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Ok, so I'm wondering something. It seems to me that on shorter scale guitars, the string tension is always floppier, and vice versa. Duh. I have a baritone Jazzy tuned pretty fucking low on the low strings (FCG, low to high...) and I'm curious if you guys who own a regular scale jazzy can answer a question for me. Since the total string length is greater, even thought the actual scale is only 25.5", does it keep better tension when drop tuned?

Does my question/theory make sense?

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying completely as baritone strings will be longer than standard scale strings, but depending on the gauge, I've even got my 24" Jaguar set up for G# right now. It's kind of floppy with .12's, but nothing completely out of control. I've dropped my Jazzmaster down to A without any problems too, and I'd say tension would be tied directly to string gauge. If I put .13's on the Jaguar I could still drop it down to G#, but the tension would increase for sure

What I mean is how on a Jazzy (or maybe something with a bigsby?), the strings extend much farther beyond the bridge then on something like a Les Paul or Strat. I wondered if that contributed at all to the overall tension and whatnot.

Hmmm. My Jaguar is a hardtail, compared to my Jazzmaster that is not. Between NOT having a trem, and having a tune o matic, I can leave the Jaguar in a closet for months and bring it out and it be perfectly in tune. The Jazzmaster I can pretty much do the same thing, but not if I've been heavily using the trem.

I guess I'm mostly curious if the strings get .... less floppy with the trem bridge.

Total string length doesn't change the tension. It's the vibrating length (scale length) that matters.

The Jazzy bridge doesn't have much of a break angle and while that doesn't change the tension
it can give the perception of the guitar playing less "stiff" while at the same pitch.

That lack of break angle def loosens the feel, basically why most people go up a gauge on a JM. I have 11-50s on mine tuned to D standard, feels perfect, nice medium tension. My Tele, same scale with the string thru body, feels much stiffer with that same string/tuning combo, def attributed to the increased break angle.

Only factor that string length will affect is if they'll fit the guitar properly.

Aaaaah. That's kind of what I figured. But I was curious as to everyone's experiences....

Holy Schnikes wrote: Only factor that string length will affect is if they'll fit the guitar properly.

QFT Tried to put longneck tapercore DRs on a standard scale length 5 string bass with a bridge/tail piece setup and it turned into a shit show. Too thick a winding trying to make it's way around the tuning peg, just looked sloppy, unprofessional and messed with my sensibilities. Currently has a proper scale length .158-??? Balanced Tension string set from Circle K Strings. Tuned down a whole step, the bass plays and feels perfect.

Not a JM/Jag I know but just wanted to emphasize the overall string length seems destined to only effect the fit on the instrument.

On my Standard Scale Length Tele Deluxe; which is a hard tail, I tune to C#/Drop B. Using CKS .69-.14 and a good setup and the guitar plays perfectly for me. Being a bassist mainly I tend to not have any issues with the heavier string gauge. The guitar needs to be tuned pretty frequently but I consider that par for the course for any guitar and tuning is pretty much part of my routine. Nothing worse than playing out of tune.

Conversely I have a standard set of strings on my Les Paul Junior (gauges unknown, they are the strings that were on the guitar when I bought it) and tuning it to D/Drop C is sloppy as hell.

Bottom line, I'd be looking into heavier gauge strings and a good setup/nut slot widening job. Not knowing anything about the trem arrangement on Jags/Jazzmaster, a heavier string will mean more tension so I don't know if that tremolo will need to be adjusted or beefed up for that (like say additional springs in a Strat style trem setup).

Sorry for the Apples and Oranges comparisons.

warwick.hoy wrote: On my Standard Scale Length Tele Deluxe; which is a hard tail, I tune to C#/Drop B. Using CKS .69-.14 and a good setup and the guitar plays perfectly for me. Being a bassist mainly I tend to not have any issues with the heavier string gauge.

I like your style Heavy gauges for the win. The only place I prefer a little less tension nowadays is on my baritone's low F. The extra string vibration adds some rumble to the tone. I can tell.

That Tele Deluxe sure doesn't play like it has .14s on it either. Much akin to butter.