adapt, and I know you'll find that the benefits in improved tone and tension will outweigh any initial challenges. Remember, the scales are tilted in your favor, and once you play a multi-scale guitar, you may never want to go back!
But you don't have to take my word for it: see what these people had to say...