dcnmark

Sorry I gave you the wrong answer. The distance from the nut to the 12th fret is 12 19/32. Then you double this figure to get the real scale length which in this case is 12.59375 X 2 = 25.1875 and that is significantly different. My 2003 L5 measures. 12 22/32. They are not even close by pure intonation standards. I know GIbson must have some answer but I guess they don't or don't care.

I measured both my Gibson L5's one from 2003 and the other from 1938. They are not exactly 25.5 at all. The distance to the 12 fret from the nut is 25 19/32, per my highly accurate machine-made steel ruler going to 64ths. My fret scale tool in the stop also says this. My question is if they are simply rounding the number or is supposed to be exact? I realize early L5's from the 20'a had a 24 3/4 scale. I also know that over the years Gibson varies is 24 3/4 scale length, but the L5 is listed as 25.5. I take any opinions thoughts or real data?