Official Luthiers Forum! http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/ |
|
nut width $ spacing at bridge. http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=14405 |
Page 1 of 1 |
Author: | bob J [ Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:24 pm ] |
Post subject: | |
I have read here that many finger pickers build with a wider nut to increase space between strings. How much difference does an experienced player noticec between a 1 13/16" and 1 7/8" nut? Do players that like the 1 7/8" nut also increase the distance between the strings at the bridge? Why, why not? Better for chubby didgets? |
Author: | Michael Dale Payne [ Wed Nov 07, 2007 12:55 am ] |
Post subject: | |
A lot, even 1 3/4 vs 1 13/16 is noticeable. I really helps in my opinion |
Author: | Hesh [ Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:00 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Good question Bob and I hope that you don't mind if I add a question (related) onto yours please. Every guitar that I have built has had a 1.75" nut with the exception of one. Is this the standard for other builders? Do you build with 1 11/16"? I personally think that I like 1 11/16" better but what I am really asking is where is the majority of the market on this? Thanks. |
Author: | bob J [ Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:18 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Hey Hesh, I like the 1 7/8". Replies I have, in the past, received favor the 1 13/16". Am I stating the right conclusion? |
Author: | David Collins [ Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:43 am ] |
Post subject: | |
I still prefer 1-11/16" as well, though in recent years more and more players are caving in to peer pressure. Switching back to 1-3/4" and larger helps them feel more masculine and tough. It of course has nothing to do with comfort or playability. As a general rule, I can find a way to pass off any preference or opinion that differs from my own as some psychological condition. Really, anywhere from 1-11/16" to 1-3/4" is often within my preferred range, but it depends on so much more. Many old sharp V necks with nut widths around 1-7/8" feel perfectly comfortable and natural to me. The width itself doesn't mean much to me until I pick it up and see what it feels like. Average neck width seems to have shrunk through the 50's and 60's, came back a smidge after the 60's, then started growing back toward 30's and 40's dimensions through the 90's. 1-3/4" has been the larger option over 1-11/16" for a while, though 1-13/16" has been slowly creeping back in. Now it's surprising to me to hear 1-7/8" more commonly mentioned. Of course all these widths have always been around, but there have certainly been general trends. |
Author: | TommyC [ Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:54 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Bob, the only thing I know for sure is that an experienced player will definately be able to tell the difference between 1 13/16 and 1 7/8. |
Author: | Bill Greene [ Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:29 am ] |
Post subject: | |
I'm a 1 23/32 player myself, and although I can certainly function at different widths, I can most definitely tell a difference, and am a bit more comfortable as a player with that extra bit of room. 1 7/8 just feels huge to me. |
Author: | David Newton [ Wed Nov 07, 2007 2:43 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Ha! I had to laugh at the "peer pressure" comment. There is an element of that, I'm sure. Most older players seem to prefer a little wider spacing at the nut. After playing 1-11/16" for most my life, I find 1-3/4" more comfortable, nothing peer pressure about it. Maybe more like "education". Since most custom-built-guitar buyers are more mature, I've settled on 1-3/4 nut and 2-1/4" bridge spacing as "normal" I myself find 2-3/8" bridge a little too wide. I think most young fast flatpicking players will stick with 1-11/16 nut. |
Author: | Rod True [ Wed Nov 07, 2007 5:04 am ] |
Post subject: | |
Of the 4 I've built, 3 are 1-11/16", 1 is 1-3/4". I've always played a guitar with 1-11/16" and when I built that 1-3/4" and test drove it before giving it to my friend, it felt really odd to my hand. Now, it's only 1/16" but it sure made a difference. I'd kind of like to know if there is a standard to which most builders build. What do most factory's build to (I think 1-11/16" or 1-3/4"). I have small hands and I'm pretty sure I'd have a very difficult time playing with a 1-13/16 or 1-7/8 nut width. |
Author: | grumpy [ Wed Nov 07, 2007 5:20 am ] |
Post subject: | |
I think most young fast flatpicking players will stick with 1-11/16 nut. Not from where I stand. A majority of flatpickers, young and old, are now asking for 1-3/4". I myself don't like them, and can't play them. Even 1-11/16" hurts me, physically, after a short period, no matter te shape. My own are 1-9/16" and 1-5/8". anything wider causes severe pain in my left hand... Interestingly, a few years back, discovered that Tony Rice's guitar is a tad under 1-5/8" at the nut, also. Unfortunately, that's the only thing he and I had in common <sigh> Well, that, and a love for high horsepowered black cars <g> We're all a bit different... Also, I find the more experienced, or professional, players, are often the least "fussy" when it comes to neck shape and size. I suspect it's because they have good technique and aren't "choking" the neck as tightly as the rest of us do. |
Page 1 of 1 | All times are UTC - 5 hours |
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group http://www.phpbb.com/ |