Guitar question - standard nut width? Or extra-wide?

[Greenman72]

(Sorry. I know it ain't "TalkGuitar", but I don't know where else to ask this, and I figure a lot of you have experienced this before.)

Like most of us, I started with guitar. That lasted about a week, because I have big giant sausage fingers and couldn't chord very well. Shortly after, I learned about this strange contraption called a "bass" guitar, and....the rest is history.

Now I'm thinking that I want to play a little guitar again. (I don't want to be EVH or SRV, but I'd like to be able to play the rhythm pieces of my favorite songs and fill in when necessary.)

Here's the rub: I can pick between two guitars--one with a standard 43mm nut, and one with 48mm nut. (Yes, the 48mm is a six-string.) The 48mm is easier to play, but everybody else in the world uses 43, which comes with certain problems.

What would you do? Learn how to play the 43? Like everyone else? Or go with what's comfortable?

 

[Greenman72]

Just FYI - 43mm = 1-11/16 inch, or 1.6875 inch.
48mm = 1 3/4 inch, or 1,75 inch.

They also have 52mm (2 inch) and 54 mm (2 1/8 inch) available at Big Lou's Guitars.

 

[eddybuzzard]

About half my guitars are 43mm, and the other half are 45mm (1 3/4"),
and I much prefer the 45s, 43s are just too crammed up

Stick to what you know you like

(BTW, I've been tempted by those Big Lou necks a few times now)

 

[Aloe]

I like the 42-43mm, it works better for my style of playing: I'm able to mute unneeded strings with left hand with less efforts and better results.

some players prefer 52mm on the classic guitar tho, for their technique it works better.

 

[mikeoso]

There are lots of guitars out there at 1 11/16, 1 3/4, and a few at 1 7/8 and even 2", though that's more typical of classical guitars. Just find what you like and play it. There's no "standard" width.

 

[eddybuzzard]

Just FYI - 43mm = 1-11/16 inch, or 1.6875 inch.
48mm = 1 3/4 inch, or 1,75 inch.

They also have 52mm (2 inch) and 54 mm (2 1/8 inch) available at Big Lou's Guitars.

48mm is actually considered a 1 7/8"

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[KidAmnesia]

IMHO this kind of specs make a difference at a prety high level of technical porficiency. If you just want to be able to strum a few chords I don't think it will affect you.

I like wider nuts both on guitar and bass, but adapting to a narrower neck never takes me more than a few minutes. And I'm still as mediocre as with my foavourite specs.

I vote you play the guitar you like the most (carrots).

 

[larrysb]

I prefer the wide nut, especially on acoustic 6-strings. I like to finger pick. My two OM size Martins have the 1.75" (44.5mm) nut. Find it more comfortable. It is unusual to find electric 6-strings with the wider nut, but they do exist. Lighter strings make it a little easier.