Scale Lengths.

[lordgalvar]

Something that has always kind of bothered me was when I was looking at guitars around the internet (mostly just to see what to look out for in person) and they never list scale lengths of necks. Sometimes I can find out via google but a lot of times I can not.

I guess it would be nice to keep a list around and use the vast ILF knowledge:

Any one know the scale/neck length of the old Welson Jazz solid body guitars like the Vedette, Primate, and Dyno? Did they vary?

Thanks for the help.

Here is a list:

Code: Select all

YEAR  GUITAR                                           SCALE  NUT    BRIDGE
----  ------                                           -----  ---    ------
2007  Fender Jaguar MIJ Special HH.....................24.00" [unverified]
1968  Silvertone 1445 Mosrite..........................25.50" [unverified] - 0 Fret
1967? Welson Jazz Primate..............................25.50" [unverified] - 0 Fret

[KaosCill8r]

Chank is pretty knowledgable about old obscure guitars like that. Maybe he might chime in.

[Chankgeez]

Thanks, Kaos.

Welsons are pretty obscure and awesome guitars. I've no idea on the scale lengths though.

A lot of times if they're being sold on eBay and the seller isn't really familiar with guitars, scale length isn't even something that they think about.

The best thing to do, lordgalvar, is to just ask the seller.

[lordgalvar]

Thanks, Kaos.

Welsons are pretty obscure and awesome guitars. I've no idea on the scale lengths though.

A lot of times if they're being sold on eBay and the seller isn't really familiar with guitars, scale length isn't even something that they think about.

The best thing to do, lordgalvar, is to just ask the seller.

I did (and I even found the equivelent Wurlitzer than was made by them and asked that seller). Nobody has replied. They look super short scale. I found the scale for one of their ES-335 copies and it was like 23.75"! Slightly smaller than a Jag. I don't know if that is normal for those kind of guitars, but that seems weird.

I was actually surprised my Silvertone was a full sized guitar and it even has a slightly longer neck than the Mosrites it is based on. I've just got kind of long fingers/hands that are more at home on a bass than a guitar. Every extra inch helps. The Silvertone just has the worst bridge and I am kind of trying to figure out where to go next. Even though it is all original and in great shape, there are just things that need fixing on it (like nut and bridge). I just never really liked my jag I guess. Probably should just build my own I guss.

[Chankgeez]

Yeah, it wouldn't surprise me if they were that short.

I'm guessing you've found the Welson page on fetishguitars:

http://www.fetishguitars.com/welson/

(Love that site.) Not always a lot of specs, but they got some nice photos and background info.

[lordgalvar]

Yeah, it wouldn't surprise me if they were that short.

I'm guessing you've found the Welson page on fetishguitars:

http://www.fetishguitars.com/welson/

(Love that site.) Not always a lot of specs, but they got some nice photos and background info.

Yea, it is freaking amazing. Such weird and awesome guitars. Found a few message board hits hear and there. I think I found that HorseyBoy had owned a few Welsons when I searched this site. They are such neat looking guitars, but I just don't hang 'em on the walls. I play the heck out of 'em. haha. The pictures of the guitar I am looking at (Jazz Primate) is the very guitar I am looking at buying. It is in Seattle at Mike and Mike guitars. They still haven't gotten back to me

It's also hard to find anything on their rebranded foriegn models (wurlitzer, etc) either. Found some French sites, but still. I need to stop finding and obscessing over new stuff. haha

Have any other suggestions of cool weird guitars with 25.5 lengths? Always on the lookout for stuff. Or should I just give up and build something (a bass vi or baratone kinda thing or a full size copy of one of these Welsons)? Or just save up for a Mosrite (though I know those will always be there and for sale and they are a bit shorter/gibson length or something right, they felt fine when I played one in high school for like 20 seconds)?

As always, Thanks Chank!

I'm still going to fix up the Silvertone, don't care if it ruins the value. It ain't worth nothing if the bridge don't work haha.

[Chankgeez]

You should get a Chankgeez signature model:



https://reverb.com/item/670685-1965-int ... brownburst

Scale length isn't 25.5, but it's not that short. I think it's just shy of 25.

That Welson you're looking at looks nice, but I don't think it's 25.5 either.

[colin]

I'd never heard of Welson before, so I have zero to add, but holy shit that Jazz Primate looks awesome!



If I hadn't just bought another guitar myself (awaiting delivery, hopefully later today), I'd be super tempted by it myself. Definitely has that cool oddball Fender Marauder look to it, combined with that wonderfully wacky look of those 60's Italian guitars. The more I look at it and type about it, the more I find myself falling a little bit in love with it.

I bet Mike and Mike's will get back to you soon, looks like they keep pretty limited hours (open wed-sat). Their phone number is on their website, if you haven't heard by Wednesday I'd give them a call. I've never dealt with them (although I should totally check out their shop next time I take a trip down to Seattle), but I've heard good things.

[lordgalvar]

yea, I kinda fell in love with the goofy looks. It was like "that is neat" and then I kept thinking about it and I finally emailed them haha.

Thanks Chank. Yea I just threw 25.5 out there. I know a lot of these 60s guitars ain't close but I've picked up a japanese guitar here and there that made me look like I beat up a child for his guitar haha. Under 24.5 is what I worry about.

That Intermark is a nice one. I'm going to fall in love with that one too, watch me haha. I think 875 is too much for me to blow on a guitar with my lack of talent. But if I flip my mpc and something else, I don't really loose anything. I dunno. Or I get rid of the mpc and get the intermark and cash? Then I remember I always wanted a burns bison. Don't know why, just did. Might flip my Jag even though it's been with me for a long time.

Maybe I will start compiling a list of scale lengths and we will make like a little library. It is one of the most hard to find things for me. Too many projects! haha.

I almost picked up a Kay Vanguard II but I got the Silvertone 1445 instead.

[Chankgeez]

Funny you should mention the Bison.

I've been wanting this Japanese Bison copy:



https://reverb.com/item/608452-1965-la- ... e-electric

That one definitely looks like it has a decent scale length.

[lordgalvar]

Funny you should mention the Bison.

I've been wanting this Japanese Bison copy:



https://reverb.com/item/608452-1965-la- ... e-electric

That one definitely looks like it has a decent scale length.

That is awesome! Dang. Between you and UG I'm going to be ruined haha.

[Chankgeez]

[lordgalvar]

Got my Reply from Mike and Mikes. The scale for the Welson Jazz Primate is 25.5" That is a big bodied guitar then haha.

It's got everything I like: switches, long neck, weird looks, useless parts, from the 1960s. and knobs. hmmm....

[Chankgeez]

Wow, that's awesome. It totally didn't look that long from the photo. (TWSS)



(String behind the bridge.)

[colin]

Dude you gotta buy it. It's just too cool, especially with a 25.5 scale.