Recommend a 24" scale guitar

[punkwithflats]

Starting this thread mostly for fun, but I still wanna hear your opinion.

Bass is my main instrument but I got an Ibanez mikro (guitar, not bass) as a songwriting tool, and I wanna upgrade to a real "adult" guitar. I've tried Stratocasters and they're a real stretch for my fingers so I wanna stick to a short scale.

My budget is around $500 I really like Japanese basses, so I figure I'll like Japanese guitars. A MIJ Fender Mustang would be ideal but they're a bit pricey.

Right now I got three guitars on the short list.
MiJ Fernandes strat copy
Squier CV Mustang
Gretsch G5222

I'm leaning towards the Fernandes, but I've heard good things about the Squier. The Gretsch looks the coolest and my gf is really pushing me to buy it. I know it's kinda silly to buy a guitar on looks alone, but like I said, bass is my primary instrument, and the Gretsch would look cool hanging on the wall. Plus it would keep my gf happy.

Which would you pick out of the 3? Or would you recommend something else?

 

[Killing Floor]

The CV Mustang is the only one of your choices with 24” scale I’d that matters.

Of the 3 a Fernandes MiJ Strat is by far a better guitar but Strat scale is 25.5 if that matters.

 

[punkwithflats]

The CV Mustang is the only one of your choices with 24” scale I’d that matters.

Of the 3 a Fernandes MiJ Strat is by far a better guitar but Strat scale is 25.5 if that matters.

The Fernandes is 24"scale. FR-55

 

[punkwithflats]

This is the Fernandes I'm looking at

 

[Killing Floor]

The Fernandes is the best made of the 3. That trem isn’t a concern to me because I’d deck it anyway but YMMV. The Gretsch is cool looking no doubt. Depends on your neck preference too. Can you play any of them?

 

[punkwithflats]

The Fernandes is the best made of the 3. That trem isn’t a concern to me because I’d deck it anyway but YMMV. The Gretsch is cool looking no doubt. Depends on your neck preference too. Can you play any of them?

GC has a Squier but the other 2 are on the internet. I have basses with thick necks and skinny necks and I can switch back and forth without any problems, so I'm not too concerned about neck thickness. As far as the trem I think it'd be cool to have one, but I'm just starting on guitar so I don't really know.

 

[Five or Six]

Play each one of your suggestions if possible. Basses are a personal choice. I might like a certain bass and you go buy one just like it. Then, you hate it. Just because I like doesn't mean you will, and shouldn't! Take your time. Good luck.

 

[Killing Floor]

GC has a Squier but the other 2 are on the internet. I have basses with thick necks and skinny necks and I can switch back and forth without any problems, so I'm not too concerned about neck thickness. As far as the trem I think it'd be cool to have one, but I'm just starting on guitar so I don't really know.

With Strat type tremolo bridges (or Super Strat type in that case) they take a little time to “float” to tune because the strings and springs oppose tension. But once you get it settled it’s fine until you change strings. But it is cool to have. But if you don’t like it you can add a spring like below. You can see the block is pulled into the wood of the body so it won’t move “up” but you can still push the bar down for that flutter.

 

[Topkat13]

Hmmmm…maybe try Talkguitar.com?

 

[ashtray]

Out of the 3, I’d go with the Fernandes. That said, have you tried a 24.75” scale? Or even a 25” one? Gibson (and Epiphone) tend to use a 24.75” scale, and you definitely notice the difference from a 25.5” scale. Carvin and PRS and some others tend to use a 25” scale, which to me feels perfect.

That said, Jaguars are cool guitars - not sure if your budget allows for Fender version over the Squier. I had a Squier Jaguar and it was shockingly heavy, and it didn’t really do anything for me.

 

[DaveB in VA]

You might get more responses over on the "Guitar players corner!" thread.

 

[shortscalesrule]

Fender/Squier Jaguars (mostly) have 24" scale. There are innumerable Squier variations, most are affordable. Be sure to check scale length; some off the offerings are ostensibly Jazzmaster-based, and the Jazzmaster has the 25.5" scale. I think the Mustang is a fine no-nonsense guitar. For even simpler, some Fender Duo-Sonics have a 24" scale. It's like a Mustang with no tremolo. Again, be careful because some Duo-Sonics have a 22.5" scale.

 

[iiipopes]

What @shortscalesrule said. The only true 24" scale guitars (not 24 and some fraction) that I know about are the Jaguar, some Mustang models, and now a few Duo-sonic models. Look carefully at the specs to make sure the 24" scale is what you are getting.

 

[bassobrutto]

These don't have the classic 60s looks of the CV Jags, but they offer a far wider range of sounds and look pretty cool. They are under $500 new and probably a fair bit cheaper used:

 

[DonaldR]

Don't understand that you are playing bass and have problem with the stretch of a regular guitar scale length. When I switch from playing bass to playing guitar in the same night, I feel like the guitar fretboard is really tiny.

Anyway have a look at used Godin guitars, they usually have 24.75" scale length. I have a Godin Exit 22 (24.75" scale length) and it's a probably the easiest guitar to play, easier than my Gibson Les Paul with same scale length.

 

[allen_m]

Find a Peavey T-15. 23.75 inch scale. Ash body/maple fretboard. Some even came with an amplifier built into the case. Two single coil super ferrite pickups. Made in USA. Prices have been creeping up on these but you might find a deal at a pawn shop or c-list.

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Duo Sonic
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[lunarpollen]

I would go with a Squier Mustang or Jaguar

 

[Dlew919]

I have squier telescope and a strat. They’re terrific. But in your case, get the Gretsch. I love mine.

 

[punkwithflats]

Update: I bought the Fernandes