Why a Small Guitar?
The typical electric guitar has six strings and is from 24.5 to 25.5 inches in scale length. So why have a guitar with only five strings and has only a 22.25 inch scale length?
Easier Chords
The first reason is that chords are easier to play for many people. The fingers don’t have to stretch as far down the length of the neck due to the shorter scale length. And the lack of a sixth string allows the strings to be farther apart which can help to finger the chords without buzzing.
But isn’t the loss of the low E string going to cause the chord to sound weird? Actually, for most of the “cowboy” chords the low E is redundant. It does add a fuller sound to the guitar chord but is not necessary for the chord to sound right. If you look on chord charts you’ll see that many times the low E string is not even supposed to be played! When it is played it has to be “barred” using the index finger. Bar chords are hard enough to play!
But isn’t the loss of the low E string going to cause the chord to sound weird? Actually, for most of the “cowboy” chords the low E is redundant. It does add a fuller sound to the guitar chord but is not necessary for the chord to sound right. If you look on chord charts you’ll see that many times the low E string is not even supposed to be played! When it is played it has to be “barred” using the index finger. Bar chords are hard enough to play!
Quicker Lead Melodies
When not playing chords, the shorter scale length and wider string spacing makes fingering individual strings easier.
Massive Bends
Having a shorter scale length allows for easier bending of strings. Bending to provide vibrato while playing melodies is what makes the guitar “sing” and provides much of the appeal of the electric guitar, so being able to bend with ease is nice. Having fewer strings widens the distance between the strings and thus the distance available to bend the string before hitting into another string.
Lighter Weight
A smaller scale length with one less string reduces the overall size and weight of the guitar. Less weight makes the guitar more comfortable to lug around and play. A warning though. To a regular sized guitar player the guitar might seem like a toy or youth-sized guitar. And, some people think that electrics have to be heavy to sound good. Not true!
But Can It "Chug"?
No, it can’t. To make that chugging sound requires the low E string, sometimes even down-tuned to D. You won’t be able to play melodies that move into the low E string’s range either. There are reasons why guitars have six (and even seven or eight) strings, and it is to get these lower notes.
If you need those low notes a lot, maybe consider a seven string or baritone guitar. They will be much larger and heavier though.
If you need those low notes a lot, maybe consider a seven string or baritone guitar. They will be much larger and heavier though.