Dread or SD with 1-7/8" nut
 

I am used to playing classical width guitars (2" nut). I got my first steel string, a gem of an Eastman E10P with a 1-13/16" nut... WONDERFUL for fingerstyle and very light strumming, muddy for harder strumming.

I want a loud, hard strummer set up with med-heavy tension strings, 1-7/8" nut, 2-5/16" saddle... I know of the Larrivee SD 50/60, and I know I can order custom from many luthiers. Are there any other options close to these specs anyone is aware of?

What do you mean by the term slope shoulder?

The Martin Ditson 111 is an awesome option that fits the bill. Think D-18GE or Authentic meets 12 fret 1 7/8" nut width.

The GE & Authentics have 1 3/4" nuts.

I know this is probably way above your budget, but it's a pretty seriously good guitar... http://www.themusicemporium.com/prod...nta-d-28s.html

Thanks, and the diagrams help.

Hi Larry,

I like to think I am reasonably up to speed on Martins line, but not on this... what model is 12 fret SS with 1-7/8" nut, 2-5/16 saddle (mas o menos)? Regular dread with wide neck would also work for me.

PS: Many excellent members on the AGF forum, but few who take the time you do to consistently provide polite, complete, reasoned responses... thanks for the time and experience you share.

Guys, Martin Ditson and $12,000 customs are sadly WAY out of my humble budget range. I could afford maybe $2,000.

Hi bill...
Thanks for the kind things you said.

The D-18D pictured above is supposedly a 1 7/8'' nut and I'm not sure about the saddle width/spacing.

My friend Martin (the young man playing it) is 6 feet 4 inches tall will very long fingers, and it fits him well. The fingerboard doesn't look as wide when he's playing it as when I am.

It was not a custom order. I don't know how often Martin modifies their production runs and specs on their oft-produced models, but there have been Martins with 1 3/4" and 1 7/8" since the 30s. They even did some of their orchestra models with the 1 7/8" nut.

I had a student who a 1950s D-35S and it had the 1 7/8" nut.

And Martin 12 string guitars normally have a 1 7/8" nut, I believe.





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You might also look at 000s, many of which are 12 fret and have a 1-13/16" nut, and 2-5/16 saddles -

Try a used Martin D-18 S ,,, many were 1 7/8 ths nut width
Under $2k should be no problem.

I owned such a guitar as well as a 1969 D-35S with 1 7/8ths.

My current version is a custom D-18Sv or VS with a 1 13/16ths nut
and a solid peghead, adirondack top.

The Martin D-28s, 18S, and 35S that were made until around 1990. had the 1 7/8" nut width.

they've had this one a while and just put it on clearance. i've played other ditsons, in chicago, california and even london (uk), but this one is beyond words, loud as a cannon, beautiful tone/string separation, headroom to spare and plays like "butta".

http://www.makenmusic.com/product.cf...ID=133&catID=3

keep us posted

Thanks for the link... great price on possibly the best Dread in the world... I would have to take out a mortgage on my Mother in Law... she's a good cook, any willing investors?... I'll throw in a hound dog that fetches the morning paper.

*

Larrivee SD's have the 1 7/8th's nut and offer a completely different tone to add to your choices, outstanding guitars with a very across the board balance that makes them very record able.

http://www.larrivee.com/instruments/...cs/60/SD60.php