Question 1 - String gauge and scale length.

[Daniel_M]

I was curious if the collective wisdom could provide some guidance…

I started with the assumption that I would like to achieve the ‘biggest, fullest’ acoustic sound possible but I have a strong preference for a given string tension. So assuming a constant string tension, what would sound bigger, a short scale length with thicker strings or a long scale length with thinner strings. For discussion, lets say the thinner strings are 11s and the thicker strings are something super heavy like 16s.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Daniel

[Kim]

To my mind 'heavy' strings + short scale v light strings + 'long' scale sort of cancel each other out..This is to say that they each use an extreme end of the string gauge to try and grab back the benefit of the others scale length.

As for fuller tone, if you are of the belief that more over-all soundboard area = more over-all sound output, then a 12 fretter will deliver that to you...But I am not of that belief. I believe that unless you use a buttress, or some other means of maintaining structural integrity that will allow you to do away with the UTB and take advantage of an unimpeded upper bout, then more efficient use of that area of the soundboard from the back of the soundhole on to the butt end of the guitar is the key to more sound output. To my mind introducing more furniture just to allow you to drop a little string tension so you can then up the gauge and reintroduce that tension in the hope it will steal back what you gave up seems a lot of effort just to end up where you started.

Cheers

Kim

[Daniel_M]

Thanks Kim,

As I mentioned, it had been swirling around and was started by two of my primary guitars which are different scales. Thanks for the advice and guidance.



Daniel

[Kim]

That's OK Danial, but please do not let my mussing put you off from finding out the facts for yourself.

What I have written are just 'my' thoughts which I hope would add to "The collective wisdom". I am certain that there are many people who build very nice guitars that would disagree with most of what I say....regardless of what it was

Cheers

Kim

[graham mcdonald]

In general the lighter the strings for a particular pitch, the more harmonics in the sound, as the strings, at a lighter tension, can vibrate more freely.

Of course only one aspect of the total harmonic makeup of any particular note, but one thing to ponder on. Not sure if that helps, but.. I always rather like the lighter tension and zingier sound, but that might well be because most of what I have built are bouzoukis and octave mandolins, which have a different audience.

cheers

graham