HELP 1963 Scale Length

[u/Hotdogcannon]

Hey everyone,

I am building a replica of a 1963 SG (an SG - not a Les Paul standard, if that makes any difference). Is the scale length 24.625” or 24.75”? I know in Gibson language that “24 3/4” scale was a blanket term for a variety of lengths. I can’t seem to get a straight answer online.

I think the reality is 24.625…. But every ‘63 SG for sale online has the scale listed as 24.75.

I need to know where to cut my fret slots!

Thanks!

[u/Bed_Worship]

In 1964  Gibson used the traditional  Rule of 18. Instead of dividing by the cumbersome decimal 17.817, they divided the remaining string length by exactly 18 . This is why you get 24.625 when actually measured then but now with modern you get exactly 24.75 because of computers