Nut width, fact or fiction

[6stringpickin]

Until recently I was firmly in the 1 3/4 nut width camp and convinced it had to be that over 1 11/16.

Then I bought my used Martin HD28 and decided that I would try to make the change. Interestingly enough (to me at least), I have made the transition between the two without any real problems. In fact I can now pick up either my Greven J35 (1 3/4 nut) or the new Martin HD28 (1 11/16) and play either with ease, flat picking or finger picking.

So anybody else go along with this?

I think in my case it was in my mind and not my fingers or technique. Just one persons take.

Thanks

[Long Jon]

I own both and suck equally on them.

[fishstick_kitty]

I agree with you, I have no problem with 1 11/16 and 1 3/4. I do notice a difference below 1 11/16" and above 1 13/16" though. 1 7/8" is just a tad too wide for me.

I can adapt to anything fairly easily, but to me, the 1.72" width of most Gibsons is perfect. I am always surprised at what a difference a few millimeters makes, but nut width isn't really a dealbreaker for me. I currently own a 1 11/16" a 1.72" and a 1.75" guitar, and switch back and forth between them without issue. I do, however, vastly prefer short scale guitars.

[Bingoccc]

Nut width and neck profile both matter, but I choose to ignore both. I play what's in my hands at the moment.

[tomiv9]

I use nut width as a general guideline, not a hard rule, but I think it really depends on the individual guitar and maker. I am used to 1 11/16 and the majority of the time prefer that. But i have played some guitars with 1.75" nut guitars that i was just as comfortable on. Overall though i prefer the 1 11/16 nut.

[Rosewood99]

Neither fact nor fiction. It's personal preference. I have never felt good with a nut width of 1 11/16.

The Epi is 1.75, and the Gibson is 1-11/16 and I don't notice the difference. The Yairi is 2.1 and it takes a couple of strums to switch

[6stringpickin]

Originally Posted by Bingoccc

Nut width and neck profile both matter, but I choose to ignore both. I play what's in my hands at the moment.

Great statement, the width only seemed to be a concern with me on acoustic. Neither of my electrics (335, Tele) have a 1.75 nut and I really never gave them any thought when I picked them up.

In fact, my Tele has the big baseball bat neck and the 335 has a 60's style thin neck.

Like I said, I think it was all in my head when it came to the acoustic end.

[PajamasMusic]

Seems like both the neck profile and nut width in combination would affect play-ability. Am I off here?

I have no trouble switching between 1-11/16 and 1-3/4 or in between. I do have a bit of trouble stretching to 1.8" however. There I can really feel the difference.

[fazool]

I go back and forth between my 1-3/4 Taylor, my 1-11/16 Martin, 1-7/8 12-string without much issue. Sometimes it takes me a few minutes to adapt, but then it's fine. I do find the 1-3/4 best for me.

[The Blood]

It depends on what you're playing in my view. If its bluegrass or blues, where simple chord forms are used with single lines, with a few double stops, then a narrow string spacing is not only manageable but preferred. With more complex fingerstyle pieces, however, extra spacing is a big help, particularly if you have stubby fingers.

I went from narrow to wide over several decades of playing, but when I went back and played my old Martin, I found the narrower spacing gave a different sound for certain types of riffs. I now believe that closer strings seem to interact better when played together somehow.

One example that comes to mind is with the mandolin chop that's such a big thing in bluegrass rhythm. With the wider necks that you find with some of the older A models, the chop just doesn't sound right. With the narrower necks, the chop sounds more unified and concise. Doesn't seem like it would matter but talk to one of these bluegrass purists and they'll tell you its critical to having the right sound.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Bingoccc

Nut width and neck profile both matter, but I choose to ignore both. I play what's in my hands at the moment.

I play what is in my hands at the moment too but find it easier if the nut width is 1 3/4. A lot has to do with how large, long, etc your fingers are.

[S-10Ken]

I think it is easier to play slide with 1.75 nut width. Other than slide there is little difference to me except I like to play all with the same width for consistency. Probably a mental thing more than anything else.

[Larry Pattis]

See post #7 in this thread:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=408640