The slightly shorter scale length makes this Bart Reiter Standard even easier to play, and gives it a more mellow tone overall since the strings are not as tight and the bridge is closer to the center of the head. Of course if you need maximum volume you'll probably want the longer scale, but this short scale version is still a banjo so unless you're competing with a horn section or twin fiddles don't worry, you'll be heard. And for those players with smaller hands, or someone like me, with arthritic fingers, the shorter scale makes a lot of those left-hand moves and chords easier to play quickly and cleanly.