7/8th's Sized Guitars

[Shadoweclipse13]

I bought a kids guitar (3/4 sized I think) for my ex's daughter for Xmas a few years back, and after I changed strings and cleaned it up a bit, I fell in love with the size. The thin neck/nut was a little strange at first, but once I got used to it, I almost didn't want to give it up.

I'm kinda tempted to get one of the 7/8 Tele's from Warmoth or make my own. As a short guy, I think having something like that would be amazing.

Anyone play one? Acoustic, electric, anything? Let's see those tiny guitars!

[UlricvonCatalyst]

I bought my son a 3/4 size Squier acoustic many years ago, but he never took it up. I love it as a player, though it would need a lot of work to be used as a proper instrument. The sound is great though - very middley - and the fact you can pick it up and play it without a strap, a la ukulele, is a definite bonus feature.

It'd probably make more sense to buy a Baby Taylor than throw money at this guitar, but I am tempted to have a bone nut and saddle installed and get the sharp fret edges sorted out.

[Embenny]

It's important to note that the Warmoth "7/8 Tele" is completely different from an actual 7/8 guitar. The Warmoth is just a slightly scaled down body on a Gibson 24.75" scale length neck.

A true 7/8 electric guitar is a 22.5" scale, which includes all the 50's duosonics and musicmasters and some of the 60's duosonic IIs, musicmasters, and mustangs.

Standard 24" Mustangs, Duo-Sonics and even Jaguars can take vintage-spec 22.5" necks without modifying anything else (they're designed as conversion necks). Of course, the Jag has a large body and doesn't feel like a 7/8 guitar, but the mustang bodies certainly do when paired with these necks.

You therefore have a world of vintage and reissue offsets that you can explore if you like the 22.5" scale. You can get pre-CBS 22.5" necks for amazing prices still, and could stick one on any standard Mustang/duosonic body of your choice, for example.

[i love sharin foo]

For the last year or so, I've REALLY been wanting to start with a 22.5" Musicmaster neck, covert to a 4 string, and build a TENOR Jaguar with it.

[Embenny]

For the last year or so, I've REALLY been wanting to start with a 22.5" Musicmaster neck, covert to a 4 string, and build a TENOR Jaguar with it.

That would be pretty badass!

[Gordon]

For the last year or so, I've REALLY been wanting to start with a 22.5" Musicmaster neck, covert to a 4 string, and build a TENOR Jaguar with it.

Oh gosh, I though I was the only one wanting something like this...

[Shadoweclipse13]

It's important to note that the Warmoth "7/8 Tele" is completely different from an actual 7/8 guitar. The Warmoth is just a slightly scaled down body on a Gibson 24.75" scale length neck.

A true 7/8 electric guitar is a 22.5" scale, which includes all the 50's duosonics and musicmasters and some of the 60's duosonic IIs, musicmasters, and mustangs.

Standard 24" Mustangs, Duo-Sonics and even Jaguars can take vintage-spec 22.5" necks without modifying anything else (they're designed as conversion necks). Of course, the Jag has a large body and doesn't feel like a 7/8 guitar, but the mustang bodies certainly do when paired with these necks.

You therefore have a world of vintage and reissue offsets that you can explore if you like the 22.5" scale. You can get pre-CBS 22.5" necks for amazing prices still, and could stick one on any standard Mustang/duosonic body of your choice, for example.

That's awesome except that I'm lefty and won't ever find vintage Fender lefties, especially necks in that scale. Haha. Which is ok honestly, as I'd rather buy or build new anyways. I mean, I'd LOVE to have a vintage JM, but I'm not holding my breath of ever finding one.

For the last year or so, I've REALLY been wanting to start with a 22.5" Musicmaster neck, covert to a 4 string, and build a TENOR Jaguar with it.

LOVE this idea!!

[Embenny]

That's awesome except that I'm lefty and won't ever find vintage Fender lefties, especially necks in that scale. Haha. Which is ok honestly, as I'd rather buy or build new anyways. I mean, I'd LOVE to have a vintage JM, but I'm not holding my breath of ever finding one.

If you're just buying a vintage neck, all you have to do is flip it and cut a new nut. It'll be a reverse headstock, but plenty of people pay for new builds with those. Very different from flipping an entire guitar where the ergonomics and controls are completely wrong. Just a different angle for using the tuners.

I've seen 22.5" pre-CBS necks sell online for $250. Just pointing out that you have the option.

