How to measure your scale length (and why it may look wrong)Updated 23 days ago
Almost always, no. Nine times out of ten this is a measuring quirk rather than a fault with your kit. There are two versions of this worry, and both are normal:
Your neck measures shorter than the listed scale length. This is usually a measuring mistake.
The distance from the nut to the bridge saddles measures longer than the listed scale length. This one is intentional, and the guitar needs it to play in tune.
Here is how to check properly.
How to measure your scale length correctly
You cannot measure scale length by running a tape from the nut all the way to the bridge. Measure to the 12th fret instead, then double it.
Start your tape or ruler at the front edge of the nut, the end closest to the headstock.
Measure to the centre of the 12th fret. Measure to the top of the metal fret itself, not the gap between the 11th and 12th frets. This is the single most common mistake.
Double that number. That is your scale length.
What you should see:
A 24.75" kit should read about 12.36" to 12.375" at the 12th fret.
A 25.5" kit should read about 12.75" at the 12th fret.
If the doubled figure matches the scale length listed for your kit, the neck was fretted and manufactured correctly.
Watch us check it on a real kit:
Building a semi-hollow instead? Same check, on that body: Checking the scale length on a Semi-hollow Body Guitar.
Why the nut to bridge distance measures longer
Scale length is a mathematical measurement that sets the fret spacing. String length is different: it is the actual distance from the nut to the point where the string touches the bridge saddle, and it is always slightly longer, typically by 1/16" to 1/8".
That extra length is deliberate. Pressing a string down to fret a note stretches it, and thicker strings stretch more than thin ones. To keep notes in tune as you play up the neck, the bridge compensates by sitting each string slightly further back. On a 25.5" scale guitar, the low E might have an actual string length of about 25.625".
It is also why bridges are built the way they are:
Adjustable saddles on most electric bridges let you move each string forward or back to set intonation.
Angled bridges, such as a Tune-o-matic on an LP style kit, are mounted at a slight angle so the thicker bass strings get that extra length automatically.
How much variance is normal
Being off by 1 to 2mm on the scale length measurement is normal and nothing to worry about.
A string length that runs 1/16" to 1/8" longer than the scale length is correct, not a fault.
Any small variance gets corrected when you set intonation at the bridge during final setup, so it will not affect how the guitar plays or tunes.
Here is that intonation step in full:
If you are dry fitting your kit before final assembly, the rule is simple: expected string length equals the scale length plus 1/16" to 1/8". As long as your bridge placement lets the saddles fall inside that range, your geometry is correct.
Where to find your kit’s scale length
It is listed on each product page under Specifications, along with the bridge type and number of frets.
Still not sure?
Send us a straight on photo of the full neck, from the nut down to where it meets the body, plus your 12th fret measurement, and we will confirm it for you.