McCarty 594 Scale Length Confirmation

[Julian]

Hello all,

I was wondering if someone had both a McCarty 594 and proper tools to measure the scale length. I measures 12.25" between the fretboard side of the nut and the top of the 12th fret. I'm just wondering if they're being legit with the measurements/just a marketing scheme, or if there's some sort of minute error on my measuring tape (slack at the end).

 

[ViperDoc]

Hello all,

I was wondering if someone had both a McCarty 594 and proper tools to measure the scale length. I measures 12.25" between the fretboard side of the nut and the top of the 12th fret. I'm just wondering if they're being legit with the measurements/just a marketing scheme, or if there's some sort of minute error on my measuring tape (slack at the end).

The treble side will be shorter for compensation.

 

[GADonis]

I would say that a tape measure is not an accurate measuring tool and I'd say you are seeing variance from "eyeballling" the center of the twelfth fret and the inaccuracy of the tape measure. Especially if you are using the very end of the tape. I've noticed that the "tab" at the end of the tape is usually loose and even if it is tight, they are typically riveted in place, not a precision operation. The difference between 24.500 and 24.594 scale lengths when measured at the twelfth fret would be .047". I would think that is easily in the range of variance expected from a tape measure.

 

[DISTORT6]

I would say that a tape measure is not an accurate measuring tool and I'd say you are seeing variance from "eyeballling" the center of the twelfth fret and the inaccuracy of the tape measure. Especially if you are using the very end of the tape. I've noticed that the "tab" at the end of the tape is usually loose and even if it is tight, they are typically riveted in place, not a precision operation. The difference between 24.500 and 24.594 scale lengths when measured at the twelfth fret would be .047". I would think that is easily in the range of variance expected from a tape measure.

Agreed. When I need to use a tape measure to get a more accurate measurement, I start at the 2 inch mark, get my number, and then just deduct 2 inches. Those tabs are always loose.
Still not the most accurate tool to use for this job, but this tip will help get you closer.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

If I remember it equates to an old scale length in mm’s. Google says approximately 625mm.

 

[ViperDoc]

The only difference between the Santana and the 594 scale length is 94/1000 of an inch. Precision ruler required.

 

[Wakester]

That little tab thingy on the tape is supposed to be loose, so that carpenters can take inside and outside measurements with the same accuracies. You are correct that it does not work to measure guitars. For that, You need a steel rule with 1/64 graduations, or a digital beam ruler that can be fixed to the bridge then held center over the 12th fret.

 

[bodia]

 

[Julian]

Can confirm. Scale length is in fact 24+19/32”.

 

[ThePanda]

Can confirm. Scale length is in fact 24+19/32”.

From where to where are you measuring? Very curious about this.

 

[RickP]

Is Paul’s middle name really Reed?

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Is Paul’s middle name really Reed?

Is he really a Reedsmith?

 

[Julian]

I wasn't convinced by my measurements so I printed out a 24+19/32" scale fretboard template (https://www.ekips.org/tools/guitar/fretfind2d/).

It didn't match.

I thought my printer was off, maybe it wasn't calibrated correctly, so I used my caliper (recently bought one for my own build) to see whether or not the fret spacing on my template was off. It wasn't.

I then printed a 24.5" scale template, caliper matched fret spacing again. I aligned it with my fretboard and lo and behold, it matched.

I correct myself, the 594 scale length is actually 24.5".

 

[Julian]

Gonna order a trussrod cover that just says "McCarty 5".

On a more serious note though isn't it kind of ironic that Paul was the one who said Gibson's scale length isn't 24.75" (while marketing the 594)? Like come on bro.

 

[aphantomvaper]

My 594 fretboard measures 24.594. Are you sure you have a 594?

 

[dogrocketp]

Gonna order a trussrod cover that just says "McCarty 5".

On a more serious note though isn't it kind of ironic that Paul was the one who said Gibson's scale length isn't 24.75" (while marketing the 594)? Like come on bro.

Remember, not all LP’s are exactly the same scale length.

 

[Julian]

My 594 fretboard measures 24.594. Are you sure you have a 594?

Yessir. How did you measure yours?

 

[László]

Mine's longer than yours.

 

[Julian]

Sigh - a recurring trend

 

[László]

Is Paul’s middle name really Reed?

So's my son Jamie's middle name. And PRS wasn't even on my radar back when we named him.