Gibson Byrdland to L-5 transition and back

**plectrum99x** · 09-23-2016, 09:52 AM

Hi,
I own and play 3 L5's (2 L5 ces's and 1 Wes), among others with 25.5" scale lengths, and am considering purchasing a Byrdland. Given the difference in scale lengths between the Byrd and the a aforementioned guitars, I wonder if those of you who play both scale lengths can provide some insight into the difficulty, or lack thereof, in transitioning back and forth?
Thank you in advance.

**Bluedawg** · 09-23-2016, 11:30 AM

Good question ...

I tried out a Byrdland several months ago and loved it

I adapted to the short scale length quickly IIRC ...

but I don't have the pleasure of having one around the house to get a feel for how switching back and forth would be

**BigMikeinNJ** · 09-23-2016, 11:32 AM

I'll be able to tell you after today. I know switching from my normal scale Heritages to the Byrdland I have (a 2000 era with a normal WIDTH neck) is easy as pie... Takes a little doing. Best thing you could do is search out one in a store and try it.

Good luck in your quest

**jads57** · 09-23-2016, 11:34 AM

Given that you own L-5's already, why not just get a L-CES Thineline, and that way no scale length adapting needed!

**Dennis D** · 09-23-2016, 11:38 AM

..shorter scale and narrower fingerboard.....not sure, but believe it's 1/16 ??...

I found the Byrdland a little ' crowded ', but that's just me..

..love the look, that's for sure !!

**plectrum99x** · 09-23-2016, 12:06 PM

Thank you all. I am interested in new, and I believe that their necks are the same width as the L5.

**Woody Sound** · 09-23-2016, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by plectrum99x

Thank you all. I am interested in new, and I believe that their necks are the same width as the L5.

Here's an older thread:

https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...and-necks.html

**gianluca** · 09-23-2016, 12:38 PM

I had the L5 CES for three years, loved it.
one year ago I sold it and a couple of weeks ago I've bought a Byrdland (I already have a es135): absolutely no problem switching. you don't realize it's shorter; you just feel a great comfort.

**plectrum99x** · 09-23-2016, 02:07 PM

Thank you Bluedawg, Gianluca and others.
I suspect that making a long term transition from an L5 to a Byrd would be rather easy, however, I am concerned that since all of my current arch tops are long scale, and since I switch back and forth among them, that the much shorter scale and resultant diminished fret distance might create a problem. Unfortunately, there are no dealers in my area that carry the Custom Shop Gibsons, and certainly not a Byrd. So I have to rely upon the experience of others and a reasonable online store return policy.

**nopedals** · 09-23-2016, 02:31 PM

They are different guitars, like going from an SUV to a sports car. You will likely find that you can play faster and play stretchier chords on the byrdland, but the L5 works with more playing styles. I would definitely want a byrdland over having a second L5.

Not sure I understand why someone would have three L5s, but that seems to be the over/under on this site ;-)

**BigToe** · 09-23-2016, 02:36 PM

I have trouble switching between 25.5 and 24.75. I seem to approach musical ideas differently on different scale guitars - and I find that distracting in a performance environment. Not sure if I could handle a Byrdland. I prefer all my guitars to have the same scale length, but of course that's not always possible. For me 25" is ideal.

**Woody Sound** · 09-23-2016, 02:41 PM

Of course, TOTA has a normal (24-3/4) byrdland for sale here.

https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/sale/...ong-scale.html

**plectrum99x** · 09-23-2016, 03:06 PM

Thank you for the heads-up, but I am not fond of the Alincos and Blue just won't cut it for me. Furthermore, for the most part, I only buy new.

That said, I am concerned that I might encounter the same experience as Bigtoe switching from one to another. On the other hand, I have a Collings Eastside Deluxe that has a 24 7/8 scale and I find that going from that to an L5 is hardly discernible in terms of scale length. I guess that the only way to answer the question is to buy one that can be returned and give it a try.

As for why I have more than one L5? I do not think that my situation is all that unique, but to reply, one of my L5 CES's is 25 years old (Vintage Sunburst) and one is new(Natural). In addition, I have a Natural finish L5 Wes which provides tonal variance from the CES models that even differ among themselves. It's all about variety, and since economics are not an issue ... why not?

**JazzNote** · 09-23-2016, 03:23 PM

Ive been switching forth an back between 25 1/2 (L5 and LeGrand) and 25 (Johnny Smith) for the past week. Before i have played almost exclusively on 25 1/2 scales for long so in the beginning there were some unwanted dull/dampend sounds on the 25 scale because my fingers sometimes stretched a bit too far. Today it felt much better, although yesterday, apart from some ten minutes on the 25 scale, i first practiced and then played a long gig on the LeGrand with the 25 1/2. However, as the Birdland has an even shorter scale it might prove to be more difficult than what i experience.

**Groyniad** · 09-23-2016, 03:25 PM

so get one already

**plectrum99x** · 09-23-2016, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by Groyniad

so get one already

Have to find one first ... a new one.

**Woody Sound** · 09-23-2016, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by plectrum99x

and since economics are not an issue ... why not?

Ah, that explains it

**339 in june** · 09-23-2016, 04:39 PM

You have (an) L5 ?
Try it tuned down a half step and with a capo for a couple of hours ....

**plectrum99x** · 09-23-2016, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by 339 in june

You have (an) L5 ?
Try it tuned down a half step and with a capo for a couple of hours ....

Hi,
Thank you for your suggestion, but I cannot see how following that approach would assimilate the inter-fret distance of a Byrd, which is the issue at hand.

**339 in june** · 09-23-2016, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by plectrum99x

Hi,
Thank you for your suggestion, but I cannot see how following that approach would assimilate the inter-fret distance of a Byrd, which is the issue at hand.

Using a capo will simulate the shorter scale
That's all !
Forget all you have behind the capo (headstock, extra neck length...)
And don't use the markers on the fretboard, you'll be half step wrong

**plectrum99x** · 09-23-2016, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by 339 in june

Using a capo will simulate the shorter scale
That's all !
Forget all you have behind the capo (headstock, extra neck length...)
And don't use the markers on the fretboard, you'll be half step wrong

Thanks again, but my concern is for the inter-fret distance, and while your approach may provide insight into changes in tonality associated with a shorter scale, as well as the feel of an abbreviated neck, it still will not recreate the physical sense of playing the tighter fret spacing of a Byrd.

**JazzNote** · 09-23-2016, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by plectrum99x

.... associated with a shorter scale, as well as the feel of an abbreviated neck, it still will not recreate the physical sense of playing the tighter fret spacing of a Byrd.

hmmm i'm not sure as i never tried, but logical thinking tells me it will .....

**339 in june** · 09-23-2016, 05:57 PM

Thanks JazzNote !
I have to go to sleep now, sorry.
Further explanation tomorrow if needed (or in the meantime if anybody wants to chime in)

**rob taft** · 09-23-2016, 06:17 PM

I switch between 24", 24 3/4", 25", 25 1/2" and 25 5/8. I should state that I have large hands but for me its 5 minutes of adjustment. My ear however prefers 25 1/2"

**citizenk74** · 09-23-2016, 07:25 PM

In re: 339's post #20, above:

Capoing a 25 1/2" inch scale produces an effective scale length of 24.069"

25.5" divided by 1.0594631 = 24.0687948"

This is somewhat less than 1/2 inch more than the Byrdland's nominal 23 1/2 nominal scale length, but will certainly give you an indication as to whether or not the change might be problematic. It is a cheap and completely reversible experiment.

I hope this helps.