24" scale length

[Mark Gunter]

Am wondering if anyone has a 24" scale length instrument, and if so, have you experimented with string gauges? And, if you've experimented with string gauges, what have you learned?

I've been in the process of making an eight-string resonator conversion from a parlor guitar, scale length 24". My original thought was OM.

I've been studying a bit, and I've seen that the Gibson mandocello was 24.75", also, I noticed that one modern builder provides both an OM and a mandocello in 24" scale, that would be Yanuziello https://www.yanuziello.com/mandolin-family/

I've recently checked out string sets from D'Addario:

            |     C     |    G     |    D    |     A    |     E
-----------------------------------------------------------------
EJ80 OM     |           |   .046   |   .032  |    .022  |    .012
-----------------------------------------------------------------
EJ78 MC     |    .074   |   .048   |   .034  |    .022
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Are there opinions on how either of these sets behaves on a 24" scale length?

My gut says that the slightly beefier mandocello set would be best to try initially, and that's probably what I'll do, depending though on what others may have to say who are in the know on this.

[zoukboy]

You can run your own string tensions on this site here: http://www.bangzero.org/stringtension/

len 24"

E4 .012" PL == 20.69#
E4 .012" PL == 20.69#
A3 .022" PB == 28.53#
A3 .022" PB == 28.53#
D3 .032" PB == 27.04#
D3 .032" PB == 27.04#
G2 .046" PB == 24.94#
G2 .046" PB == 24.94#
total == 202.4#

len 24"

A3 .022" PB == 28.53#
A3 .022" PB == 28.53#
D3 .032" PB == 27.04#
D3 .032" PB == 27.04#
G2 .046" PB == 24.94#
G2 .046" PB == 24.94#
C2 .074" PB == 26.67#
C2 .074" PB == 26.67#
total == 214.37#

[pedandawl]

I once had a 24” octave. I used 13.22.32.42 (tuned GDAE). Those gauges seemed just right to me, though I imagine 12 on top & 46 on bottom would probably be fine, too.

[Mark Gunter]

Thanks for the link, Roger, and thanks for the feedback based on your experience, pedandawl.

[HonketyHank]

I was able to download STApplet.java from the bangzero site linked above, but I don't know how to compile and execute it. Is there a compiled app or, well, what to do next?

[rudy44]

I have a 23-1/2" scale octave on which I use .011", .022", .034", and .044". strings. I picked the guages to be easy multiples of 11 so they would be easy to remember, although I had to bump the D strings up to .034" because .033" wasn't available.

Those strings sound very nice and feel great, but some of the reaches are a bit much on the 23-1/2" scale. Some day I'll make a 22" scale octave when there's some time free of other projects.

[Mark Gunter]

Thanks Rudy.

[Whitethorn]

A few hours ago l took delivery of a new 24" 'short scale bouzouki' by Lawrence Nyberg, the strings of which are 45 - 30 - 20 - 12. I've been playing a 23" OM of his for the last 9 years. Its strings as l usually string them run 48 - 32 - 22 - 14, substantially beefier than the bouzouki, though at times I've used strings of these [Nyberg-recommended] bouzouki gauges on the OM and found them satisfactory.
At this time l don't think I'd string the zouk with strings any heavier than what are on it...funny what 1" difference in fret scale can do, or not do.
Best,
Jamie Wahl

[rudy44]

A few hours ago l took delivery of a new 24" 'short scale bouzouki' by Lawrence Nyberg, the strings of which are 45 - 30 - 20 - 12. I've been playing a 23" OM of his for the last 9 years. Its strings as l usually string them run 48 - 32 - 22 - 14, substantially beefier than the bouzouki, though at times I've used strings of these [Nyberg-recommended] bouzouki gauges on the OM and found them satisfactory.
At this time l don't think I'd string the zouk with strings any heavier than what are on it...funny what 1" difference in fret scale can do, or not do.
Best,
Jamie Wahl

Most definitely.

My octave was made by modifying a Taylor GS Mini (23-1/2" scale) neck (someone had the "neck only" on Reverb) and attaching to a 40's Kay arch top guitar body. The tone is great with the 11/22/32/44 string pairs, but the stretches to play chord forms that I prefer at the lower frets could be much better for me with a shorter scale.

I'm going to build a guitar-bodied octave with a 22" scale and see how the compromise between play-ability and tone translates.

[Mark Gunter]

Ok, this is what I've gotten from you guys and from looking at the D'Addario sets. I assume you're tuning that 24" short scale bouzouki GDAE?

I really need to get in the shop and finish up this build this summer. I want to play around with this stuff already.

            |     C     |    G     |    D    |     A    |     E
-----------------------------------------------------------------
EJ80 OM     |           |   .046   |   .032  |    .022  |    .012
-----------------------------------------------------------------
EJ78 MC     |    .074   |   .048   |   .034  |    .022
-----------------------------------------------------------------
pedandawl   |           |   .042   |   .032  |    .022  |    .013
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rudy (23.5) |           |   .044   |   .034  |    .022  |    .011   
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Whitethorn  |           |   .045   |   .030  |    .020  |    .012
-----------------------------------------------------------------

[Whitethorn]

Right, Mark. I tune to GDAE.
Jamie