26 3/16" scale length

Black Mamba · 06-01-2012, 04:50 PM

Hi guys, I'm definitely getting a BRJ. I know about the BFR, but I've dealt with the Jackson Custom Shop; I've waited before.

One thing I'm thinking about is the 26 3/16" scale length. My favorite scale length is 25.5" but the higher frets are spaced a little closer together than I'd like. I was just wondering if anyone can tell me anything about the 26 3/16", how it feels, is it close to a 25.5? etc... thanks guys

skeels · 06-01-2012, 05:16 PM

Hey welcome to the forum!

I have a 26.5" scale and i love it- very comfortable in the upper register. My hand stays loose and not all bunched up.
Since I've gotten used to it, 25.5"scale seems kind of dinky now. Like a toy!
I actually want a 27" now.

Black Mamba · 06-01-2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeels

Hey welcome to the forum!

I have a 26.5" scale and i love it- very comfortable in the upper register. My hand stays loose and not all bunched up.
Since I've gotten used to it, 25.5"scale seems kind of dinky now. Like a toy!
I actually want a 27" now.

thanks for the warm welcome and info!

Michael T · 06-01-2012, 07:32 PM

Yep, it's roughly 1" more nothing major.

I have a couple 26.5" guitars & cannot really tell much difference other than I can use lower tunings without having huge ass strings.

The string tension is the reason behind the 26.3/16" scale I do believe, Correct me if I wrong but I do know that it's not considered a baritone scale length.

EtherealEntity · 06-02-2012, 05:44 AM

27 inch is like adding one fret behind the nut and removing the 24th, so everything feels one fret lower.
So 26 3/16 will be even less significant than that.
If you want bigger spacing in the highs and could cope with stretching one or two frets lower when riffing, then 27 or 28.625 would suit you

jbg · 06-03-2012, 10:04 AM

26 3/16" is a banjo scale length:
STEWMAC.COM : Dual Fret Scale Templates

scherzo1928 · 06-03-2012, 10:48 AM

I have 26 3/16 on a 7 stringer. Went with that scale to give myself more space on the higher frets as well, and it's very comfortable. I do notice an improvement on the spacing on the higher registers, but it doesn't bother me at all on the lower ones. I also have a 27.5" scale sixer, and even then the stretches are not an issue... of course I have pretty big hands.

Black Mamba · 06-03-2012, 01:26 PM

Thanks for the info guys, one other thing I'm debating is 624 vs 627. The only thing with the 27 is the pickup spacing, would the longer scale length help that?

leonardo7 · 06-03-2012, 01:33 PM

26 3/16 is about 26.2", actually slightly less.

So 27" is actually farther away from 26 3/16 than 26 3/16 is from 25.5

26 3/16 is also closer of a distance from 25.5 than 25.5 is from the 24.75 Les Paul length.

27" feels the same as 25.5" meaning that the frets are spaced nearly identical but only one fret lower. If there could be another fret lower than the first on a 25.5" then it would be about exactly 1.5" so 27" sort of feels the same but 26.5" is awesome. While I have no issues with 27" and love it, I do find that I can simply shred quicker and more effortlessly on standard scale. Im thinking 26 3/16 might be the best, I will have to wait till my Rico comes through.

Rook · 06-03-2012, 06:35 PM

I found the extra length on my 26 3/8" BRJ too much, and didn't like it. I just couldn't get it too feel right.

I'd suggest trying some extended length guitars if you can. You could always order one 25.5" scale.

canuck brian · 06-04-2012, 11:28 AM

I use the 26 inch scale on all of my 6's and 7's. I've got short fingers and I've never felt hampered by it at all.

