Question:
Would you build a guitar with the following specifications, why or why not? What woods would you use?
Answer:
The effect is basically more of the same ...more tension and a longer stretch for fingering. Increasing the scale length also changes the location of the bridge. Guitars that I've made with 26 scale were quite a bit louder, I think it's something that works especially well with a wood combo that requires a lot of energy to drive, like Brazilian (or one of the Brazilian substitutes) and spruce. I think it would have a tendency to overdrive a redwood top in standard tuning but might work better in some alt. tunings. The loudest guitar I remember making was a Pau Ferro/Adirondack Dread, for Steve Cooley of the Dillards. Another consideration with long scales in standard tuning is it increases the risk of string breakage, particularly on the E and G. These are pretty normal dimensions for a small jumbo. I personally make the body a little bit thinner (4-3/8) and I use 25.4 or 25.6 inch scales although 25.5 would be no problem. I make my SJ body a little thinner than you suggest because it gives treble/bass balance that I like. I do make a grand auditorium shape guitar with your dimensions, though. On the scale length, I started with 25.4 because that is has been a Martin standard. I wanted tro try a longer scale length for alternate tunings. I chose 25.6 because it should be long enough to make a difference, but not so long as to make it that much different to play.
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