Scale length

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Pedal steels would appear to have either a 24 inch or a 24 and one quarter inch scale length.
Whichever way it is calculated it still works out as a 1% increase or decrease in length.
What difference does it really make?.
I have heard there is less string breakage with one but once strings have been fitted and played a couple of hours they begin to deteriorate so why have extra play time on a string which is losing tone.
Tone ,timbre or whatever You want to call it is improved? why?
Do We start to split hairs when We have nothing else to do?
I guess there is a reason for the differnce in scale length but I cannot work it out.Please will someone explain.
Black guitars are faster.
The King's new clothes!!!
I have a Mate who can play a cheap six string guitar and make it sound real nice
I have met guys who have very expensive instruments and they have a the ability to make them sound like a real cheapie.
The only thing that is guaranteed to make Me sound better is practice.
Ranting a bit.
Billy

[bob adams]

I have met guys who have very expensive instruments and they have a the ability to make them sound like a real cheapie.

Billy for all you have ever posted this has got to be the most priceless 'steelies quote' ever!

Thank you for the smile!

As for the other questions I’ll let the aficionados answer them!! As for me if it has wood n’ wire I’ll play it whether it has a simonized fretboard or not!

[Zebedee]

I'll take a guess that the 1/4 inch difference is simply commercial one-upmanship.

Shobud were making 24" scale length steels, so maybe the people at Emmons Guitars thought it would give them a selling advantage if their steels were 1/4" longer, and well advertised.

Don't forget, the pedal steel player is a very fickle beast, easily influenced by slick advertising, always thinking that there's something better 'just around the corner', that will give them the sound they have craved all their lives.

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Fickle steel players.
Yes Richard You got it in one.
Think of all the posts there have been on how to improve Your sound by wearing the correct shirt,shoes and many other irrelevant things.
Bob, that was just the booze talkin' Must go have another tipple and see if I can come up wi' summat.
Billy

[ZBSD-10]

I have met guys who have very expensive instruments and they have a the ability to make them sound like a real cheapie.

Oi Billy ! You been watching me play ??
All the best, keep up the good work all of you, wish I'd been there !
Frank. Corfu

[Donny Johnston]

Billy, I don,t think scale length makes one bit of difference to the guitars tone,what make it right for me is to make sure my hair is properly groomed, and lookin good. Donny

[Basil Henriques]

From playing and owning an extreme variety of Lap, Console and Pedal steel guitars, in my experience the longer scale equates to more sustain and pitch stability.

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Basil
Whilst I can accept that a scale length which is some two inches shorter on a lap steel as opposed to that on a pedal steel will have a difference in tone or sustain,I cannot understand the difference one quarter of an inch on the scale length of a pedal steel will make.
Best regards
Billy

[Basil Henriques]

Well I know most pedal steels have a 24" scale, but NOT keyless ones, most keyless are 25"

I have a Fender Stringmaster twin 8 that's 26" scale, and my Fender 1000, 400, 800 and 2000 are all 23" Both my Emmons D-10s are 24.25" the PS-210 is 23.5"
There's absolutely no doubt that the 26" Stringmaster has the best sustain, but the differences betwixt my pedal steels is more to do with the body weight than scale length.

[Zumbilly(Murdoch)]

Thanks Basil,
I really was unaware of the amount of difference in scale length.
Shows how much I know.
Are any,or many steels being built today with other than "24" or 24.25" scale length?
Billy