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06-01-2012, 04:50 PM	#1
Black Mamba Proud Bodom Fanboy Join Date: May 2012 Location: VA, USA Posts: 613 Thanked: 16 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	26 3/16" scale length Hi guys, I'm definitely getting a BRJ. I know about the BFR, but I've dealt with the Jackson Custom Shop; I've waited before. One thing I'm thinking about is the 26 3/16" scale length. My favorite scale length is 25.5" but the higher frets are spaced a little closer together than I'd like. I was just wondering if anyone can tell me anything about the 26 3/16", how it feels, is it close to a 25.5? etc... thanks guys

06-01-2012, 07:32 PM	#4
Michael T Sea Turtles mate Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Richmond, Ky Posts: 1,392 Thanked: 39 $Michael T is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Michael T is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Michael T is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Michael T is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Michael T is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Michael T is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Michael T is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 39 reviews	Yep, it's roughly 1" more nothing major. I have a couple 26.5" guitars & cannot really tell much difference other than I can use lower tunings without having huge ass strings. The string tension is the reason behind the 26.3/16" scale I do believe, Correct me if I wrong but I do know that it's not considered a baritone scale length. The project that I'm working on is so secret... Even I don't know what I'm doing!

06-03-2012, 10:48 AM	#7
scherzo1928 has wood for you Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mexico City Posts: 4,698 Thanked: 33 $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have 26 3/16 on a 7 stringer. Went with that scale to give myself more space on the higher frets as well, and it's very comfortable. I do notice an improvement on the spacing on the higher registers, but it doesn't bother me at all on the lower ones. I also have a 27.5" scale sixer, and even then the stretches are not an issue... of course I have pretty big hands. Is this... guitar?

06-03-2012, 06:35 PM	#10
Rook Electrifying Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: London Posts: 7,556 Thanked: 109 Feedback Score: 18 reviews	I found the extra length on my 26 3/8" BRJ too much, and didn't like it. I just couldn't get it too feel right. I'd suggest trying some extended length guitars if you can. You could always order one 25.5" scale. Formerly known as Fun111, don't be thrown off by the avatar!!!!!! My Soundcloud My project on Facebook: Rook

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06-01-2012, 05:16 PM	#2
skeels ..to pay the beels Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: milwaukee,WI Posts: 2,724 Thanked: 33 Feedback Score: 20 reviews	Hey welcome to the forum! I have a 26.5" scale and i love it- very comfortable in the upper register. My hand stays loose and not all bunched up. Since I've gotten used to it, 25.5"scale seems kind of dinky now. Like a toy! I actually want a 27" now.

06-02-2012, 05:44 AM	#5
EtherealEntity Tom Winspear Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex, U.K Posts: 8,359 Thanked: 77 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	27 inch is like adding one fret behind the nut and removing the 24th, so everything feels one fret lower. So 26 3/16 will be even less significant than that. If you want bigger spacing in the highs and could cope with stretching one or two frets lower when riffing, then 27 or 28.625 would suit you

06-03-2012, 10:04 AM	#6
jbg Guitar builder Join Date: May 2012 Location: LA, CA Posts: 18 Thanked: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	26 3/16" is a banjo scale length: STEWMAC.COM : Dual Fret Scale Templates

06-03-2012, 01:26 PM	#8
Black Mamba Proud Bodom Fanboy Join Date: May 2012 Location: VA, USA Posts: 613 Thanked: 16 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the info guys, one other thing I'm debating is 624 vs 627. The only thing with the 27 is the pickup spacing, would the longer scale length help that?

06-03-2012, 01:33 PM	#9
leonardo7 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,492 Thanked: 110 Feedback Score: 21 reviews	26 3/16 is about 26.2", actually slightly less. So 27" is actually farther away from 26 3/16 than 26 3/16 is from 25.5 26 3/16 is also closer of a distance from 25.5 than 25.5 is from the 24.75 Les Paul length. 27" feels the same as 25.5" meaning that the frets are spaced nearly identical but only one fret lower. If there could be another fret lower than the first on a 25.5" then it would be about exactly 1.5" so 27" sort of feels the same but 26.5" is awesome. While I have no issues with 27" and love it, I do find that I can simply shred quicker and more effortlessly on standard scale. Im thinking 26 3/16 might be the best, I will have to wait till my Rico comes through.

06-04-2012, 11:28 AM	#11
canuck brian Bowes Guitars Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,618 Thanked: 42 Feedback Score: 7 reviews	I use the 26 inch scale on all of my 6's and 7's. I've got short fingers and I've never felt hampered by it at all. www.bowesguitars.com Bowes Guitars - Builds In Progress

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