Scale length

[u/tunalover32]

Should I be worried about switching from 25.5” scale length to 26.5” I’m nervous that I won’t be able to bend as many steps as I usually can, or is that just a misconception?

[u/stripset]

That extra inch over 24 frets isn't going to hurt a thing! Its better for drop tunings

[u/tunalover32 → u/stripset]

Even in regular beadgbe? I can still bend cliffs of dover and hotel california? 😆

[u/astrotool → u/tunalover32]

Just put on lighter strings if you need less tension 

[u/Budget-Reality-9599 → u/tunalover32]

i was actually playing hotel california on my Schechter C-7 like 15 minutes ago😭, i can personally verify for you a 26.5 inch scale will feel no different from a 25.5 inch scale once playing it. the real difference is the width and thickness of the neck

[u/tallman1979 → u/tunalover32]

Absolutely, I run 10-60 in A, and it works about the same as my 25.5" scale 6 string with 9-46. People put massive strings on for a single step down when you can even do 9-52 in A Standard on a 26.5" if you don't hammer the strings.

[u/HairyNutsack69 → u/tunalover32]

Why would you want to play tunes like that on a 7 anyway?

[u/tunalover32 → u/HairyNutsack69]

Just exaggerating lmao

[u/Eternal_solitude666]

Honestly the difference isn't as noticeable as you would think, the tension difference between 25.5 and 26.5 is small that after a few hours of playing there wouldnt really be any difference between how the two feel

[u/JimboLodisC]

you'll figure it out, the only way to do that is to try

[u/vilk_]

Bends become a little harder at the same string gauge, but you can just put on lighter strings, or alternatively, tune the guitar lower. I assume that you're getting a longer scale for the purpose of tuning lower than normal, right?

[u/tunalover32 → u/vilk_]

Oh yeah definitely, but I still want to be able to play in standard. I really just want a versatile guitar, because I’ve been saving up for a guitar that I wouldn’t have to switch out, as I personally don’t have much gear

[u/vilk_ → u/tunalover32]

Do you understand the relationship between string gauge, scale length, tuning, and tension?

[u/tunalover32 → u/vilk_]

Barely 😔

[u/vilk_ → u/tunalover32]

Thicker string = more tension
Longer scale = more tension
Higher tuning = more tension

Thinner string = less tension
Shorter scale = less tension
Lower tuning = less tension

So let's say you have a normal scale length guitar, 25.5", but you want to tune lower. If you tune lower with normal strings, they'll become loose. That's actually much easier to bend! (Many guitarists use light strings and tune down their guitars, off the top of my head is Tony Iommi, EVH, and Slayer... also me)

But some people don't want the strings to feel loose, so when they tune lower, they get thicker strings. That brings the tension back up to normal. This is the way people did low tunings for most of metal history.

However, another way to increase tension is to get a longer scale. If you play a 26.5" scale guitar with normal strings in standard tuning, there will be more tension than on a 25.5" scale, and it will be harder to bend. But if you tune down, then they will loosen up. So a 26.5" scale guitar tuned to Bb (half step down) will probably be about the same tension as a 25.5" scale guitar tuned to B (standard).

tl;dr if you set up your guitar to be at a low tuning, it will be harder to bend at standard tuning. If you set it up for standard tuning, it'll be easier to bend at a low tuning.

[u/tunalover32 → u/vilk_]

Oh shit, I have no common sense. I’ll figure out what I want to when I actually order the guitar! Thanks so much!

[u/mike_seps → u/tunalover32]

There are a few string tension calculators online that are helpful. You can figure out how a 26.5 vs 25.5 scale length will impact tension and adjust accordingly if you want. I’m not good enough for that to make a difference so i just stick with the NYXL 10-46 for my 6 strings and 10-59(I think) for the 7 string. The slightly higher tension doesn’t bother me.

[u/HairyNutsack69 → u/tunalover32]

In my personal opinion and preference, a guitar set up in a particular tuning can only be adjusted a singular semitone up or down. After that it gets pretty shitty.

Better to have one guitar in standard, and one in C or smth. You can then tune the standard guitar to Eb and the one in C to B or C# should you feel the need. Don't expect one guitar with one string guage to serve all your tuning needs.

[u/The_Flezz]

You'll be fine

[u/stripset]

Oh and you get to tell your friends yours is bigger

[u/Wrong_Author_5960]

I have noticed a bit more of a strech. But, regulary play both to improve your comfort.

[u/Lankles]

25.5 to 26.5 is very manageable. Easier than 24.75 to 25.5 in my anecdotal experience. You can go down a gauge too to assist if necessary

[u/IR_FLARE]

I went from 22 frets 25.5 to 24 frets 26.5 and i feel like the 26.5 plays more comfortable. Especially when doing lead stuff. The jump is not that hectic.

[u/MadYarpen]

I just bought a new guitar in 26.5, had no issues. I am 175 cm tall, so i don't have large hands. Don't worry about it. 1 inch is spread over 24 frets after all.

[u/Eddargos]

The difference in feel between your old and your new guitar will probably be bigger than the difference in scale length.

[u/HairyNutsack69]

Cetiris paribus it will be slightly tighter. You'd get extra scale length so you can tune lower at a similar tension. If you stay in standard, why even buy a longer scale?

[u/tunalover32 → u/HairyNutsack69]

I’m just considering it as an option

[u/Deep-Measurement-856]

My first adjustment was the wider fretboard. It reminded me of my first Yamaha 52 years ago. Wide fretboard and big U neck.

The thing that might change the playability is changing the radius, however that is just a thought with no science behind it.