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 Post subject: J-45, 24.75" or 25.4"?
PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 3:54 pm 
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Koa
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Location: Raleigh, NC
First name: Steve
Last Name: Sollod
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Status: Amateur
I got a plan for a J-45 from Georgia Luthier Supply. I expected the the plan to show a scale length of 24.75" which I thought was standard for the J-45. The plan shows a 25.4" scale. Not what I expected...

In your opinion, should I stick with the plan or make adjustments for the shorter scale? This is not my first build. It would be number 12. If going to the shorter scale I assume that I would need to move the bridge patch forward approx. 1". ...and also the X brace...

One other thing... My fretting jig (Stew-Mac) has a template for the Martin short scale of 24.9". I used that on L-00 build and it worked just fine. I would expect to use that scale length. The difference is only 0.15". ...or I could stick with the 25.4 scale length. Just looking for opinions and/or suggestions.
Thanks,
Steve

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 4:06 pm 
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Koa
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Location: Raleigh, NC
First name: Steve
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I just found this information online...

1969 Gibson J-45 guitar specs:
Square shoulder dreadnought body shape. Scale length increases from 24.75 to 25.5"

...odd that it says "square shoulder".

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com


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PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 4:17 pm 
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Koa
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Location: Raleigh, NC
First name: Steve
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another thing that bothers me about these plans is that it shows no compensation for the saddle location...

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 4:26 pm 
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Koa
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Location: Litchfield MI
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J45's have 24.75 scale length, the short scale - lower tension is what sets them apart from the Martin "D" On average little less volume, more mellow. I believe the 24.9 would work fine.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/


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PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 5:52 pm 
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First name: Tom
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Are you sure you don't have an Advanced Jumbo plan. Think they are 25.4".
Tom

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 6:10 pm 
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J-45, 24.750. AJ, 25.5 one of each is ok. My #2 is a 13 fret Nick Lucas with a 24.750 very different feel than a 25.4


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PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 6:11 pm 
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Koa
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Joined: Sat May 19, 2007 11:03 am
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Location: Litchfield MI
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http://www.guitarhq.com/gibson6.html

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Ken Cierp

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:32 pm 
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I'm in the middle of a J-45. 24.75" scale, 13 fret.

Bob


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