1 11/16 vs 1 3/4 - Please Educate an Ignorant guy

[WorksInTheory]

The ignorant guy is me. I don't understand the big difference between a 1 11/16 nut and 1 3/4 nut. If I remember my elementary school math correctly isn't that 1 11/16 vs 1 12/16? Is 1/16 really make that much difference?

[philster]

Your math is right and it doesn't seem like much on paper.  Some folks freak out though when you put the two different necks in their hands, even blindfolded.  The biggest difference is usually, not always but usually at the bridge, where the difference in the distance between each string at the nut is magnified.  That's usually the real reason people feel the 1 3/4 neck is better for fingerpicking.  The extra distance between strings is a very slight "handicap" in the mind of some flatpickers.  It's more work to take the pick the extra distance when flatpicking.  When you get down to it, it shouldn't be enough to really hamper folks, but you can feel the difference, and if you can feel it, why not get the width you are more comfortable with even if 90 percent of it is 100 percent mental  :GRN>

[DrLeeDetroit]

I still remember working out the math as a new guitar player, and thinking it couldn't possibly matter. But it does!

I find I have a preference for the 1 3/4" nut no matter what I'm doing with the guitar. It's certainly easier for fingerstyle (for me), but I find that when I go to the smaller nut for strumming or whatever, I get some strings buzzing against my fingers until I get re-calibrated.

Small difference, but EASY to feel. It should be pretty clear with a little fooling around which one each person prefers (and for what purposes).

[WorksInTheory]

 But the issue is - say I prefer the  1 3/4 (which now I am trying remember all the guitars I ever played and I do sort of recall whenever I played what seemed to be a wider fretboard, the feeling was aaahhhh). Isn't it that you can't just get guitars 1 3/4 cos you like it. I think to get 1 3/4 means you also get non-dreads and non-jumbo's. The issue those are 2 guitar tones I love, esp the Jumbo's. It seems only fingerstyle guitars such as OM and such have 1 3/4. Of course I know there is the customization angle but that's quite expensive and means you buy new which some of us can't afford. (expletives about wedding costs removed here-hehehe).

[Hudman]

But the issue is - say I prefer the  1 3/4 (which now I am trying remember all the guitars I ever played and I do sort of recall whenever I played what seemed to be a wider fretboard, the feeling was aaahhhh). Isn't it that you can't just get guitars 1 3/4 cos you like it. I think to get 1 3/4 means you also get non-dreads and non-jumbo's. The issue those are 2 guitar tones I love, esp the Jumbo's. It seems only fingerstyle guitars such as OM and such have 1 3/4. Of course I know there is the customization angle but that's quite expensive and means you buy new which some of us can't afford. (expletives about wedding costs removed here-hehehe).

You can play fingerstyle on a guitar with a 1 11/16 nut. Some people have really thick fingers and big hands. Most people can handle it with no problem.

Don't worry about the actual nut width. Play as many guitars as possible and buy the one the plays and sounds the best to you. Many factors determine playing comfort:  neck profile, neck shape, fretboard radius, string spacing at the bridge, action, scale length, string gauge, body style and body shape all work together. A 1 3/4 nut may feel thinner than a 1 11/16 nut guitar due to these factors.

[WorksInTheory]

You can play fingerstyle on a guitar with a 1 11/16 nut. Some people have really thick fingers and big hands. Most people can handle it with no problem.

Don't worry about the actual nut width. Play as many guitars as possible and buy the one the plays and sounds the best to you. Many factors determine playing comfort:  neck profile, neck shape, fretboard radius, string spacing at the bridge, action, scale length, string gauge, body style and body shape all work together. A 1 3/4 nut may feel thinner than a 1 11/16 nut guitar due to these factors.

You bring up another great point - fretboard radius. I think I have found that if the fretboard radius or thickness is too thin - playing barre chords for example gets my hand cramped up.

[Tycho]

I don't have a problem alternating between 1 11/16 and 1 3/4.  But I definitely notice the difference when I pick up an SD-50 with its 1 7/8.

[expatCanuck]

Nut width can make a huge difference.  Does for me.
I can play 1 11/16 or 1 13/16.  But it feels cramped or stretched out, respectively.
Can barely play 1 7/8.
But 1 3/4 feels comfortable.

And, yes, fretboard radius and (more importantly, I think), neck shape/thickness will factor in, making what might otherwise be unplayable playable.
(or vice versa).

Play as many instruments as you can -- you'll soon decide what feels best to you.

- Richard

[moo cow]

my first guitar had a 1 11/16 nut (not that i knew that then) and i was in hog heaven. my playing buddys guitar was a 1 3/4 and i ALWAYS loved the way his guitar played. i didn't even know that different spacing existed. i just assumed he had a nicer guitar and it just played better.  THEN, i got a new guitar with 1 3/4 nut and it felt just like my buddy's used too.  hmmm, now i don't even like to play my older guitar because it feels TINY to me. just my observation!!

[WorksInTheory]

Any mini jumbos, jumbos or dreads come standard with 1 3/4?

[moo cow]

most taylor dreads are 1 3/4.  but most other brands seem to go with the 1 11/16 on their dreads.

[joxter]

My Ovation has a 1 10/16" nut, I went to an OM with a 1 12/16" nut and needed a little adjustment time.  I flat pick a finger style pattern on one song I sing: John Prine's "Hello In There", and that's where I had to re-learn the string spacing to hit the right strings with my pick.

I just got my new D-03R with the 1 11/16" nut and my first time playing it I didn't notice any problems or need for an adjustment time.  I picked Hello In There and hit all the right strings, hooray!   ^_^

[DrLeeDetroit]

I believe there are some Martin dreads with 1 3/4" nut, but they are way pricey -- from their Vintage and/or Golden Era lines. The ones I've test driven are really nice-sounding boxes; but out of my price range for sure.