2 guitars 2 nut widths

[Rockguy475]

Both my guitars have different nut widths. A 1 11/16 and a 1 3/4. Although I can easily notice a difference when playing I feel very comfortable with both. I am enjoying switching between the 2 (1 day playing the 45 the next playing the custom)

I find this is a big plus too because if anyone ever hands me their guitar to play I will be used to both widths.

I was curious to see if there were other forum members who also had acoustics with different but widths and didn't mind switching between the two. I have a friends who will not own a guitar unless the nut width is 1 3/4 and I think that's just crazy but they just don't feel comfortable on 1 11/16 necks.

[Bingoccc]

Nut width and neck profile are two things I've chosen to ignore. I have fairly large hands and I move from mandolin to different 6 string widths to a 12 string. Obviously, I'm not always playing in open position and string spacing widens as you move up the neck too. There is a moment needed to "shift gears" but it's not something I notice much.

[Chase M]

I'm the same way. I can switch back and forth without a learning curve. I know some guys that don't do it, they swear by one neck width. Neck width and string spacing are never a huge deal to me. As above just a moment to "shift gears" is needed.

[Earl49]

I started out on 1-11/16" necks and dreadnoughts and was quite happy for years. I could switch back and forth just fine.

Then around age 45 I started to get some arthritis in my left hand. Suddenly only a 1-3/4" neck would work comfortably for me. This also was around the time that I started taking Taylor guitars more seriously, so the overall neck shape could have factored in too. All I know is that I could pick up one of my Martins and after 15-20 minutes my left hand would ache for the rest of the day. But if I picked up one of my Taylor's first I could play for hours without any pain. I didn't do anything but take notice for a couple of years, hoping this was just a coincidence, but eventually parted with all but one Martin. Now I will only consider a 1-3/4" neck - or a bit wider.

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by Rockguy475

Both my guitars have different nut widths. A 1 11/16 and a 1 3/4. Although I can easily notice a difference when playing I feel very comfortable with both. I am enjoying switching between the 2 (1 day playing the 45 the next playing the custom)

I find this is a big plus too because if anyone ever hands me their guitar to play I will be used to both widths.

I was curious to see if there were other forum members who also had acoustics with different but widths and didn't mind switching between the two. I have a friends who will not own a guitar unless the nut width is 1 3/4 and I think that's just crazy but they just don't feel comfortable on 1 11/16 necks.

Hi Rockguy…

All my acoustics have a 1¾" nut, and all my electrics have a 1¹¹/₁₆" nut.

I don't play solo fingerstyle on the electrics, or backing rhythm on the acoustic, so there is not a conflict. When I play fingerstyle on guitars with a 1¹¹/₁₆" (or smaller) nut I find myself wrestling with the instrument and focusing on the fingerings instead of just playing music.

[brencat]

I have 1 3/4" and 1.725" nut guitars and play them without issue. More important than the nut is the neck profile...it needs to be substantial enough top to bottom (medium/fat C or soft mod-v are ideal) to fill my hand so I don't have to over squeeze to fret easily.

But...1 11/16 nut with 2 1/8 string spacing on a Low Profile neck is a permanent no fly zone.

[evenkeel]

Another in the "what works for you" column. Some players seem very sensitive to nut width. Others like me, not so much. I have or had 1 3/4", 1 11/16". Different profiles, V shape, rounded C, various thicknesses, etc. and all seem to work ok. When gigging I bounce back and forth between a 6 string, a 12 string and a uke. I also seem to muddle thru that just fine.

[Von Beerhofen]

my acoustics come in 3 varieties, 11/16th, 3/4th and 13/16th. The narrower necks all have slim profiles, but the widest is even slimmer then all, the 3/4th necks are all quite chunky.
The narrowest are my earliest guitars which I've played most of my life and although I never measured it before now I assume my electrics are also 11/16th.
These have always felt most comfortable to me, even when fingerpicking, but after a short ajustment when switching the other necks don't feel less comfortable, even though I feel I must work harder.
Occasionally the fingersetting isn't precise, mainly when I'm not concentrating I fall back into automated narrow play, after all I played that for over 45 years. The wider necks only the past 3 years, so I'll just keep practising with all of em, it can only benefit dexterity.

Ludwig

[Luke_]

I notice more of an adjustment being made when string spacing is changed at the saddle.

In the right hand of course

[6L6]

I have acoustic guitars with 1 11/16" and 1 3/4" nuts. No difficulty switching between them.

FWIW, my 2011 Collings D2HA is 1 3/4" and my 2014 Collings D2HA is 1 11/16". No problem going between them!

[rick-slo]

Originally Posted by Rockguy475

Both my guitars have different nut widths. A 1 11/16 and a 1 3/4. Although I can easily notice a difference when playing I feel very comfortable with both. I am enjoying switching between the 2 (1 day playing the 45 the next playing the custom)

I find this is a big plus too because if anyone ever hands me their guitar to play I will be used to both widths.

I was curious to see if there were other forum members who also had acoustics with different but widths and didn't mind switching between the two. I have a friends who will not own a guitar unless the nut width is 1 3/4 and I think that's just crazy but they just don't feel comfortable on 1 11/16 necks.

A 1/16" nut width variance is probably the least of it when it comes the feel of two different guitar necks. There are other more profound variables.

[Shippy]

I have both a 1 3/4 with 2 1/8 (OM) and 1 11/16 with 2 1/16 (LX1E)

The former is easier for finger style, the latter I find a little more strum friendly. But I can do both on both, I just need 5 minutes to adjust.

The OM is certainly my favourite but both have there place.

Jumping from 2 1/16 to 2 1/4 string spacing might be tougher?

[la palma C]

I switch back and forth between a 1-11/16" Martin neck and 1-23/32" Gibson necks of different profiles. Also just built a parts Tele with a 1.65" nut. I have smaller hands so I really only have trouble with really deep profile necks or really flat necks with 1-3/4" nuts.

[rmyAddison]

Originally Posted by Rockguy475

Both my guitars have different nut widths. A 1 11/16 and a 1 3/4. Although I can easily notice a difference when playing I feel very comfortable with both. I am enjoying switching between the 2 (1 day playing the 45 the next playing the custom)

I find this is a big plus too because if anyone ever hands me their guitar to play I will be used to both widths.

I was curious to see if there were other forum members who also had acoustics with different but widths and didn't mind switching between the two. I have a friends who will not own a guitar unless the nut width is 1 3/4 and I think that's just crazy but they just don't feel comfortable on 1 11/16 necks.

Why is it crazy what works for somebody else? Saying you are crazy for using different nut widths carries the same useless worth !!

I've been playing for 50 years, I have arthritis, nut width counts "for me", 1-11/16" is too narrow, all my Martins are 1-3/4".....guess I'm crazy....

[SFCRetired]

I don't have an issue going between 1 11/16 and 1 3/4. But I have a time going from 1 11/16 and 1 11/16 when the string spacing is different. Throws me off until I adjust.