Multi-scale fingerboard

A multi-scale fingerboard (also called multiple scale length fretboard) is an instrument fretboard which incorporates multiple scale lengths. This allows each of the strings to have a different string tension and thus, balanced tonal characteristics.

The lowest string with the longest length can be strung at a higher tension compared to an equally scaled instrument of a comparable size and construction. The opposite is true with the highest string which experiences a lower tension. This system utilized in guitar fingerboards is identical to that of a piano soundboard and creates the same effect. The tighter lower strings can resonate with clearer lower overtones while the looser higher strings can freely create cleaner higher overtones.