What is scale length?
Scale length is commonly defined as the effective vibrating length of the string; in other words, the precise distance from where the string touches the nut to where the string touches the saddle or bridge. Scale length is more precisely defined as double the distance from the nut to the octave fret; on a dulcimer, this is the 7th fret, and on a guitar this would be the 12th fret. The actual distance from the nut to the saddle is normally slightly longer for proper intonation.
