What string spacing is the best for both strumming and string spacing?

[Rosewood99]

I know here are a lot of factors such as size of your fingers, neck shape and size, etc. but is there a general consensus like there sort of is with nut widths (most would say 1 11/16 is for strumming and 1 3/4 and wider for fingerpicking- I know that's generality but that's what I'm after.).

[Tone Gopher]

Spacing at the bridge has a much more significant impact on whether you are equally comfortable strumming and playing fingerstyle. Nut width is all about left hand comfort.

Narrow bridge spacing is best for strumming, I prefer wider spacing for fingerstyle.

For me, the compromise bridge spacing is 2 5/16". Anything narrower than 2 1/4" is too close for fingerstyle - my favorite fingerstyle guitar has 2 3/8".

[kydave]

Lots & lots of people did lots & lots of incredible guitar playing (finger picking, strumming and flatpicking) on 1 11/16" nut/2 1/8" saddle spacing for decades & decades since the '30s prior to this relatively new fad for wide necks.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by kydave

Lots & lots of people did lots & lots of incredible guitar playing (finger picking, strumming and flatpicking) on 1 11/16" nut/2 1/8" saddle spacing for decades & decades since the '30s prior to this relatively new fad for wide necks.

Not doubting that. I'm looking for what is the most common right now.

[kydave]

2 1/8" is probably the most common saddle spacing used by strummers. I say that simply because there are more of this size floating around than others.

[Diamond Dave]

It's only a matter of time before Howard Emerson jumps in and says that nut and bridge spacing is all marketing and you can strum and fingerpick any guitar, and he's right.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Diamond Dave

It's only a matter of time before Howard Emerson jumps in and says that nut and bridge spacing is all marketing and you can strum and fingerpick any guitar, and he's right.

You could use that same reasoning for different shapes of guitars or wood types.

I'm the OP and I'm not arguing that you can strum or fingerpick any guitar. I'm just asking what it the most common string spacing for those who do both.

[Ed422]

Originally Posted by Diamond Dave

It's only a matter of time before Howard Emerson jumps in and says that nut and bridge spacing is all marketing and you can strum and fingerpick any guitar, and he's right.

Pretty tough to argue with. The one *you* find best is the one that is best.... for you. It doesn't matter worth a darn what anyone else plays, has played, or prefers.

A lot of people went a lot of miles on horseback. I'll take my car.

Ed

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Ed422

Pretty tough to argue with. The one *you* find best is the one that is best.... for you. It doesn't matter worth a darn what anyone else plays, has played, or prefers.

A lot of people went a lot of miles on horseback. I'll take my car.

Ed

Everyone is missing my question. I'm not asking which is best. I'm simply wanting to know what is the most common. Two different questions.

[akafloyd]

The D-28 is 2 1/8", the OM-28V is 2 5/16" as is the 00-28VS. I would consider those to be standardish string spacings at the bridge. However, you'll find many, many players finger picking and/or strumming guitars with whatever string spacing they happen to have...

[Ed422]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Everyone is missing my question. I'm not asking which is best. I'm simply wanting to know what is the most common. Two different questions.

In general, wider spacing is used by people who fingerpick and narrower for people who strum. But you said that in your original post. I'm missing what you are asking.

Ed

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Ed422

In general, wider spacing is used by people who fingerpick and narrower for people who strum. But you said that in your original post. I'm missing what you are asking.

Ed

I am asking what string spacing do people most use when they are looking to both strum and fingerpick. Is there a common compromise or not?

[jemartin]

That seems to be the way guitars are built. The dread's were built with 1 11/16, and the concerts and others with at least 1 3/4. I have a jumbo with 1 11/16 nut and it is difficult to fingerpick but generally easier for strumming..however the neck shape feels like a broomstick to me. The 12 fret dread has a 1 3/4 nut (with 2 3/8 at the saddle).. and it is great for fingerpicking and strumming. The GS has a 1 7/8 nut (with 2 1/4 at the saddle).. and it is great for strumming and fingerstyle, but sometimes a bit much getting used to finding that outside treble E string. I don't normally use picks either style of playing (maybe once in a while with a nylon Moshay pick). I have had several guitars with 1 11/16 spacing at the nut, and they are gone.. as will be the jumbo soon. If I had to err on either side.. it would be toward more string spacing. I hate strings buzzing and rattling while trying to make a song sound good for the limited audience that I have.

[MBE]

It totally depends on the player and what they find comfortable.

I have small hands and fingerpick 90% of the time. 1 3/4" is the widest I'll go at the nut and I've owned acoustics with as narrow as 1 5/8" - in fact, I spent 6 years fingerpicking 1 5/8" nut Yairis happily before ever being told I was "doing it wrong".

Joking aside, go with what your fingers tell you feels right. I've met men with fingers twice as thick as mine, and I'm sure they find different nut widths and string spacing comfortable compared to me.

[corlay]

For me, the modern Gibson standard of 1-23/32" nut and 2-3/16" bridge are the most versitile and non-biased dimensions. Martin's pa neck guitars with 1-3/4, 2-3/16 are my second favorite.