Long scale (25.5") Guilds

zizala

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Hello all....

I posted some info including some mention of the 25.5" scale length on my '53 Guilds on the jazz forum a few days ago.
I did feel some uncertainty about subsequent production of long scale Guilds after the move to Hoboken.

My own experience with guitars I've owned is that NY era Guilds had the long scale, with some spill over of incomplete NY stock during the Hoboken transition. It's been my understanding that the shorter 24.75" scale became standard at this time.

Hans and a few members have mentioned a few 17" models that showed up with the long scale on occasion in the late 50's and even early 60's.

Does anyone know details about post NY long scale Guilds that had factory specified 25.5" scale necks instead of the 24.75"? (not leftover NY necks)
I've never owned or researched any of the higher end 17" Guilds from the Hoboken era forward and was wondering if these all had the 24.75" scale.
 
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AcornHouse

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Don’t the later Artist Awards have long scale? I’m talking later Westerly, if not Benedetto era.
 

Walter Broes

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Hello all....

I posted some info including some mention of the 25.5" scale length on my '53 Guilds on the jazz forum a few days ago.
I did feel some uncertainty about subsequent production of long scale Guilds after the move to Hoboken.

My own experience with guitars I've owned is that NY era Guilds had the long scale, with some spill over of incomplete NY stock during the Hoboken transition. It's been my understanding that the shorter 24.75" scale became standard at this time.

Hans and a few members have mentioned a few 17" models that showed up with the long scale on occasion in the late 50's and even early 60's.

Does anyone know details about post NY long scale Guilds that had factory specified 25.5" scale necks instead of the 24.75"? (not leftover NY necks)
I've never owned or researched any of the higher end 17" Guilds from the Hoboken era forward and was wondering if these all had the 24.75" scale.
Hans would know indeed, there are some mentions in the book too. I think the 350's/375's kept the longer scale a little longer than the other models, but don't quote me on that!
 

Tom O

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Not a Jazz guitar but My GAD-N5 has a 26 in scale even though the specs say.
  • Scale Length: 25.59" (650 mm)
 

fronobulax

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Not a Jazz guitar but My GAD-N5 has a 26 in scale even though the specs say.
  • Scale Length: 25.59" (650 mm)

Any chance that is due to measurement technique?

On a bass I can get as much as one inch difference from the spec depending upon which string I measure, whether I measure from one side of the nut/fret or the center and whether I measure from the 12th fret and double the measurement or try and measure the whole spring.
 

AcornHouse

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Any chance that is due to measurement technique?

On a bass I can get as much as one inch difference from the spec depending upon which string I measure, whether I measure from one side of the nut/fret or the center and whether I measure from the 12th fret and double the measurement or try and measure the whole spring.
Yes, every guitar and bass has compensation added to adjust for the string being pressed down. That’s why the saddles are slanted. As Frono said, the correct way to measure scale length is from the nut to the 12th fret, doubled.
 

GAD

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There are plenty of both throughout the years. It really depends on the model. Guilds with longer scales tend to be 25 5/8” with some exceptions and not 25 1/2”
 

Tom O

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Any chance that is due to measurement technique?

On a bass I can get as much as one inch difference from the spec depending upon which string I measure, whether I measure from one side of the nut/fret or the center and whether I measure from the 12th fret and double the measurement or try and measure the whole spring.
1st string is 26 front fret side of nut to front edge of saddle. 6th string is almost a 1/16 longer. Intonation on 1st string is on per tuner.
 

adorshki

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1st string is 26 front fret side of nut to front edge of saddle. 6th string is almost a 1/16 longer. Intonation on 1st string is on per tuner.

This is why scle length is measured to the 12th fret and doubled, those length variations are due to the saddle angle required to achieve good intonation.
There are plenty of both throughout the years. It really depends on the model. Guilds with longer scales tend to be 25 5/8” with some exceptions and not 25 1/2”
I used to wonder why I saw that 25-1/2 spec so often when I first joined, turns out it was an actual spec early on as Zizala said..but not on flattops. ;)
 

GAD

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This is why scle length is measured to the 12th fret and doubled, those length variations are due to the saddle angle required to achieve good intonation.

I used to wonder why I saw that 25-1/2 spec so often when I first joined, turns out it was an actual spec early on as Zizala said..but not on flattops. ;)

25.5” is also commonly seen on Strats.
 

GAD

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Ah, right, but thought we were speaking only of Guild. And neglected to say I'd see that spec on flattop listings. :)

Someone who comes from the rock electric guitar world my easily suspect that all guitars are either 24 3/4" or 25 1/2".
 

zizala

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I'm pretty far away from the rock guitar world but admittedly my Guild interests lie between 1953-63, when from my experience and a look through Hans's book, at that time they were either 25.5" or 24.75" scales.

It was likewise with Gibson's of the day......

I'm actually living in a world of older archtop acoustics and electrics and should have framed my inquiry a little more along those lines.
Anyway, I do appreciate the responses and input.
 
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