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Old 01-13-2019, 09:18 AM
KarenB KarenB is offline
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Default Our fingers are so senstiive!

I mean, really. The difference between a 1 11/16 nut and 1 3/4 nut is 1/16th of an inch! That's tiny. Yet it feels different. It's amazing!
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Old 01-13-2019, 09:25 AM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is offline
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You are, of course, correct.
Same thing for string spacing at the saddle, and neck profiles, and, of course 10 thousandths of an inch can be too high or too low when it comes to string action!

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Old 01-13-2019, 09:32 AM
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Methos1979 Methos1979 is offline
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I agree. I notice string spacing differences even more. 2 3/16" feels too tight, 2 5/16" too wide, 2 1/4" is like Goldilocks' porridge - just right! I'm the same with neck shape/carves.

Another thing I'm noticing more and more as my fingerstyle playing improves and matures is just how the tiniest amount of dynamics and tone shaping is achieved with individual finger pressure and/or position changes. A string is a little too hot? Pluck just that one lighter. G string too boxy when capo'd there? Pluck that string at a slightly different angle. Annoying sympathetic vibration and tone on that string over there? Mute with adjacent finger. Things that I never would have even considered a year ago. Now I do it on the fly.
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Old 01-13-2019, 09:41 AM
J. Scott J. Scott is offline
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Funny thing is that I just don’t care about any of it. I have played now for over 50 years. I have played a number of instruments ranging in size from mandolin to upright bass. I might notice the difference between nut sizes and scale length but it won’t affect my performance noticeably.
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Old 01-13-2019, 09:48 AM
rogue3 rogue3 is offline
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I notice the spacing in 11/16 allows for some real subtle string dampening using adjacent fingers.It's a technique.

I also like the luxury of the 3/4 when i want strings to ring out...but adjacent string dampening becomes more of a stretch.

subtle,as the op says,but significant.Different technique.
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Old 01-13-2019, 09:48 AM
joemcg joemcg is offline
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I wonder just how much difference this makes to a beginner? Yes there are definitely some measurements which will frustrate them (string height unplayable, small nut for big, beefy fingers) but in general I wonder if small differences like a 1 11/16 vs 1 3/4 nut makes a difference?

I’m thinking that these things will just lead to confusion for someone starting out.
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Old 01-13-2019, 09:51 AM
llew llew is offline
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I have one guitar with a 1 11/16" nut...but only because that's the way they built the D-18 in '62. I manage just fine but it is a much bigger difference than seems possible at 1/16"...you're right!
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Old 01-13-2019, 10:17 AM
AndrewG AndrewG is offline
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I'm fairly easy to please where string spacing is concerned; obviously there are extremes, but 1/16th extra (1/32 each side), on a nut is insignificant to me.
Action, however, I'm very fussy about-I don't measure anything but adjust until it feels right, and I get the right balance between comfort and tone. I also can't get on with skinny necks; the fatter the better. My ideal is the Fender '51 Nocaster baseball bat. I once owned an '84 D-28 with a good chunky neck, but it seems consumer tastes have changed since, and necks today veer toward the shallower profile.
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Old 01-13-2019, 10:22 AM
AndrewG AndrewG is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Scott View Post
Funny thing is that I just don’t care about any of it. I have played now for over 50 years. I have played a number of instruments ranging in size from mandolin to upright bass. I might notice the difference between nut sizes and scale length but it won’t affect my performance noticeably.
I have also been playing for over 50 years; I didn't care about such stuff as string spacing back then, and I don't now. If it feels right, it is right and I don't scan spec sheets or take a ruler around with me when shopping.
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Old 01-13-2019, 10:25 AM
AndrewG AndrewG is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joemcg View Post
I wonder just how much difference this makes to a beginner? Yes there are definitely some measurements which will frustrate them (string height unplayable, small nut for big, beefy fingers) but in general I wonder if small differences like a 1 11/16 vs 1 3/4 nut makes a difference?

I’m thinking that these things will just lead to confusion for someone starting out.
Yes, this is stuff a beginner doesn't need to know.
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Old 01-13-2019, 10:55 AM
JerryM JerryM is offline
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The most significant thing I have found nut width and spacing aside is scale length. I have some very nice guitars that I no longer play due to the increase in tension something in later years I find affects my hands a great deal. spacing and width I can adapt to on any guitar but not the added tension of full scale.
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Old 01-13-2019, 10:58 AM
Davis Webb Davis Webb is offline
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Absolutely. My 1.8 inch Seagull is vastly different than my ordinary spaced J45. Like 2 different instruments.

I need to get a nylon cutaway though, the strings are either bashing my nails in or busting up my fingertips. The high E is like a cheese slicer. Now I finally realize why DiMeola is touring with a nylon string guitar now.
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Old 01-13-2019, 10:59 AM
Davis Webb Davis Webb is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewG View Post
Yes, this is stuff a beginner doesn't need to know.
Well, I disagree. I hated my first guitar because the action was too high and I knew nothing about setups for the first 30 years of playing. I only learned about setups when I joined AGF. A bad setup can discourage new players, a lot.
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Old 01-13-2019, 11:11 AM
Ozark Ozark is offline
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I am loving my J-15 with the shorter scale length and the minor difference at the nut. Both my Martin and Yamaha are 1-11/16" at the nut and the little bit of difference of the Gibson makes it much more enjoyable for me to play.
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Old 01-13-2019, 11:15 AM
Goodallboy Goodallboy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Scott View Post
Funny thing is that I just don’t care about any of it. I have played now for over 50 years. I have played a number of instruments ranging in size from mandolin to upright bass. I might notice the difference between nut sizes and scale length but it won’t affect my performance noticeably.
Thank you. Like you, these small differences don’t matter to me at all. Additionally, when you throw in string tension as an issue with some, I’m speechless.

We need all kinds now don’t we?
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