What is your preferred nut width?

[KarenB]

1 11/16. Seems like this size nut width is going the way of the dodo. Especially when I play with a capo on, it makes a difference.

[MakingMusic]

Before I figured it all out, I was buying guitars with both 1.75 and 1 11/16 nut widths. I have now landed on 1.75 as my preferred width but I find I can move back and forth between the different sizes after a few minutes of fumbling.

[jrb715]

I checked 1 11/16 in the poll. But my greatly preferred width is 1 23/32. 1 3/4 is just uncomfortable enough for me to notice it occasionally when playing: not significantly and not enough to matter in most of the tunes I play--but still a little uncomfortable. I only have one 1 3/4 guitar: a Collings CJ35. I knew I'd have to adjust a bit, but didn't care because the sound was sensational; and I have no regrets, though I sure wish I could have got it in 1 23/32. 1 11/16 is an acceptable substitute for me and I have three guitars in that nut width. But 1 23/32 is my sweet spot. It's where I feel at home playing a guitar. It doesn't really matter to me that I can adjust to the other nut widths. Every time I'd choose a 1 23/32 nut instead; and I've preferred to wait--and wait--and order that width, as I have with two Collings OMs. Grateful it is primarily the standard nut width that many Huss & Daltons come in.

[nchin241]

Have no idea how folks used to play old Gibsons from the late 60's with 1 9/16" nuts widths. I have pretty small fingers and even then I'm struggling to play anything but cowboy chords on them.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by nchin241

Have no idea how folks used to play old Gibsons from the late 60's with 1 9/16" nuts widths. I have pretty small fingers and even then I'm struggling to play anything but cowboy chords on them.

Try playing some altered-/extended-voicing jazz chords or high-speed single-string lead work in non-"guitar-friendly" keys (the ones with all those nasty flats in the key signature, that the horn players like to jam in) and you'll soon understand their raison d'etre; initially introduced by Epiphone in the late-1930's at the height of the acoustic archtop's popularity (FYI even Martin specified a 1-5/8" neck on their prewar F-Series archtops), they would find their heyday a quarter-century later, a time when virtuoso jazz guitar overlapped the first generation of rock-guitar heroes. The bottom line is that you need to use a classical string-players' left-hand technique, playing well up on the fingertips rather than "flat-fingered," and if you're a multi-instrumentalist who doubles on narrow-necked instruments (mandolin, 4-string banjo, violin, ukulele, et al.) it's more a matter of de-compartmentalizing your approach; if you can learn to get up on the tips of your fingers to handle the string spacing of a mandolin or fiddle, you can easily do the same on a guitar - IME you'll also reap the fringe benefits of cleaner articulation (regardless of neck width) and faster upper-position chord transitions...

Sometimes you just gotta break away from the herd...

[jmat]

Another 1 13/16

[virob]

I've tried 1 11/16, 1 3/4 and 1 13/16. If I had to choose, it would be 1 3/4, but the sweet spot for me might be 1 25/32, would like to try that.

[aeisen93]

I don't even know what the nut widths are on my guitars. I just buy guitars that feel good when I play them!

[whvick]

For years I just played and did know even know about nut width. I knew I liked some guitar necks more than others. My Classical, my Taylor and some Seagulls. Martins sounded great but felt a little cramped.
So know I know I like 1.75-1.8 with steel, and 2.0 with nylon.

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by virob

I've tried 1 11/16, 1 3/4 and 1 13/16. If I had to choose, it would be 1 3/4, but the sweet spot for me might be 1 25/32, would like to try that.

You wouldn't think that a 32nd of an inch would make a difference but I know my sweet spot is 1 and 23/32. I had a custom guitar made for me last year with a 25" scale and a low profile, very soft v shape neck and 2 and 1/4 at the saddle. With the string spacing just as I like it. Very comfortable and playable guitar for me. So, it is nice when all of those specs work together.

Interestingly enough, now when I switch between my three main guitars, (1 and 11/16th, 1 and 23/32nd, and 1 and 3/4) it is very seamless even though they also vary in scale length and neck shape.

Best,
Jayne

[BoneDigger]

I'm on the app, so I can't vote, but honestly I am happy with 1 11/16 or 1 3/4. I own more guitars with 1 3/4, but I have several with 1 11/16 and have zero issues switching back and forth. I guess if I had to choose, I would go with 1 11/16 overall.

[douglasfan1]

Actually my favorite should be 1-13/16" which is slightly larger than 1-3/4". It gives more room for my fingers since I play fingerstyle mostly.

I got a Dreadnought with 1-11/16" nut width. Although I still can play it, I would like to have a little bit bigger if I have choice.

On the other hand, 1-7/8" is too wide, it makes my bar chord very difficult.