Re: Scale length consistency
Two instruments with the same scale length will have identical reaches, assuming the neck width is also close.
Other things can affect feel, of course. I have identical mandolas, same company and model, with some variances on bridge saddle height, affecting string action height at the twelfth fret. When the high A string is at a height of 1mm, I can play effortless chord melody all the way to the final 19th fret. The ones at 1.5mm or higher, definitely not so much. I tend to be conservative on filing down the non-adjustable one-piece bridge, so only two have been thoroughly set up and have settled in to perfection.
I'm lucky to have had a really great technician do the initial setup on my oldest and personal favorite, enabling comparisons with a dialed-in exemplar, and to had very few fret issues to deal with. The nuts also have been consistently well cut.
Re: Scale length consistency
I am still a beginner. So, you can weight my opinions with that.
I wanted to try mandola tunes, hence the inexpensive tenor for me.
I bought the Recording King because, the mid-century vintage
tenor guitars did not satisfy me.
I expect someone with tell us how good the Blueridge, or similar, is.
I did listen to more expensive guitars online. For myself I decided
this is going to be like mandolins. Adding $1000 to the price is not
going to get me the tenor guitar I like the sound of. It takes a lot
more than that to get a good one.
I like the recordings of the old Gibsons and Martins, but I am not
going to take the chance on an antique. If my skills and budget
could justify it, I would choose some great sounding 6-string
guitars. Then I would ask the makers until I found one who
wanted to make a tenor guitar. Collings makes them for off
the rack, but I would be inclined to go with an independent
luthier. There are a lot of really good guitars out there. I think
you will find there are choices.
I expect it might not cost much less than a 6-string, but the
maker might reduce the price some because the tenor would
be a little smaller.
Well, that is what I would do if I could justify buying a good guitar,
but I am going to keep practicing for now.
Re: Scale length consistency
I don't have the experience with your instruments, but the Recording King has
the same nut width as my mandolin. The guitar neck is slightly narrower than
the mandolin neck. It doesn't look like it, because there are only half as many
strings. I have no trouble putting my fingers on the strings.
Of course, the frets are farther apart on the 23 inch scale. I definitely find that
a reach. As you know the fret distance depends on the scale length. Two 23 inch
scales must have the same fret distances (in the 12 note music scale).
Re: Scale length consistency
Thanks for these late night responses - much appreciated. Yes, I think I'll just put cash on the barrelhead and get a god setup, then play for a while. If I'm really taken with it, then I can consider something better down the road. Going back and forth between mandolin and a 23" scale is becoming less of a shock :-) Thanks again, stay safe.