[Logrinn]

I’m a 24” scale guitarist nowadays. Only took me 40 years to realise that this was what I’ve been looking for all these years.
Got a Fender SuperSonic that got me on the right track and that’s what led me to searching for higher quality 24” scale guitars. Not many out there.
Until I found Warmoth.
Now I have a 7/8 Strat, a 7/8 Tele and a Mustang. All Warmoth’s. All with 24” scale necks.

[kdanie]

I just grabbed a black mini strat on ebay for $50 including shipping. I was just looking for a neck but the entire guitar was the same price as necks I found. I dig it, sounds pretty good and is a good couch guitar as strats have no butt like a 'stang. I may just upgrade the pickups to some I already have on the shelf (worth more than the guitar!!) and play the crap out of it.... BTW, it's the first guitar I've ever bought, I have always built them myself.

ken

[Shadoweclipse13]

I’m a 24” scale guitarist nowadays. Only took me 40 years to realise that this was what I’ve been looking for all these years.

What made it feel right for you? Are you short like me, or is it the plunkiness of the tone?

[Logrinn]

It’s a question of being able to play/do certain things especially on the first to fourth, fifth fret without having to stretch my left hand fingers out of their joints.
Now that I’ve ”found” the 24” scale guitars I can’t go back to playing longer scale guitars. I can immedately feel that a 24,75” scale guitar is longer and a regular Strat feels impossible to play.
I now actually find it weird that it’s not more discussed and that guitar manufacturer doesn’t offer their models in several ”sizes”.
I often compare this whole thing to shoes or clothes. You wouldn’t buy or accept shoes or clothes that’s too big, now would you? Or too small for that matter.
There was an image recently on the web of the actor playing Hodor in GOT playing an Ibanez (?). In his case the scenario was the opposite. This guitar was way too small for him.
So - in a nutshell - we’re all different sizes, but guitars are only available in a very few sizes.
Maybe these sizes are enough, but I don’t believe enough guitarists knows about them.

As for the ”plunkiness” of the tone - I’m a firm believer that that is a myth. I’ve got a new amp recently and no matter which of the guitars I pick up (they all got different pickups) I have never had better tone than the tones I’m getting now.

[Shadoweclipse13]

It’s a question of being able to play/do certain things especially on the first to fourth, fifth fret without having to stretch my left hand fingers out of their joints.
Now that I’ve ”found” the 24” scale guitars I can’t go back to playing longer scale guitars. I can immedately feel that a 24,75” scale guitar is longer and a regular Strat feels impossible to play.
I now actually find it weird that it’s not more discussed and that guitar manufacturer doesn’t offer their models in several ”sizes”.
I often compare this whole thing to shoes or clothes. You wouldn’t buy or accept shoes or clothes that’s too big, now would you? Or too small for that matter.
There was an image recently on the web of the actor playing Hodor in GOT playing an Ibanez (?). In his case the scenario was the opposite. This guitar was way too small for him.
So - in a nutshell - we’re all different sizes, but guitars are only available in a very few sizes.
Maybe these sizes are enough, but I don’t believe enough guitarists knows about them.

As for the ”plunkiness” of the tone - I’m a firm believer that that is a myth. I’ve got a new amp recently and no matter which of the guitars I pick up (they all got different pickups) I have never had better tone than the tones I’m getting now.

That sounds awesome, but the idea of my 25.5" scale guitars feeling weird after that makes me a bit apprehensive. I love my Tele, I frequently play bass, and want to get/build a baritone.

By "plunkiness" of the tone, I meant more "percussive, with less sustain" not a bad tone. I was pretty sure that that is a common fact about shorter scale guitars, but I've never played one.

[Logrinn]

By "plunkiness" of the tone, I meant more "percussive, with less sustain" not a bad tone. I was pretty sure that that is a common fact about shorter scale guitars, but I've never played one.

I’m pretty sure it’s a common misconception and that many believe that short scale guitars suffer from lack of sustain and some such.
I have two words: Brian May. Many will agree that Queen’s guitarplayer have massive tone. And not many seem to know that his Red Special is a 24” scale guitar.

I don’t think you’ll have to worry about changing from your Tele to a short scale will feel weird. Many here seem to enjoy both their Jazzmasters and their Jaguars. Those are perhaps one of the best examples of similar guitars but with completely different scale length: 25,5” & 24”.

I’m sure many won’t think twice about what scale length they’re playing on, but for some it might be a very big deal indeed. If they only got to try it.

BTW I found an image of Hodor rocking out. A prime example of scale length being wrong:

[Shadoweclipse13]

That's awesome!! As a short dude, I wouldn't worry about going from Tele to short scale (would likely VERY much enjoy it), but from short scale to full-length standard Tele. If I get/make one, I don't think I'll be getting rid of the 25.5" scale guitars I have now, you know?