Differences playing normal scale & short scale

lawton · Post by **lawton** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 6:24 am

Hey guys.

I've done some post searching about the short scale guitars (320, 325...) and I've seen some comments that the short scale isn't for everyone, and that it's difficult to play on the upper frets, etc.

I'm looking at perhaps getting a 320/5, and I'm wondering what comments anyone can offer about exactly how the short scale is different. I would imagine that you'd just compensate here and there with some technique matters. Is it more than that? How much harder is a 320/5 to play than the 620 I have now?

Thanks!

rob · Post by **rob** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 6:34 am

I believe it's just a personal preference. Some people feel more comfortable on a shortscale than a long scale, and vice versa. It depends on your height, the size of your hands and fingers, etc.

Personally, I'd rather choose a regular scale length. A shortscale would probably feel too small for me.

sneakers · Post by **sneakers** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 7:11 am

Being a short and regular scale Rickenbacker owner, I can honestly say that if you have the hand technique down, a short scale guitar should be no problem. The 320 will probablly play better with heavier gauge strings; .012, .016, .024W, .032, .042, and .054. It will take some skill to play "leads" on the 320, but it can be done. I think the 320 is more suited for rhythm playing, as is the 325. When I got my 325 I was surprised at just how small it was. I had my 280#, 6'-2" best friend strap it on and it was hilarious. If you want to look good with a 320 it helps if you're svelte.

lawton · Post by **lawton** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 7:19 am

Oh well... Svelte I ain't (6" 240)...

Perhaps I should look for a 350 instead (as opposed to crying instead...).

Thanks much, guys!

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 7:50 am

I think that a Model 350 would be a good alternative.

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Mon Aug 11, 2003 11:06 am

Lawton-- In the very humble opinion of this bass player, go with the 350 model. PickoftheRicks currently has a 2002 V63 in Burgundy for $1,495. I don't think you would be sorry getting this guitar.

And welcome to the forum; you'll like it here.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Tue Aug 12, 2003 10:29 am

Among my RICs are a 1984 325v59 JG and a 1987 320 Silver. I am pretty much just a rhythm player, I don't play lead. Even so, I find the 320 series to be best for open chords and bar chords below around the seventh fret, and even there I start to have some difficulty finding space for all my fingers because of the narrowing of the fret spacing as one goes up the scale.

For oldies stuff (Beatles, Who...) this is fine, but I switch to one of my full-scale RICs (or, dare I say, one of my G*****s) for other stuff that requires some higher bar chords (e.g. Doobie Brothers); here I prefer the 21-fret full scale ones over the 24-fret ones, again due to the narrower fret spacing on the higher frets of the latter.

Lawton, if you can find a store with a short scale that you can try, I'd recommend doing that before buying one, just to make sure that the 'fit and feel' is right. The 350 is probably a good alternative, but I had a 355 JL and I didn't find it to be that much 'better' (it's too bad playing guitar is so subjective!).

rick_lover · Post by **rick_lover** » Sun Aug 24, 2003 10:58 am

Some time ago, I wanted to figgure out, how it is to play on a shortscale, so i capoed my 330 on fourth fret an it was much the same as my friend's 320.

rick12dr · Post by **rick12dr** » Sun Aug 24, 2003 11:27 am

so i capoed my 330 on fourth fret an it was much the same as my friend's 320.

Excellent way to experience short scale without buying one!!!Now we're using the ol' noggin!!!

aladams · Post by **aladams** » Sun Aug 24, 2003 3:15 pm

Howdy, Don! Al Adams here; it's been a while since we've communicated, but I guess better late than NEVER! By the way, I'll send a shot of the 320 that you made a single gold pickguard for about a year or so ago. I've tried to post a pic on the site here, but I'm not very savy with shrinking the pixtles to an acceptable size. I love my 320 and my 330/12 and the size difference as you well noted, is that capoing a Ric standard scale guitar on the 3rd or 4th fret is equal to the scale of a 3/4 scale Ric. Playing lead is really not a problem IF you have lots of strength in your fingers to bend the strings. Hope all is well in Hawaii and retirement for me from the old USPS is getting closer all the time! HALLELUJA! Thanks again for your talent and time. God Bless - AL A.

lawton · Post by **lawton** » Sun Aug 24, 2003 3:19 pm

Hey guys. Thanks for the suggestion to capo. I very rarely use a capo, but I do have one. I'll be popping it on my 620 at the fourth fret and we'll see how it feels. Woo hoo hoo!!!

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 12:39 pm

One minor detail: I believe that the 620 is a 21-fret neck while the 330 is a 24-fret neck. If so, the fret spacings will be different (wider) on the 620. Nonetheless, it should still be similar enough to determine whether one would like playing on a short scale.

shamustwin · Post by **shamustwin** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 1:00 pm

I have heard that shorter scaled guitars are easier for bending and vibratos (less tension, like an L.P.) than longer scaled (like Strats). It's harder for me to do massive bends on a strat than a paul. Would the distance from nut to bridge be different on a 330 as opposed to a 620?

paul_yan · Post by **paul_yan** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 1:35 pm

The scale length (distance from nut to bridge) of 620, 330, 360 is the same: 24 3/4". I believe the fret spacing is identical on these models. The current 300 series have 3 frets extended over the body while the 620's last fret stops at the neck/body joint.

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 2:51 pm

It doesn't matter how many frets there are. On a 24.75" scale, the distance from the nut to the third fret is 3.938" and from the nut to the fourth fret is 5.106". So if you capo at the third fret, the scale length will be 20.812", which is very close to RIC shortscale. If you capo at the fourth, the scale length will be over an inch too short.

Of course, once you put the capo on you have to detune to standard tuning or you won't get the effect. And then you'll have the problem that your strings are much too light for the scale. Remember, factory SS strings are .012-.054.