Neck (nut) widths on my Westerly dreads... "feel" vs. "fact"...

[GardMan]

There have been a couple threads recently (and many historically) regarding nut widths on various Guild acoustics... I (and others) have commented on how the standard width for most (not all) Guild acoustics was/is 1-11/16". But, I (and others) have also commented on how much of the neck shaping in the pre-Tacoma factories was done by hand, resulting in some variation in neck widths and profiles (commenting on the "feel" of my dreads necks, and my DV-73 as one such exception to the standard).

So, I thought I would do a little measuring. But first, if I had to rate the "feel" of the necks of my current stable of 8 Guild dreads, spanning the Westerly era on a scale from "narrow and thin" to "wide and chunky," here is how they would fall out:

"Narrow/thin" D-55 < G-37 ~ D-46 ~ D-35 < D-25 < D-50* < D-44** < DV-73 "Wide/chunky"
* But, over-beveling of the fret ends requires the closest string spacing on any of my Guilds
** the D-44 is a little odd... it's neck feels wide side-to-side, but thin front-to-back... and maybe flatter than the others.

So... how do they really measure up? I used a digital caliper to measure the width of the neck, right at the front of the nut. I didn't measure the nut directly, because the width of the nut might not match the neck (I have replaced the nuts on 6, only the D-55 and DV-73 MIGHT have original nuts)... each neck was measured independently 3 times, over a couple of days. I could not see the calipers readout until the measurement was complete... so each measurement should be pretty unbiased. Note that 1-11/16" = 1.688" and 1-3/4" = 1.750" (to 3 significant figures). I don't have a standard to calibrate by caliper... so we have to assume it is accurate (I did zero it before each measurement). In order of neck width (narrow to wide):

1974 D-25M 1.673" SD 0.001
1972 D-35 1.681" SD 0.004
1976 D-50 1.683" SD 0.003
1974 G-37 1.700" SD 0.005
1981 D-46 1.703" SD 0.008 -two measures were 1.697 and 1.700, but the third was 1.713... thus the large SD
1971 D-44 1.704" SD 0.001
1992 D-55 1.707" SD 0.003
1995 DV-73 1.740" SD 0.004

So... what are my conclusions?
First... There is some variation in widths.

Second... the DV-73 REALLY IS an outlier. It is much closer to a 1-3/4" neck than 1-11/16". As mentioned before, Hans had no record of it being ordered that way... so it is likely just a fluke of the hand shaping process.

Third... the measurements do not directly correlate with the "feel" of the neck to my hand. Cases in point: prior to my DV-73, I always felt the D-50 and D-25 had the "chunkiest" necks. But, surprisingly, they are at the narrow end of the widths I measured. The D-55, which "feels" like the slimmest neck, is actually wider than all the others except the DV-73. I would conclude that the front-to-back thickness contributes significantly to the feel of the neck. I can't measure front-to-back with the strings on, so you'll have to wait for those measurements.

 

[Neal]

Very interesting and informative, Dave. Thanks for spending the time to conduct this study.

i would say that this supports the notion that all Guilds, pre CMC-ed Hoboken's and Westerly's in particular, need to be played prior to purchase to determine their "fit" to the player. Which means either driving to the seller, or buying one online with a guaranteed return policy.

I am am discovering way too late in life that I prefer a wider nut width and a shorter scale. Not too many Guilds fit that description (only 12-fret Orpheums come to mind). My '73 D-35, which I have owned since high school, seems particularly narrow to me now.

Neal

 

[mario1956]

My 1970 D-50 is 1.673 at the nut but widens out quickly to 1.700 at the first fret. The profile is a light C shape but doesn't feel any different than my other 1-11/16" instruments.

 

[charliea]

I read silly stuff all the time. Guys will say "I can't play a 1 11/16 neck, I need a 1 3/4", as if 1/16 of an inch divided five ways between the six strings could make a discernible difference! There are tons of variables. Bound/unbound, fret size and shape, neck profile and depth, string spacing at the nut and saddle... I think the only way to know if you like a neck is to try it.

 

[mario1956]

C'mon Charlie. Lighten up a little. Sometimes us guitar weenies like to talk stats even if it really doesn't matter. I'm with you I have guitars from several manufacturers and the neck widths are all over the place despite what the makers say. I like them all and don't even think about it when getting them out to play.