I'm sure this has been answered elsewhere on UTGF, but...

[esmitty]

They should think about making a 14 size that is a 12th fret guitar.

[mgap]

They should think about making a 14 size that is a 12th fret guitar.

I had a 814ce LTD.  It had the 12th fret set up.  I always felt it was not well balanced and had to get rid of it.

[esmitty]

So they do make them, but it might not be the thing I'm looking for.  Thanks for the info.

[FDHog]

I have been through many guitars. I have 2 LP's. One a 60 RI and the other a 59 RI.
I thought I liked the 60 profile, until I started playing the 59 more. Like my Fenders, "C" profile, the more rounded profile seemed easier on my left hand.
I recently switched over to Taylor acoustics (414ce and 814ce), and they seem to be a happy medium for me. Took a while to get used to the neck, but it's very comfortable. Now, I have a hard time with the strings being too close when I go back to my Ovation. The Taylor neck is not as flat backed as the 60 LP, but it is a little wider.
Spend some time playing them then decide.

[Edward]

Hey there esmitty,

Know that you don't have to go 12fret; the "short scale" is the standard scale on all GC-sized guitars (which you can also have with/without a cutaway), and also appears on some BTO'd guits, as well (e.g. I own a ss dred).  While there are not a whole lot of ss non-GC-bodies out there, if you try a GC at your local big-box guitar store you may get an idea of whether that's "enough" of a change to alleviate your playing discomfort.  When you combine ss with light strings and a proper setup, you get a really easy-playing guitar that may be what you're looking for.  Food for thought, anywhoo

Edward

[esmitty]

I did notice that the GC 12 fret and the 14 fret both have the same scale length.  I also saw a video that explained that the 12 fret guitar moves the bridge more toward the middle of the lower bout to give it extra projection.  I guess the only way to figure it out is to play them.  I do like the short scale theory (yeah I know that there is merit in it) but am also open to playing a GA because of their popularity in the worship music genre and the projection that they are bound to get when playing with the band since I never get enough me in my monitor.  I just know that I want more comfort and a guitar that makes sense.

[davwir]

I don't think you mentioned what body shape, brand, nut width or neck type you are currently playing that is giving you discomfort. Might be helpful to know, to offer advice..
I find that larger body sizes can cause more discomfort than scale length sometimes.
You'll find a lot of folks move away from their dreadnaughts and jumbos with age...

[esmitty]

I don't think you mentioned what body shape, brand, nut width or neck type you are currently playing that is giving you discomfort. Might be helpful to know, to offer advice..
I find that larger body sizes can cause more discomfort than scale length sometimes.
You'll find a lot of folks move away from their dreadnaughts and jumbos with age...

Good point.

It is an Alvarez Pro PD -58SCAV which is a dreadnought with a 1 11/16 nut and 25 in scale length. 

Spruce top, mahogany neck, rosewood finger board, and one piece rosewood back and sides if that matters.

[Edward]

Taylor's standard scale is 25 1/2"; their short scale is 24 7/8" ...the latter not being far off from your Alvarez.  Thus, a ss alone isn't going to be that quantitative difference that helps you.

That said, it is the differences in sum that may help you: body size/style ...dreds are, after all, not just on the big side, but the wide waist makes them sit markedly different from Taylors' GA,GS,GC bodies.  As well as the neck shape, with all Taylor necks being identical in shape except for the occasional "slim carve."  And the entire 300-900 series being 1 3/4" nut width unless BTO'd differently, or the 100/200 series at 1 11/16" width.

All to say, try em out   Not saying Taylor will cure your ills (if only, right? ), but there are more than a few folks who play them largely because of how easily they play.  Then add in the other aforementioned aids and hopefully your hand-maladies will be solved, or at least minimized. 

Edward

[esmitty]

I know that I like the Taylor's that I've played.  When you say short scale guitars you are referring to the 12 fret ones or do they make 14 fret ones that are short scale also? Too many to go through them all. 

I know that my LP feels "softer" and "slinkier" under my fingers than my Tele.  I'm only going by that since they are entirely different scale lengths (24.75 on the LP and 25 on the Tele) and the LP has 10's on it while the Tele has 9's.  That being said, I know that electrics and acoustics are entirely different monsters, but it would seem to me that they still have the same basic mechanics.

[esmitty]

BTW, I sure do appreciate the help that everyone is willing to give.  Seems like a great forum to learn from.

[davwir]

When you say short scale guitars you are referring to the 12 fret ones or do they make 14 fret ones that are short scale also? Too many to go through them all. 

Short scale applies to 14 fret instruments too.
"Standard" Grand Concert body guitars are short scale and 14 frets, but Grand Auditorium 14s can be ordered with the short scale option as well.. Its not part of that models standard configuration though..
I think just going away from the Dreadnaught to a more comfortable body may provide what you need, at either scale length..

[Earl]

esmitty, both 12 fret and 14 fret guitars can be either long scale (25.5") or short scale (24.9").  The number of frets where the neck joins the body has nothing to do with scale length (the distance between the nut and saddle).  Long or short scale differ in the spacing between frets, and will mostly affect how the neck feels to your left hand - and the amount of stretch required.  Twelve or fourteen frets to the body it might affect how the guitar sits and feels for you, so try both if you can.

Hope this helps.

[esmitty]

Long or short scale differ in the spacing between frets, and will mostly affect how the neck feels to your left hand - and the amount of stretch required.  Twelve or fourteen frets to the body it might affect how the guitar sits and feels for you, so try both if you can.

Hope this helps.

I've asked this question on a different forum once.  This explains why playing leads on my Tele and letting my LP sit for a month and then going back to the LP or vise versa can be difficult at first.

Okay, so it is good to know that a GA can be ordered short scale.  Thanks.

[esmitty]

So why do the GC guitars have a wider nut than the GA guitars do?