#1
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String spacing
Is there a formula/relationship between the string spacing at the nut VS spacing at the saddle.
I believe Stew Mac makes a string spacing ruler to work this out. Is there a formula that is commonly used. Thanks Brian |
#2
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Nope, personal preference - I've seen 1 3/4 nut (approx 1 1/2 spacing) with 2 3/8 saddle spacing, and 1 7/8 nuts (about 1 5/8 spacing) with 2 3/16 saddles.
The longer you play, the more you figure out what feels like home!
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#3
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The way I do it is measure the width at the nut then measure the width at the 12th fret. Lets say it's 44mm at the nut and 53mm at the 12th fret, the width at the bridge should then be 62mm. Of course you then have to subtract the amount that the strings are in from the sides of the neck at the nut. I typically do 2mm on the Low E and 3mm on the high e. So I'll take that 62mm and subtract 5mm which leaves me with 57mm or just a hair under 2 1/4". I'll use this same formula for any width neck.
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#4
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The string spacing at the nut and at the saddle are unrelated to each other. Each one can be whatever you want (within reason) when building a guitar. The combination chosen will affect the width of the fretboard though.
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#5
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Thanks for the formula Osage.
I tried that formula on two guitars and yes they were as per your specs 44/ 53/ 62 however on this particular guitar in question (12) FRET I have the following formula. 1ST FRET 44MM 12 FRET 53MM ALL GOOD SO FAR HOWEVER AT THE SADDLE THE CURRENT OUTSIDE STRING SPACING IS 57MM. (5MM) NARROWER) If I look down the neck from the nut end I do see the strings angled toward the centre of the saddle understandable if by the formula used the strings spacing at the saddle on this guitar is 5mm too narrow. Can I assume that the bridge string slots were originally cut incorrectly? and is there a fix or do I need to start with a new bridge. Thanks Brian |
#6
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I like this question very much.
Let us ask it in a slightly different way....As I now assume from this discussion, that saddle spacing is directly related to the width of the neck at the 12th fret. If the saddle spacing is related to the Fret width at the 12fret...then what is the reasoning for different widths at the 12 fret? As it is totally up to the builder, and independent of nut width.. |
#7
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Quote:
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#8
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Usually the nut slots of E and e are cut 1/8" from the edge of the fretboard and usually the bridge pins are 2 1/8, 2 1/4 or 2 5/16". 2 1/8 usually goes with a 1 11/16 nut width. The other two are preferences by the builder/player. Most common 2 1/4 would be chosen if the nut is 1 3/4. The distance from the string to the edge of the fingerboard usually gradually gets wider as you go up to the body join. I have mine made different than this based on what I find works best for me. That being said it shows that these numbers are variable but there are numbers that are more common than others.
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#9
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Not too much of this makes any sense. There is no formula. Nuts go from 1 5/8” on 60’s Gibson’s to classical’s that are over 2”. The saddle spacing is completely independent. Most range from 2 1/8” to 2 3/8”. Most big companies change by 1/16” on nuts and 1/16” on saddles. Luthier’s will make custom guitars to one’s exact specs within 1/64”. The string spacing on the nut is not standard either but as some have stated most 1 3/4” nut guitars have a 1 1/2” between the two E strings. The width of the neck at the body joint is made in accordance to the width of the saddle spacing to keep the bass and treble strings close to the edges. The neck on a standard dreadnaught like a D-28 (1 11/16” x 2 1/8”) is skinnier than one made to 1937 specs that was 1 3/4” x 2 5/16. There are players that are very particular and then there are guys like Clapton that go from the strat to the classical, to a vintage Martin to his signature Martin without missing a beat. Jackson Brown too changes guitars almost every song with different nut widths and string spacing.
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#10
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Thanks for the feedback, I now get it.
To one point in my earlier comments. If I want to widen the the current saddle spacing/string slots by 1/8 of an inch, is there a standard / quick fix? Brian |
#11
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One rule of thumb is that the width of the fretboard at the 12th fret should be the same (+ or - 1/32" or so) as the overall string spacing at the saddle. Up above, you said that the string spacing at the saddle now is 57 mm. How wide is your fretboard at the 12th fret? If it is also 57 mm (or very close to that), then you don't have much room to widen the the string spacing at the saddle without possibly putting the outside strings too close to the edge of the fretboard along the upper frets. If it's wider than 57 mm, then you may be able to make a new slotted saddle or have one made with the wider spacing you want.
You might want to take a look at this previous thread: https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...slotted+saddle |
#12
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Quote:
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#13
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Whether you can or cannot do that without causing issues is going to come down to how much room you have between the strings and the edges of the fret board.
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Jim 2023 Iris ND-200 maple/adi 2017 Circle Strings 00 bastogne walnut/sinker redwood 2015 Circle Strings Parlor shedua/western red cedar 2009 Bamburg JSB Signature Baritone macassar ebony/carpathian spruce 2004 Taylor XXX-RS indian rosewood/sitka spruce 1988 Martin D-16 mahogany/sitka spruce along with some electrics, zouks, dulcimers, and banjos. YouTube |
#14
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Quote:
The OP is asking about a guitar that is already built, not a new custom build. Unless he want's to reshape the neck, which can be done, then the ratio from the nut to the 12th fret more or less determines the spacing at the bridge. |
#15
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On an existing built guitar, the edge distance from the e strings to the side of the neck is maintained the full length of the neck.
Example if the distance between the e string at the nut and edge of guitar neck is 3/32, then the same relationship should occur at the 12th, to achieve this we slot the saddle and locate the outer strings, The inner strings are typically located on an expanding scale. Steve
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