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#1
08-19-2018, 01:38 PM
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Increasing string spacing on the nut on a Blueridge OM...
I would like to increase the string spacing at the nut to make it more similar to Martin spacing (roughly 36mm vs. 40mm). The nuts themselves are 1&11/16 on the Blueridge OM and 1&3/4 on a Martin OM. Although there is ample room on the Blueridge nut to move the string-spacing outward by roughly 1.5cm on each side - e to E, what happens is that the middle strings (2 & 5, B and A respectively) touch other tuning posts. I am concerned that it may cause strings to break or cause tuning issues.
Does this make this unwise or would it not affect the guitar although the strings will be rubbing other tuners? Is there a practical solution other than get used to it or get rid of it? Thanks! 
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#2
08-19-2018, 03:34 PM
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Once the string goes through the nut it shouldn't matter if the string touches another of the tuning posts. However, if this bothers you, you could put in string tees like you find on a Fender Telecaster.
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#3
08-19-2018, 03:44 PM
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I sold one of those guitars because of the nut width (and it was a great sounding little guitar) so I'm interested that it sounds like you can make this work. Sounds like the strings touching the post problem is a small compromise to make given the improvement you will get in the guitar. I wouldn't worry about it at all.
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2003 Martin OM-42, K&K's 1932 National Style O, K&K's 1930 National Style 1 tricone Square-neck 1951 Rickenbacker Panda lap steel 2014 Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe Ltd, Custom Shop, K&K's 1957 Kay K-27 X-braced jumbo, K&K's 1967 Gretsch 6120 Chet Atkins Nashville 2014 Gold Tone WL-250, Whyte Lade banjo 2024 Mahogany Weissenborn, Jack Stepick Ear Trumpet Labs Edwina Tonedexter
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#4
08-19-2018, 04:49 PM
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Quote:
Crazy thing is if they designed the headstock just a little bit differently it wouldn't be a problem. I'm going to try to have the e & E string come into the nut from the outside and leave the rest going down the middle. Hopefully this will alleviate some of the friction (probably not though).
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#6
08-19-2018, 07:10 PM
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Quote:
__________________
Martin CS-00-18 (2015) Martin OM-28V (2011) Northfield Model M mandolin
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#7
08-19-2018, 07:18 PM
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I have cut new nuts on several Blueridges. It works great, but you must be very careful not to get the strings too far out toward the edge. Depending on your playing style, the strings will slip off the fretboard if they’re too close. I’ve learned over the years, how close I can get them for my style. I’d recommend one of the Stew Mac string spacing guides. They help to accurately equalize the spacing across all the strings.
I have experienced no problems with the strings contacting the posts. Rb
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#8
08-19-2018, 07:30 PM
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extending the spacing at the nut has been done since the 30's, you simply need a custom nut filed properly to space all strings the exact same distance while utilizing the outermost area as a refrence. you will find on the OM-18GE the spacing is very close to the edge of the fretboard, some players have difficulty with this because you risk forcing the string over the fret edge as it is so close. You would not risk anything by doing this. Dan Lashbrook extends the spacing on the nut and saddle by using a scalloped method where each individual string is spaced and intonated properly. I had a OM-21 he did a full setup on and the spacing was too wide for either me or the guitar, (I kept popping the low E off the 3rd fret). Anyway, there is nothing wrong with what you are doing, you could simply get a wider nut that is already cut and remove the wider edges accordingly till it fits properly on the neck then the maximum amount of spacing will be realized.
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#9
12-26-2018, 04:10 PM
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Quote:
Hey just wanted to let you know I did install a new nut & increase the nut spacing by getting a Martin 1 3/4" nut that (E to e) spacing is 1.5" (a slight but noticeable increase) over the 1 11/16th spacing. It plays much better without any issues. Much more comfortable to play considering I prefer the slimmer Blueridge neck vs. Martin neck as well. i love Martins too. Just so expensive...maybe someday.
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#11
12-26-2018, 05:57 PM
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Excellent!! You did well and got the spacing you wanted.
__________________
Taylor V-Class 814ce, 717e BE WHB, 520ce, 454ce, 420 Cedar\Maple, T5z Classic Martin D18E Retro Cordoba C10 Crossover Emerald X20 Rainsong H-OM1000N2 Voyage-Air VAD-04 Custom Les Paul Hot Rod Deville 410, Fishman Loudbox Performer
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#12
12-26-2018, 06:20 PM
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I also did this on my BR-160A. It is the older style with the 1&11/16 nut. I just copied the string spacing of my HD-28 and made a new nut. It worked great.
Dave
__________________
2008 Crafter DV200/NV 2010 Blueridge BR-140A w/Lyric & K&K 2012 Ibanez AC300-LVS 2012 Eastman HE322CE w/K&K 2013 Breedlove Atlas Stage C25/SRe 2015 Epiphone DR-500MCE/NA w/JJB 2016 Gibson J-15 w/K&K 2016 Recording King ROS G9M 2017 Epiphone Masterbilt AJ-45ME/VSS 2018 Yamaha FS-TA 2018 Taylor 110e w/ES2 2018 AMI JM-SG45 w/JJB
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#13
12-26-2018, 06:40 PM
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Sounds like you would be better off with a guitar that has a wider fretboard. Took me a while to learn that myself.
__________________
Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom!
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#14
12-26-2018, 07:32 PM
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Quote:
In contrast to your guitar, mine has slightly stout full C profile, about 0.86" at the first fret. I find it comfy, but probably wouldn't go bigger. Slim profile necks give me hand cramps. One size doesn't fit all.
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