1 13/16 neck?

[Steve]

I play a 1 3/4" neck exclusively.  I also have two songs that I play fingerstyle that have a D/F# in them. 

I thumb over on this chord and was curious if any of you that own a Larrivée with a 1 3/4 and 1 13/16 nut find it difficult to do a thumb over on the wider neck?

How does the two different sizes work out for you?

[jiyang71]

When I tried 1 13/16" guitars at shop, wrapping my thumb over the neck was painful. Certainly not impossible, but not comfortable either.

Some tunes (I don't remember the names now) require my thumb to press two strings (5th and 6th).
With my small hands, no success so far.

[CF Larrivee]

My Martin 000-28 Norman Blake has a 1 &13/16" nut, but it also has a somewhat "V" shaped neck, so I don't have any problems with hooking the thumb over. From what I can remember about the 000-60 I used to have, I could hook the thumb over, but it wasn't easy.

[Ratishna]

This issue is less about technique and more about hand size.  I prefer a larger neck and its hard to get the thumb over.  You just twist and flex.

E. Shoaf

[bhika]

You just twist and flex.

E. Shoaf

Ah, the answer to so many of lifes problems.

[expatCanuck]

I bought a 1 13/16" over the 'net around New Year's.  (Not a Larry.)
Figured I could make the adjustment.
Nope.
Sold it shortly thereafter.

Nice instrument.  Nice neck.  But too much like work to get the wrap, and the strings just weren't quite where my left hand thought they'd be.
I now own 4 guitars.  Every one a 1 3/4" neck.  (Tho' I can play 1 11/16" in a pinch.)

- Richard

[Steve]

Thanks for all the input. 

I was going to make a trip and sidetrack to try a 1 13/16" but after these posts and further thought I don't think I'll bother.  Wrapping my thumb is something I need to do and 1 3/4" is not really easy for me to get around anyway. 

Steve  :GRN>

[fitness1]

I don't think nut width is the only variable here.....I see a lot of NEW guitars with the string spacing at the nut pinched in well past where it needs to be.   For example, the Charis I just had for a brief time had the low E pinched in intentionally (I was told this was the standard setup)   I had a hard time wrapping in that one at 1 3/4, while my custom 1 7/8 is no problem at all (and I have pretty small hands....like mens small in a golf glove)  About one in 3 instruments I recieve could have the spacing widened at the nut and still play fine, even in drop tunings

[guitarcrazy]

I find that the 1 13/16" works well for me.  I do a fair amount of D/F# in my limited repertoire, and find no difficulty with the wider nut.  YMMV, but if it is convenient I'd try one.  You never know until you get it in your hands.  J

[pickyfingers]

My Martin 000-28 Norman Blake has a 1 &13/16" nut, but it also has a somewhat "V" shaped neck, so I don't have any problems with hooking the thumb over. From what I can remember about the 000-60 I used to have, I could hook the thumb over, but it wasn't easy.

Egg-zackly. The NB has a great playable neck profile. The only neck that's easier for me to play is my H&D - and that's got a 1 7/8 !

I think a lot of has to do with the neck geomertry, but also technique. The twist & flex comment was right on.

:mellow:

[Steve]

Well I made a trip to the big city of Portland, Oregon.  Thought I would try to find a 000-50 or 60 to try out.

Nobody stocks them, bummer.  I was thinking of selling my OM-21 and L-03R to purchase one of these models, probably a 000-60.  It's hard to find Larrivée guitars to play!

[roknroll]

Well I made a trip to the big city of Portland, Oregon.  Thought I would try to find a 000-50 or 60 to try out.

Nobody stocks them, bummer.  I was thinking of selling my OM-21 and L-03R to purchase one of these models, probably a 000-60.  It's hard to find Larrivée guitars to play!

If I was you, I wouldn't EVER part with the OM-21...That is such a sweet guitar.  I stupidly parted w/ mine a while back.

[stuco]

 

It is hard to wrap around the thumb on a 13/4 neck and I can't imagine playing anything with a bigger nut. 

[Pjmsj21]

I am also considering moving to a guitar with a 1 13/16th's neck and find it hard to even find any to try at all.  I would be curious as to anyone that has moved from a 1 & 3/4 Larrivee neck to the wider LSV fingerstyle guitar as to how easily or difficult they found the process?  I know that neck size discussions are all very unique based upon the size of your hand and one's experience is not transferable but any additional input on this topic would be appreciated.

[danijoe]

I went from playing my OM19 (with a custom 1 11/16 nut width) to the LSV-11E and it took a few days to get used to it. I found it easier to play certain stretches (due to the short scale) and the thumb-over on the D chord did not present a problem.  Since then I have purchased an L-04V (with 1 3/4 nut width) and find I am playing it exclusively but wish it had the neck of the LSV-11E. I guess there is no perfect guitar!

Joe