Questions regarding neck Radius and Scale Length

[Commodore 64]

I have 2 guitars that I currently practice with. One is a MK Patriot Q, the other is a Samick Jazzmaster. Of course they have different specs.

When I switch from one guitar to the other, I have troubles for a little bit adjusting. I absolutely love my MK for its tone, and low action, but I'm finding that the Samick is more comfortable.

The Samick has what appears to be a wide, flat neck profile and there is a little bit more space between the frets. I guess that's what they mean with scale length, right? It's easier for me to pick arpeggios and string skip on the Samick, for example...which seems odd because the fretboards are the same width. So I'm thinking it has to do with the neck profile and scale length then.

Are there rules of thumb, say for someone with long arms, large hands, and long skinny fingers?

Since I'm a beginner is it detrimental to keep switching guitars?

 

[wingsdad]

...The Samick has what appears to be a wide, flat neck profile and there is a little bit more space between the frets. I guess that's what they mean with scale length, right?

Yep. I'm guessing your Samick is 25.5" scale length, the MK 24.75", and that's why you notice the extra space.

Are there rules of thumb, say for someone with long arms, large hands, and long skinny fingers?

I wouldn't say 'rule of thumb', but I'd say if that description fits you, you've already found that longer, flatter is more comfortable. The only other ingredient might be a tad wider nut width.

Since I'm a beginner is it detrimental to keep switching guitars?

Au contraire, mon frere. Not unless you're impossibly uncomfortable with the feel & playability of the shorter scale. And there's shorter than 24.75", too...like '3/4' scale, as in a Fender Mustang or Rick 325 -- John Lennon called his 325 a 'short arm' guitar. These are more suited to kids and folks with the opposite characteristics, or for players whose style incorporates widely spanned chord shapes. Again, that's why Lennon liked the 325 earlier on, as a rhythmer. Eventually, as he'd changed/grown his style and dabbled more with leads, he favored the 24.75 of an Epi Casino. (besides...he'd beaten & abused his 325's into submission.)

Eventually you may prefer one type over others w/o exception. But that cold take you a while. I wouldn't write off anything til you absolutley hate it and find it counter-productive to your skill growth.

 

[kiteman]

I have 2 guitars that I currently practice with. One is a MK Patriot Q, the other is a Samick Jazzmaster. Of course they have different specs.

When I switch from one guitar to the other, I have troubles for a little bit adjusting. I absolutely love my MK for its tone, and low action, but I'm finding that the Samick is more comfortable.

The Samick has what appears to be a wide, flat neck profile and there is a little bit more space between the frets. I guess that's what they mean with scale length, right? It's easier for me to pick arpeggios and string skip on the Samick, for example...which seems odd because the fretboards are the same width. So I'm thinking it has to do with the neck profile and scale length then.

Are there rules of thumb, say for someone with long arms, large hands, and long skinny fingers?

Since I'm a beginner is it detrimental to keep switching guitars?

Have you tried playing a baritone? I have a feeling it'll suit you.

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

I'll play anything & switch them around. I'm trying to determine if I'm still a beginner or an intermediate player.

Buy what you think you'll like best, but play'm if you've got'm & be thankful that you have something to play.

 

[bcdon]

Buy what you think you'll like best, but play'm if you've got'm & be thankful that you have something to play.

And if you didn't have'm to play, you'd be playing with yourself and might go blind! :crazyguy