What Width Do AGF Women Prefer?

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by 6L6

Would be interested in hearing from our female AGF players which width they prefer.

My wife says she can't tell the difference.

(if she can handle that giganitic neck on her classical I believe her that she can't even perceive a difference of 1/16"

[Erithon]

Originally Posted by fazool

This is based upon the unstated premise that the majority of female players prefer 1-11/16" nut width

First, one must prove that before it can be used as the basis for the claim.

The OP isn't claiming this: the line you quoted is indirect statement i.e. reported speech of someone else by the OP. The OP is rather asking what nut widths female AGF members prefer. No unstated premises

[TKT]

I am far fussier about neck shape, action, degree of radius, fret wire size and shape, and scale length than neck width. If it's 24" scale or less I'll tackle anything up to a OM or hair bigger body size with a big old V neck. I have a few old classicals around 48-52mm and most of my others are 1 3/4. On the older classicals the necks are more squared which I don't care for, and old frets are usually low profile. I love smooth round jumbo frets best. If I could actually play the dang things I'd probably be more particular.

[Kh1967]

I have 1 3/4" and 1 11/16". I prefer the 1 11/16", but for the guitars I gravitate toward, the larger nut is more readily available.

[LadysSolo]

If the neck shape is comfortable, I prefer 1 11/16" nut width but will deal with 1 3/4". Scale length and lower bout width is more of an issue, however (I prefer parlor guitars.)

[CodyToonz]

My wife plays classical. 2" nut. As I'm a Taylor fan, I've offered to get her one of the Nylon Taylors. Says she could never play a 1 3/4" width.

[chicfarmer1]

1 11/16" and 1 3/4" are both fine, slight preference for the larger nut.

To me, comfort isn't defined by nut width or string spacing: it's about overall ergonomics, including body depth and lower bout dimensions. I don't much like certain neck profiles, esp. relatively flat and wide (Martin).

Re lower bout: I am happy on a J-200! Skinny nut, big bout, somehow it works.

[AndrewG]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inBKFMB-yPg

[amyFB]

I just measured the range of nut widths on my collection and they are either 1-3/4 or one ruler tick mark skinnier or wider.

For me it is the profile of the neck that makes the difference.

[fazool]

Originally Posted by Erithon

The OP isn't claiming this: the line you quoted is indirect statement i.e. reported speech of someone else by the OP. The OP is rather asking what nut widths female AGF members prefer. No unstated premises

I am not addressing the question about what is preferred.

I am addressing the foundational claim, before that, that some "well known store owner" made proclaiming that women are being driven away from guitars because they prefer a narrower nut width which was exactly the unstated premise upon his claim.


I thought that was very clear.

[KevWind]

I do not know what the nut width is on any of my guitars or my wife's Taylor 714

I do know that I am skeptical that a 1/16 of inch difference is going to eliminate an entire class of possible buyer .

[ChrisE]

I don't mean to generalize here but...I somehow imagine that women players would care more about comfort, tone and playability when shopping for a guitar than they would about specs.

[chicfarmer1]

Originally Posted by ChrisE

I somehow imagine that women players would care more about comfort, tone and playability when shopping for a guitar than they would about specs.

How would this possibly differ from male players? So I guess I do take issue with the OP store owner's opinion.

[fazool]

Originally Posted by chicfarmer1

... I do take issue with the OP store owner's opinion.

That was my response, as well.

Some clueless, out-of-touch old codger with this "girlies like little guitars cuz they're weak and delicate, bah!"

[ChrisE]

Originally Posted by chicfarmer1

How would this possibly differ from male players? So I guess I do take issue with the OP store owner's opinion.

Because this forum and others are full of thousands and thousands of posts from mostly males discussing specs and how they won't even look at a guitar if its specs aren't what they like.