Typically, people can tell the difference between a 24.75" and 25.5" scale guitars, only because the two guitars differ in other ways, such as neck thickness, upper fret access, bridge type, fretboard radius, etc. For instance, a Les Paul and a Telecaster. Though, if you take two of the EXACT same guitar, except have one be 24.75" and 25.5" and did a blind study, I bet most wouldn't be able to tell definitively.
The ones I compare are a similar design (basic RG style). When I play them back to back, I notice the stretches a little more towards the nut of the 25.5" and the tighter squeeze past the 12th fret of the 24.75".
It's not enough to need an adjustment period and I'm fine with both--but I also don't have tiny or huge hands, as some of the people that really care about the difference do.
Also, to put it in perspective when I say I like the longer one better, it's definitely not based on the other things about the guitar... because I actually like the 24.75" one way better in most other aspects.
Just do the math. (This is all using a .009 gauge set.)
A .009 high E string on a 24.75" scale has a tension of 12.33lbs.
A .009 high E string on a 25" scale has a tension of 12.58lbs.
A .009 high E string on a 25.5" scale has a tension of 13.09lbs.
To put that in perspective just a little bit, if you were to place a .010 string on the high E on a 25.5" scale, the tension would increase by 3.15 lbs (.010 gauge tuned to E = 16.24lbs).
That means the difference in tension is over six times greater when going up one string size compared with adding .5" to the scale.
I use the same brand strings on both, but I put 9's on the 25.5" and 9.5's on the 24.75" and they pretty much feel the same to me.
I do feel a little less tension with 9's on the short scale, but if I go up to 10's on the short one, it feels a lot more different to me than 9's on the long one. I don't know if it's the tension or just the noticeable feel of the added thickness. To me, 9.5's are perfect on the short scale, though.
I never played a 25" scale, but I'm guessing if I had one, I'd probably put the 9.5's on that as well.
No idea what I'd do if I tried one in the 27" - 30" range... I'd probably have to use thread or fishing line.
![Rofl :rofl: :rofl:](http://www.sevenstring.org/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/rofl.gif)
Not to mention that .75" (not .25) difference is even more then the 25.5" verses 25" being most debated.
The .25" is comparing the 25" and 24.75" scales, pointing out that the two are so close that if someone can tell 25.5" & 24.75" apart, the .25" difference probably wouldn't change that. Basically saying that the difference between 25.5" & 25" is twice the difference of a 25" vs. 24.75" comparison.
Another thing about comparing the two, besides stuff like other differences between the two guitars, is that the most important difference would be between the people playing them. Big hands vs. small hands, etc...
I'd also imagine if you combine small hands & a medical condition, that .25/.5/.75" difference could feel like a mile.
Just like how some people can play 13's all day, while others need to go get stitches after playing 10's for a few minutes.
![lol :lol: :lol:](http://www.sevenstring.org/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/laugh.gif)
Like I said though, the difference isn't really enough to matter to me and nothing in that range would be a deal breaker for me if I like a guitar. I'm just saying I don't really think people that feel it enough to have a preference are BS'ing.
And I mentioned Carvin because I wondered if they did any research on it. They obviously prefer 25" but added that extra .5" for the sevens. Yet they don't seem to be rushing out to offer something to keep the "sevens have to be at least 27 inches" crowd happy.
Or maybe it has nothing to do with that. I'm just assuming they'd keep things the same if possible, just like I wouldn't see a problem with PRS sticking to their standard 25" if they're happy with how it works out.