Nut Width For Classical Players on Steel

[poltad]

For those that play multiple styles what is the preferred nut width on a steel string particularly for those players that are primarily classical.

[CoastStrings]

Much can depend on the size and shape of your hand and fingers. I find myself comfortable with a minimum of 1.75 inches.

Some guitars have a 44mm nut width (which actually comes to 1.73 inches) but are advertised as 1.75 inches. I've experienced some difficulties with that width.

I do like Seagulls that have a 1.8 inch nut width.

[Gitfiddlemann]

Originally Posted by poltad

For those that play multiple styles what is the preferred nut width on a steel string particularly for those players that are primarily classical.

If you're a classical player wanting to dabble on steel string styles with a steel string guitar, my recommendation would be to not get overly preoccupied with nut width. Kind of a red herring path to follow.
Much more important is body style and neck shape. Play a few and find out what you're comfortable with. Nut width alone doesn't hold sufficient information for an informed decision.

[jmat]

Originally Posted by poltad

For those that play multiple styles what is the preferred nut width on a steel string particularly for those players that are primarily classical.

1 13/16 for me is best. 1 3/4 is ok. 1 and 11/16 too small. 1 7/8 doable but unnecessary.

That's me.

[Aquilador]

Originally Posted by poltad

For those that play multiple styles what is the preferred nut width on a steel string particularly for those players that are primarily classical.

I specifically chose my Collings 0002H because the nut width is almost identical, as is the size of the guitar, to that of my Antonio Loriente Clarita classical guitar.

I can swap between the two guitars without experiencing fret buzz or misfretting.
The Collings is almost like a steel string classical guitar.

[Cri75!]

Hi, My steel strings are 000 14 fret , 1 3/4 nut with 1.55 string spacing. A 00 joint at 12 fret , 1 13/16 nut with 1.61 string spacing. A parlor (almost 00) 12 fret, 1 3/4 nut with 1.53 strin spacing; but I am planning to increase the string spacing at 1.57. The 00 has the most comfortable neck to play, but the others are ok as well.