Hello:
I have a question: to see the distance from the nut, where on the 12th fret is it measured, at the top, in the middle, or at the end of the fret?
Hello:
I have a question: to see the distance from the nut, where on the 12th fret is it measured, at the top, in the middle, or at the end of the fret?
Just to be clear, the "fret" is the metal bar. So on a right-handed bass, your white arrow is pointed at the 11th fret. You don't measure from any of the dots you have added.Originally Posted by Tino
You measure from where the string comes off the nut...
...to the middle of the 12th fret.
I measure along the course of the G string, which would be where I put the orange arrow.
Doubling that measure will give you the exact scale length. I measure the along the G string because it's the one that will be 30 inches on a 30 inch scale. All the other strings will be a little longer which you compensate for by adjusting the bridge saddles.
Nuts and saddles get measured where the string comes off. The fret gets measured in the middle of the metal bar.
You do the measurement from the nut to the 12th fret to test how long the scale length is. For example, if it is exactly 15 inches you have a 30 inch scale. If it is exactly 15.25 inches, then you have a 30.5 inch scale*. You can then measure (a) from the nut to the saddle, or (b) from the 12th fret to the saddle, whichever is easiest. I usually measure from the nut because I find it easier to rest my straight edge against the nut to do the measurement, but either way works.
*this is common on Gibson short scale basses.
Last edited by fender3x; 18-01-2026 at 06:54 AM.
Thank you very much. Greetings from Galicia
No hay de que ;-)
Hi guys: Both your comment and Trevos Davies' have helped me a lot. The only doubt I have left is that you both recommend that to take the measurement from the 12th fret to the saddle, it should be almost at the end. Wouldn't it be more logical for it to be in the middle to have room for adjustment? Sorry for my ignorance.
To correctly intonate the strings it works out that the thicker the string, the longer it needs to be. This can be seen in the image below. The E string is the longest, while the G string is the shortest. On the guitar shown there is about 6 mm difference in length between the G and E strings.
If you put the G string in the middle of the adjustment screw, then the thicker (D, A, E) strings will need to be further back. Then you run the risk of not having enough room for the E string. So, it is best to have the D and A string saddles about the middle of the adjustment screw.
The annoying part is that the scale length is roughly the length of the thinnest string. Therefore, position the G string saddle to be further forward.
I'm sure the saddle used in your kit is the same as in my picture - it has a lot of room for adjustment.
Last edited by Trevor Davies; Yesterday at 07:47 PM.
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