Aclot 22.8 Inch Scale Electric Guitar Review: A Short Scale Fix Worth Knowing

Introduction

The Aclot 22.8 inch scale electric guitar is a budget-friendly instrument that arrives with some real setup challenges. Out of the box, it plays more like a toy than a proper guitar, with unstable tuning and a nut that is not cut correctly. But with a few targeted fixes, it can become a genuinely playable instrument.

This review covers what is wrong with the guitar, what it takes to fix it, and whether it is worth the effort for players who enjoy a good setup project.

First Impressions

The Aclot 22.8 inch scale electric guitar is a compact instrument designed with a shorter scale length than a standard guitar. It comes with light gauge strings, likely nines, which feel slack and flexible at this scale length. The nut slots are not cut deep enough, which causes the strings to sit too far from the frets in the cowboy chord area. When fretting chords near the headstock, the strings pull wildly out of tune and the guitar sounds generally awful.

The guitar also has a narrow nut width, made for smaller hands, which takes some getting used to. The pickups are low output for most tastes, but they respond better once heavier strings are installed.

The Nut Problem

The most significant issue with this guitar is the nut. The slots are not cut deep enough, so the strings rest too high above the frets. This makes chords in the first few frets sound sharp and unstable, even when the guitar is properly tuned.

Fixing the nut requires opening up the slots with nut files. A set of proper nut files makes the job much faster and more precise than using welding tip cleaner files, which are an affordable alternative but take considerably more time and effort. The process involves choosing the right file gauge for each string, widening and deepening the slots carefully, and testing the tuning after each pass.

The goal is to lower the strings enough that they sit at a comfortable height without buzzing against the frets. It is a delicate operation, but the results are immediately noticeable.

String Gauge and Tension

Short scale guitars have less string tension than full scale instruments, which means lighter strings feel slack and unstable. Heavier strings are the key to making a short scale guitar play properly. This guitar came with light strings, likely nines, which are far too light for a 22.8 inch scale length.

Installing a set of Stringjoy Flyers 11-50 flat wound stainless strings makes a huge difference. The heavier gauge adds tension, which stabilizes the tuning and gives the guitar a warmer, fuller tone. Flat wound strings feel slick and smooth under the fingers, and they produce a thuddy, dead sound that some players find appealing.

The heavier strings also make the guitar more fun to play. Bends are still possible, but they no longer feel cartoonish or out of control. The added tension balances the instrument and makes it feel like a real guitar rather than a carnival prize.

The Setup Process

Beyond the nut and strings, the guitar benefits from a neck shim to improve the angle of the saddles. The neck pocket shows signs of a router running hot, with burn marks from the tooling, but this does not affect the playability. A simple shim made from paper packaging or a business card can improve the saddle angle and reduce buzzing at the 12th fret.

The setup process involves stringing the guitar, tuning it, checking the action, and making small adjustments. It is a satisfying project for anyone who enjoys working on their own instruments. The results are dramatic: the guitar goes from being unplayable to feeling like a proper instrument.

Final Verdict

The Aclot 22.8 inch scale electric guitar is not a great guitar out of the box. It needs work, and it needs the right strings. But with a proper nut setup and a heavier string gauge, it becomes a genuinely fun instrument that is easy to hand to anyone.

It is cute, affordable, and now that it is dialed in, it plays like a real guitar. The pickups are still low output, but they sound better with more metal moving over them. For players who enjoy a setup project and want a compact guitar for travel, practice, or just for fun, this guitar is worth considering.

Buying Advice

If you are comfortable with basic guitar maintenance, the Aclot 22.8 inch scale electric guitar can be a rewarding project. Plan to replace the stock strings with a heavier gauge, ideally 11-50 flat wounds, and be prepared to file the nut slots. A set of proper nut files makes the job much easier, but a budget-friendly welding tip cleaner set can work if you have the patience.

For players who want a guitar that plays well right out of the box, this is not the right choice. But for those who enjoy the process of making an instrument play its best, it offers a lot of value for the price.

Conclusion

The Aclot 22.8 inch scale electric guitar proves that a little setup work can transform a budget instrument. With heavier strings and a properly cut nut, it goes from being a toy to being a guitar. It is not perfect, but it is a lot of fun, and it is a great option for anyone looking for a compact, affordable guitar with room to grow.