Longer Fretboards

[RockyMtnTex]

The more I look for a Mandolin the more questions I seem to have.

Is a 14 in. fretboard standard? I've seen classifieds where the add refers to a shorter fretboard as 13 7/8. I can't imagine that an 1/8 in would even be noticable.

But...I've seen adds that state "longer" neck. What length do these longer necks run? Is the increased fret space even noticible? Any pros and cons?

Andy

[Jerry Byers]

The reference to long neck and short neck refers to where the neck joins the body. The old style joined at the 12th fret. With the introduction of the F5, it was joined at the 15th. The length from the heel to the peghead (back of the nut) is now longer.

I can't comment on the 14in vs. 13 7/8in. Anybody?

[JEStanek]

14 inches vs. 13 7/8 is the scale length (Distance from nut to bridge) not the fretboard length.

Short neck usually refers to neck joining the body at 12 while long neck refers to neck/body joint at 15 like Jerry said.

The 15 Frets to body lenght give more reach. With oval holes there is debate on the impact to tone of a short vs longer neck as thee longer neck positions the bridge towards the fingerboard and alters its position on the soundboard.

Jamie