Crump OMII 22.75 or 20.125 Scale length?

[Killian King]

I began this thread in the wrong forum awhile ago but another forum member pointed me in this direction.

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...gth-content%29

Basically, I have read as many threads as I could find regarding string length and I think I understand most of the differences, however, I am wondering how different the two instruments would sound.

Do you think the difference would be a large one, or not so much?

Thanks

[Steve L]

Definitely noticable.

[Killian King]

Thanks.

So would it be safe to say that the shorter scale would make the sound closer to mandolin while the longer range closer to Bouzouki?

I realize I am obsessing a bit, but it is my first instrument of this type. I also don't think I can go wrong either way given that I will be learning on the instrument.

[Steve L]

It won't sound anything like a mandolin. If you're familiar with electric guitars, it's more like the difference between a Les Paul and a Strat.

[Killian King]

which is a huge difference to me. I am a fender man.

[Killian King]

I think I am going to ask Phil Crump to describe the difference and rely on his knowledge to help in my decision.

[Eddie Sheehy]

I have a Beard 24" scale and a Beard 21" scale - they are chalk and cheese. The longer scale has a brighter slightly jangly sound while the short-scale has a tubby percussive sound. I use the longer-scale one as a zouk (GDAD) primarily for backing and the short-scale as n Octave Mandolin (GDAE) primarily for melody, although there is a lot of crossover...
I have no experience with Crumps.

[Killian King]

Thanks Eddie, that is helpful. And not at all what I would have expected. I was thinking shorter = brighter.

[draino]

Do you have an acoustic guitar? If so, place a capo on the 2nd fret and then tune it to pitch (i.e., drop every string by a whole tone). That should give you a better idea of how shortening the scale will impact the tone than any words anyone can give you.

[Mo Soar]

That is a gorgeous octave Crump builds - but what rough price range is it? It's a bad, bad sign for a pocketbook when there isn't even a hint.

I'm eyeing the "Lafferty" model The Mandolin Store has coming in....


ETA: oops, found the (separate) pricing page - just over $2k....

[capt_blood]

Get the longer scale OM. If the scale length is too long at first, reuse draino's idea: tune it down 2 half steps and capo at the second fret. Of course, I would suggest the same argument so you buy a Crump bouzouki at a 25.5" scale length.

[otterly2k]

In my experience, the shorter scale will tend to have a bit more punch and the longer scale a bit more sustain. Don't forget to factor in your left hand tho. How long a scale will be comfortable for you to play, and what kind of lines/parts do you tend to play?
e.g. I have small hands and like to play melodic lines as well as chords... so I ended up with a shorter scale (20.5) and it works for me. Those who do more chording work seem to often prefer the longer scale (for the jangle and sustain)... but it wouldn't work for me given what I like to play and the size of my hands.

Honestly, I think the physical reach/comfort issues are more important than the differences in tone for someone just getting into the CBOM world. No matter how great it sounds, if it's too long for your hands and it's hard or painful to play, it is a deterrent to learning the instrument. That's just my opinion. I"m sure there will be those who put tone first. (usually they're the ones with big hands who never have to worry about reach, tho, right Stv? *(-; )

[Mo Soar]

On an OM, how does a flat or radius fretboard influence playability? I know this is probably an individual issue, particularly on regular mandolins. Right now I'm leaning toward a radiused short scale OM, but, frustratingly, I've never had a chance to play an OM -ANY OM, period.

[Eddie Sheehy]

I find that on a radiused fretboard the separation between the strings in a G or D pair feels 'funny'. Probably my imagination since the radius is so slight anyway...

[otterly2k]

I think fretboard radius is very much a a personal preference thing... and probably most related to whatever you're used to.

[Killian King]

Thanks to all who gave me their opinions in this thread.

I ordered my OMII a few weeks ago and opted for the short scale (So that would be an OMIIs). I won't have it until November, but I will be sure to post pictures when I get it. I think it's going to be a beauty.

[otterly2k]

congrats, Killian, and post some pix and a review when it finally does arrive. I honestly think that there's no bad choice here... Crump's instruments are very high quality, and these details are the fine tuning.

[Killian King]

When I finally made my decision, it was because I realized what you just stated above. No bad decision.