Guitar scale is just the working length of a single string or strings in total. This term refers to the length of the string from the bridge to the nut. On electric guitars, this length is usually 648 mm (which is 25.5 in inches); for bass guitars, the string length is 864 mm (or 34 inches). Typically, the length of the string does not depend on the number of frets, since the twelfth fret will always be exactly in the middle. It is for the above reasons that we can conclude that a high-quality and reliable tuning of the scale is the key to a good sound of the guitar as a whole. And this is worth considering. The tuning of the scale allows the guitar to hold the system more accurately and for a long time, which is convenient and useful both for performances and for everyday home use.
The concept of adjustment, or the tuning of a guitar scale means changing the length of each string individually. This is done so that every note at any point in the neck of the guitar accurately "builds". Often you can hear the phrase "the guitar does not build" - this means only that some notes sound inaccurately on the fretboard. The easiest way to carry out such a procedure is to adjust the scale of the electric guitar or acoustic guitar tuner.
A tuner is an electrical, mechanical or electromechanical device designed specifically to measure the frequencies of individual notes. In simpler words, this is a device that determines the sound of a note.
Before proceeding to the direct tuning of the scale, you need to adjust the bridge and guitar anchor. Naturally, if possible on your instrument. This is done to set the correct, optimal distance from the neck to the string on the electric guitar. An anchor is a screw screwed into the end of the neck (to the place where the head of the neck is located). Adjusting the distance from the neck to the strings is quite simple. If the bridge is rigid on your electric guitar, then such a bridge will be regulated by two screws. Therefore, in this case, all strings will be adjusted immediately. It should be noted that it is imperative to leave the string room for oscillation. Otherwise, the sound will be poor-quality and contain certain overtones.
To fine-tune the scale, connect the electric guitar to the tuner. After connecting, play the first open string. The numbers on the tuner screen (or the arrow) should show the Mi note. Next, hold the twelfth fret of the first string. Great hopes are usually placed on an electric guitar. If all is well, then the tuner should show the same result.
There are only two basic rules when conducting such a procedure as setting up the scale:
- When the tuner is less than necessary, the string should be shortened.
- When the tuner shows more than necessary, the string should be lengthened.
The scale of the electric guitar is regulated with a conventional screwdriver. In this case, do not forget to move the sliders. Unscrewing the screw, the string will be shortened. Twisting - lengthen accordingly.
If you don’t have a tuner at hand, you can try to tune the guitar’s scale to your ear using the flagollets on the twelfth fret of each string.
When tuning the scale, it should be remembered that sometimes it is virtually impossible to tune old strings due to heavy wear.