Jim Soloway Guitars

The 27-inch scale length is probably the most important design element to the Soloway Swan guitars, and the elongated neck that results from longer scale length is the inspiration for the model name "The Swan". The scale length (the distance from the nut to the bridge) is a critical characteristic of the design of any guitar. The shorter 24 ý-inch scale length that is typical of Gibson guitars make string easier to bend and contribute to the rich tone. The longer 25 ý-inch scale length of Fender guitars help provide the twang and snap that has made them so useful for country players and the bite that has made them a staple of R&B. When PRS first rose to prominence, one of t... (view more)

Jim Soloway Guitars - The 27-inch scale length is probably the most important design element to the Soloway Swan guitars, and the elongated neck that results from longer scale length is the inspiration for the model name "The Swan". The scale length (the distance from the nut to the bridge) is a critical characteristic of the design of any guitar. The shorter 24 ý-inch scale length that is typical of Gibson guitars make string easier to bend and contribute to the rich tone. The longer 25 ý-inch scale length of Fender guitars help provide the twang and snap that has made them so useful for country players and the bite that has made them a staple of R&B. When PRS first rose to prominence, one of the characteristics that set them apart was a then unique 25 inch-scale length that emphasized mid-range tones and provided a compromise between the traditional Gibson and Fender formulae. The 27-inch scale length of the Swan produces a remarkable level of clarity, presence, and articulation that most guitarists have never experienced. When playing a Swan, the notes just seem to jump off the instrument. The Swan Long Neck guitars are not baritones. While they can be very effective in lowered tunings, they are designed to be played at standard pitch. Even with the longer scale length, the Swan was designed to be a very player friendly guitar. A very thin neck profile, a flat fingerboard radius and extra large frets make the Swan extremely easy to play, so easy in fact that most people donýt even notice the extra length. Difficult chords and intervals are still easy to reach, even at the bottom of the neck. The 7-string models get an even greater benefit from the longer scale length. Most 7-string guitars present a choice between two compromises. Either the added string is too loose, producing a muddy tone and poor articulation, or the string has to be too heavy which makes it both much louder than the other six strings and causes intonation issues at the bottom of the neck. The longer scale length of the Swan LN eliminates this compromise and allows the use of a string that produces a balanced tension and volume with the other 6 strings while also providing tonal clarity and proper intonation. (view less)