Neck/nut width: Guild players unite

[cupric]

I am always fascinated by forum discussion on nut width. It seems that miniscule size difference of neck dimensions can make, or break a otherwise perfect love affair with a new guitar.
To be honest I have never had this problem despite having fairly large paws. If I like a guitar I adjust. I think it is safe to say that I don't even notice the (to me) tiny difference in width. I have been playing Guild for so long, almost exclusively, that small differences in dimensions do not register. I guess I am lucky.
But this is evidently a real thing. It is often the first response/question to a NGD, or a post about someone's favorite player. Like always. Curious!
So here is to all you maestros with the freakishly endowed fingers! This is what I envision as soon as the question is asked:

 

[shihan]

Well, I have big, fat fingers. I have no problem double stopping 6 strings with 3 fingers. If I play a guitar 1 5/8” neck, I can’t help but mute strings I don’t intend to. I’m not much of a finger picker, but I find it impossible to do that in a narrow neck. I can deal with 1 11/16”, but prefer 1 3/4”. But, everyone is different. I’m envious of those that can deal with any neck size.

 

[richardp69]

I'm with you Cupric. Makes little difference to me. I think nut width may likely be significant for accomplished players but I am for sure not that.

 

[jedzep]

I needed something to fall back in love with my F30 and it's narrow string spacing, but fortunately, there was just enough space on the edges to squeeze in a Martin nut. I notice not all Guild necks have that extra couple mm's. I got lucky, for once.

Slots still need lowering. I'll get to it.

 

[walrus]

I've tried 1 5/8" and I can tell the difference. But I don't know how it is possible! It just seems a bit "crowded" for my big mitts.

walrus

 

[cupric]

I've tried 1 5/8" and I can tell the difference. But I don't know how it is possible! It just seems a bit "crowded" for my big mitts.

walrus

I would expect such with a walrus! Big flippers!

 

[walrus]

I would expect such with a walrus! Big flippers!

walrus

 

[GAD]

After measuring hundreds of guitars I have come to learn that neck depth matters more to me than width.

 

[jp]

I'm like you, cupric. I just adjust. I do tend to notice neck profiles, though, and I choose according to that. Guilds generally tend to be perfect for me. They're the only guitars I've ever picked up and felt naturally at home, except for one Gibson LP Classic I once picked up and a PRS SE model.

 

[davismanLV]

Well, I have big, fat fingers. I have no problem double stopping 6 strings with 3 fingers. If I play a guitar 1 5/8” neck, I can’t help but mute strings I don’t intend to. I’m not much of a finger picker, but I find it impossible to do that in a narrow neck. I can deal with 1 11/16”, but prefer 1 3/4”. But, everyone is different. I’m envious of those that can deal with any neck size.

^^^ this right here. My hands aren't huge but they sure aren't small. Both Guilds were spec'd at 1 11/16ths but they're 1 3/4. However, the string spacing is for 1 11/16ths. So a teeny tiny bit of extra on each side of the high and low strings. Super easy. My Taylor is 1 3/4 with string spacing to match and I had to learn not to go off the sides on the high and low strings. I've tried a couple of 1 5/8ths guitars and it's just too tight with muting too many strings unintentionally. I already get A major with two fingers, so..... it matters to me.

 

[teleharmonium]

I recently got a Gretsch with a 1 3/4" nut and a chunky profile, and it has made a big impact in my playing, more than I expected.

I've been using a Ric 660 with the same nut width for years in a couple bands, which I like but it wasn't as big a difference.

Now, it takes me a while to adapt to my other guitars including most of my Guilds. And it's not really an enjoyable process. I think it's a truism of human nature that we instantly raise our standards when circumstances allow, but have a hard time lowering them again later.

My hands are average or maybe a little on the large side. I think part of it is that my first instruments were upright bass, then bass guitar, where you have room to play without feeling the adjacent strings with the fingertip you are using.

 

[teleharmonium]

Oh, also I play exclusively in an alternate tuning, so my chord shapes are weird, and I'm always combination or finger picking.

 

[kitniyatran]

From August 12, 2013:

When looking at string spread it is not only nut width but string spacing at the saddle which for whatever reason folks often seem to overlook.

I have a theory, untested, that in many cases a good luthier could reslot or replace the nut & saddle for a wider feel at the same width.

 

[kitniyatran]

So, here's how it all worked out... (Guild D40 / F50R)

Hey, my name is Jackson Quinn. I posted on this forum initially several months ago, to get some advice on a D40 Standard I was going to buy. I had some problems, and eventually contacted Guild directly. It's a much more complex story than that, but I'm not going to get into it here. The end...

letstalkguild.com

Coming into a little money - got GAS

Actually, if you can you should probably try a Guild D40-Standard, very nice guitars. Though you see them about at around $2K, you should be able to find one within your budget. (If not, Chazmo and I know a nice little music store that has one or so...LOL) With all defference to Charliea, I...

letstalkguild.com

And from July 27, 2013:

Yep. Mandolins can range in nut width from one inch to one & three eighths, but any can be comfortably, even wonderfully playable if they're set up right.

 

[davismanLV]

So.... we can never talk about this again?? I mean I know most things have been brought up before, but.... if that's the case, we'll never discuss anything ever again!! And that would be bad, right?

Right??

 

[kitniyatran]

Point being?, a luthier may be able to adjust the nut & saddle one has to fit the hands.

 

[kitniyatran]

Certainly, it can be discussed, I simply thought the old thread info might be relevant and useful.

 

[twocorgis]

Well, I have big, fat fingers. I have no problem double stopping 6 strings with 3 fingers. If I play a guitar 1 5/8” neck, I can’t help but mute strings I don’t intend to. I’m not much of a finger picker, but I find it impossible to do that in a narrow neck. I can deal with 1 11/16”, but prefer 1 3/4”. But, everyone is different. I’m envious of those that can deal with any neck size.

Ditto. There are some 1 11/16" necks that play a little wider because of their profile. I can deal with them, and in fact own quite a few. 1 5/8 is definitely too narrow for my fat fingers though.

 

[hearth_man]

After measuring hundreds of guitars I have come to learn that neck depth matters more to me than width.

Agreed. The thickness/shape makes the biggest difference for me as well. It's surprising to me how much difference it can make. Some necks I can play for hours and not have my hand feel strained or tired. Others I can play for 15 minutes and start to feel cramped.

 

[schoolie]

My D15m was very hard to play with a 1 11/16 nut width. I couldn't understand why since i play guitars with 1 5/8' nut width. When I refretted the guitar, last week, I measured the fretboard radius at 16+". i decided to re-radius the fretboard to 12" and this made the guitar so much easier to play! I wasn't accidentally hitting adjacent strings when chording. So, for me, narrow nuts are ok, but there needs to be some radius to create some space between fingers.