Widest string spacing on an 1 11/16 nut?

[jpwillD25]

Does anyone know the widest possible string spacing on a D25 with a 1 11/16" nut? My strings are .056, .045, .035, .024, .016, .012.

My current string spacing is 4/16" at the nut and I would like to go to5/16" if possible. Also would the spacing have any bearing on the sound? Any comments?

Thanks,

~Jon

 

[Frosty]

I had a '72 F-50 once with a nut width barely at 1 11/16. Kind tough for me to play in 1st position - the spacing varied from narrow on the trebles to wider on the bass. Maybe set up for a flatpicker, but no good for this fingerpicker.

But "my guy" put the strings even at 5/16" on center and it worked! Made all the difference in playability. Cutting a new nut should not be an expensive repair. If you don't like it, glue the old nut back.

Good luck Jon, let us know how it works out!

 

[jpwillD25]

Thanks Frosty.

My concern was that 5/16" spacing would put the high and low E strings to close to the edge of the fingerboard. I tried to measure the spacing on paper and it looks like there may be 1/16" left on each side. Was not sure if that would still be playable.

~Jon

 

[Frosty]

Was not sure if that would still be playable.

Jon, I think it depends to some extent upon your fretting hand technique and the way the frets were dressed. That is, the concern might be whether or not the E strings would slip over the edges of the fingerboard. I think an experienced repair person could make a determination - but it is possible in my experience.

 

[Punkybub]

I've had a new nut cut for a variety of acoustics to get more finger room, and from what I've seen each guitar is different, depending on the fret dressing like Frosty said. Sometimes they're cut so the useable portion goes almost to the edge of the fingerboard and drops off quickly, sometimes they kinda slope off. Usually I figure out where the slope of the edge of the fret starts and then have the nut cut so the string is just inside of the useable portion of the fret.

Makes a big difference - often makes an otherwise PITA-to-play guitar a sweetie... :mrgreen: