String Spacing at Bridge? - Page 2

Jmaulz · #16 03-13-2018, 01:39 PM

I wonder if it's a mistake that the Martin website shows a bridge string spacing for the om-21 to be the same as the d-18: 2 5/32". I don't think this is correct.

#17 03-13-2018, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jmaulz

I wonder if it's a mistake that the Martin website shows a bridge string spacing for the om-21 to be the same as the d-18: 2 5/32". I don't think this is correct.

That's the bridge setup for the "high performance taper" used on nearly all Standard Series Martins now.

Jimmy Recard · #18 03-14-2018, 04:27 AM

My life long desire is to find an affordable 16” jumbo with a 2 5/16 bridge and 1 13/16 nut. My search continues.

fitness1 · #19 03-14-2018, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Recard

My life long desire is to find an affordable 16” jumbo with a 2 5/16 bridge and 1 13/16 nut. My search continues.

Santa Cruz FS maybe? Not completely sure of the lower bout measurement, but I think it's close.

I've owned a few guitars with 2 3/8 saddle - comfy for me, but my "normal" is 2 5/16 for steel string and 59 or 60 mm for classical.

drplayer · #20 03-14-2018, 05:42 AM

Until just very recently, 2-1/4" min. was a requirement for me as a fingerstyle player. However, last Fall I found my Custom Shop 0000 in my favorite guitar store and couldn't put it down...I HAD to own it. I bought this guitar strictly on how it sounded and played and had no clue what the actual specs were. Much to my surprise, the string spacing at the saddle turned out to be 2-3/16", and it changed my entire view as to what I really "need".

Since then I've also purchased a 2018 "reimagined" HD-28 (having 2-5/32" spacing), and I can play that fingerstyle just fine...I honestly don't even notice. But, if I were having a guitar built strictly for fingerstyle, I guess I would choose 2-1/4"...though probably more out of habit than out of any preconceived need, because I've already shattered my prior beliefs of what I really need.

Rosewood99 · #21 03-14-2018, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llew

I wouldn't go any smaller than 2 1/4" personally. 2 5/16" is even better for me?

What he said.

Jmaulz · #22 03-14-2018, 02:44 PM

As a pure flatpicker, and all other factors aside, I experienced a considerable improvement in my playing when I went from a OM-21 (2 6/32") to a D-18 (2 5/32"). I wonder if I'd have the same experience going to a HD-28 (2 4/32")? Any thoughts, with regards to flat-picking?

Erithon · #23 03-14-2018, 04:39 PM

Personally I prefer a minimum of 1-3/4" at the nut (1-13/16" or 1-7/8" is even better) and of 2-1/4" at the saddle (2-5/16" or 2-3/8" is even better). If I were having an instrument built, I'd go with 1-13/16" nut and 2-5/16" saddle spacing. I can, and have, played fingerstyle with 1-11/16" nut and 2-1/8" saddle, but I'm glad those years are behind me. Things are cleaner and more comfortable now.

BJBoppin · #24 02-18-2020, 12:52 PM

1 3/4 at nut with 2 3/8 at bridge is a heavenly dimension. You have room to roam. Especially if you work with your hands and as you get older and your hands are chunkier than when you were twenty. There is good reason the pre WWII guitars were wider. Farmers, factory workers, laborers had bigger hands.
Thin neck stuff is a baby boomer thing with wanting to go fast both electric and acoustic. Speed is revered. A wider spacing is built for comfort not speed. String spacing at bridge is too seldom considered by players or mentioned by builders.
Compromise usually wins out by both buyers and builders. Suit yourself of course but if want clarity of note and comfortable ability to make it happen especially as you age, try an acoustic with 2 3/8 bridge string spacing.