Wide neck electric

[eyesore]

Think I asked this before but my tele is too narrow at the nut and string spacing by the bridge is too narrow . What electric is more comfortable for a fingerpicker? Thanks

[phcorrigan]

My Gretsch G5420TG has a 1-11/16" neck.

[Howard Emerson]

Originally Posted by eyesore

Think I asked this before but my tele is too narrow at the nut and string spacing by the bridge is too narrow . What electric is more comfortable for a fingerpicker? Thanks

There really is not much available when it comes to Tele Bridges to get wider spacing.

As far as necks go, it's really easy if you don't mind assembling your own, or having one assembled for you. Warmoth makes neck up to 1 & 7/8" wide at the nut.

Both my Tele & Strat builds are 1.75" nut width, and both a deep V 'boat neck' as per Warmoth description. They both have SS 6100 fret wire and are strung .013-.054, so they feel like my acoustics.

Here's my Tele build:


And here is my Strat build:


You can always get yourself a different Tele bridge that is a top loader, with the grooved saddle pieces, so that you can set the spacing as wide as possible (and don't even worry about the pickup pole pieces not being in line). Then you can also get a Tele neck from Warmoth and you'd be all set.

It's just money and time, but we're worth it!

Best regards,
Howard "Your Enabler" Emerson

[dnf777]

Early 90s run of Gibson LP-jrs had 1.8” nut. Available on the used market.

[Steve DeRosa]

Some of the Gretsch Professional Series vintage-reissue models have the old-style Space Control bridge, which allows you to set the individual string spacing to your requirements - been using them since 1964, and IME as long as you keep the outer strings close enough to the polepieces for balance (heavier strings - no lighter than 11's, 12's if you can handle them - also recommended) you'll be OK...

[tbeltrans]

This guy seems to specialize in wide string spacing for electric guitars:

https://www.biglouguitar.com/

Tony

[29er]

While they're a far cry from a Tele style guitar I believe most Eastman semi hollow & thin line hollow bodies feature a 1 3/4" nut width. I know both the T64 and T58 have that spec and I think other models do as well.

[tbeltrans]

Today, I just acquired in a trade, a 2015 100th Anniversary Les Paul classic. I grabbed it because it has a wide 1.79" nut. Unbelievable for an electric! That is slightly (but noticeably to my fingers) more than your typical 1 3/4" (1.75") nut.

With the short scale (24.75") wide low frets, and the typical smaller Les Paul body, it is actually a rather comfortable guitar.

Apparently, these wide fretboards were only on that model that year. Fortunately, not many seem to want that wide a nut so this guitar sat at one of the local Music Go Rounds until I came along.

If you can find one, they really aren't too expensive at around $1500 for a nice Les Paul.

Tony

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by tbeltrans

Today, I just acquired in a trade, a 2015 100th Anniversary Les Paul classic. I grabbed it because it has a wide 1.79" nut. Unbelievable for an electric! That is slightly (but noticeably to my fingers) more than your typical 1 3/4" (1.75") nut.

With the short scale (24.75") wide low frets, and the typical smaller Les Paul body, it is actually a rather comfortable guitar.

Apparently, these wide fretboards were only on that model that year. Fortunately, not many seem to want that wide a nut so this guitar sat at one of the local Music Go Rounds until I came along.

If you can find one, they really aren't too expensive at around $1500 for a nice Les Paul.

Tony

Tony, congrats on the Les Paul! Yep, the 2015 model was the year that Gibson went with the wider nut width, among other changes. SGs also had it (not sure about other Gibsons). It's a great recommendation.

[tbeltrans]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Tony, congrats on the Les Paul! Yep, the 2015 model was the year that Gibson went with the wider nut width, among other changes. SGs also had it (not sure about other Gibsons). It's a great recommendation.

Thanks Dru. I never knew that until recently when I encountered the Les Paul that I purchased.

Tony

[ChrisN]

Originally Posted by tbeltrans

Thanks Dru. I never knew that until recently when I encountered the Les Paul that I purchased.

Tony

Nut's wider, but I understood they left the original string spacing from the 1 11/16 neck.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by ChrisN

Nut's wider, but I understood they left the original string spacing from the 1 11/16 neck.

That's my understanding as well, Chris.

[mikealpine]

Vox SSC 33 or 55, they have 1.7” nut widths. Great guitars, if you can find one.

[hatamoto]

Lowden electrics have 43mm

[jim1960]

If the only thing you dislike about your tele is the neck, you can get a wider neck. I own several guitars with necks from Warmoth and they're excellent.