I play a 1 13/16 and while it poses some minor challenges at times, it's great for fingerstyle. Do some of you have a variety of neck widths and does that cause you some grief. I could never play 1 11/16, but I'm wondering if I will regret buying a guitar with 1 3/4. Is it reasonable to switch back and forth. Could this be a big issue.

I play almost all fingerstyle. Though I might try strumming if I had a guitar that I could strum. I don't consider my Collings a strumming guitar.

The Lowden is on route, but I still want to pick up a dry guitar - leaning towards goodall.

Stuart

Stuart,
I have found that the neck shape and profile, as well as the string spacing, play just as much of a role in feel as the nut width.
I have owned a couple of Collings 000's with 1 13/16 and never had any trouble switching to my Goodalls. I did have trouble when I went from the wide Collings to their 1 3/4 neck which has a slightly undersized string spacing at the saddle.
I doubt you will have any problems with a Goodall in this respect.

I have no trouble between 1 13/16 and 1 3/4. The big change is to 1 11/16. I have a D2H with the latter spacing. It is noticable, but I personally do not like the 1 13/16. It is uncomfortable for me. I would think you would be fine with 1 3/4. I find I can move back and forth readily. You can have a luthier make you a new nut with string spacing more to your liking if you prefer the 1 13/16 spacing.

Stuart:

I have a Collings OM2H and a Martin OM28V, and I have had trouble with adjustings to different necsk and these are very similar in terms of dimensions. Consider this: Both guitars have 1 3/4" necks, BUT the Collings has narrower string spacing at the bridge. The Martin's wider string spacing at the saddle, I think, contributes to a wider neck profile all around, and I just have more issues with it than my Collings. My Collings fits my hands like a glove, but the Martin is just not nearly as good a fit, and it is very noticeable to me. There is probably also a slightly thinner profile on the Collings that suits me a bit better on this particular guitar, probably due to the different maker and also the string spacing at the saddle.

That said, I'm wondering what a switch would be like to have a Martin HD28V (with a 1 11/16" neck) instead of my OM28V. That's an open question I don't have an answer to. The V's have a chunkier neck and maybe I wouldn't be bothered at all with the dreadnought (vs. the OM) version.

Mike

Thanks to all. It does sound like it's a bit up in the air, but it seems that between 1 13/16 and 1 3/4 might be alright. Don't even know the width at the saddle for the OOO.

I'll have to check that out.

All the best,

Stuart

Stuart-
My $.02 here.
All three of my Collings have different nut widths:
OM1A = 1-3/4"
OOO2gc = 1-13/16"
Archtop = 1-11/16"

They all feel really good to play (for me). The funny thing is, their neck shapes (not widths) are all different. RickS is right about other things come into play (no pun intended), outside of the nut width. The best thing to do is try the guitar, no matter what the nut width is, and make sure you are comfortable with it and can play it a long time. A certain nut width can feel different from builder to builder because of the things mentioned above.

Ace
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It's not just width; it's carve, profile, feel. On gigs I go from a 1 3/4 neck to a vintage neck to a 1 5/8 Grosh electric with no problem.

Thanks Ace and Sonoman,

Ace, did that cheque ever come in the mail.

Hope so.

And I hope you tried the song. It's a fund song and would suit your playing style.

Stuart

Stuart, I've been going back and forth between a Collings DS which has the same neck width as your 000 & a Lowden with the 45mm neck, for about 7 years & never found a problem.
Both are quite large profile necks & I've found playing them both for long periods(up to 4 hour),no discomfort.
I hope that you enjoy your new Lowden, mine is a lovely old guitar & they seem to love altered tunings.

Marc,

I got a great deal on the Lowden and it was held by a Collector and is in pristine condition. Lovely back wood. But guess what. I don't have it yet.

It's bought and paid for, but it was -31 degrees here last week etc., and I've asked that they wait until the temperature rises to around zero.

There are some disadvantages to living in an igloo.

I drove down to the US recently and tried a brand new O10. I know there is one out there with my name on it, but I believe the tone's differ substantially due to the fact they produced these guitars in four different locations (including George's new factory). Therefore must have used different woods, different builders etc., and I haven't found the sound I'm after. It's so hard to play them here that it might take me years. I don't need a new one as the Lowdens take a beating due to how soft and unprotected the cedar tops are. As you know.

Which model do you have. There was a mint recent O23 that just sold on the acoustic guitar forum for $1600. Incredible price.



Stuart

Stuart, mine is an F32c with spruce & rosewood.
It's from the early 90's & has the original bracing pattern that some people rave about.To me it is just a great all round guitar that can handle just about everything I have needed it for,does'nt mind being dropped into low C tunings then back to standard over the course of an evening,is loud enough for a full-on Irish session with accordions,fiddle etc, & to be honest I'll never be parted with it.
I think you may feel the same way about yours in a few years.
Best wishes, Marc

Should be interesting to see if you are right marc. Always wanted a Lowden, but not an S model. The price was very low, so I thought, buy it and play for a bit, and if it isn't a keeper, I can part with it to finance something else. I'll make a little profit if I do so, even with shipping, taxes and brokerage at boarder.

Hope it surprises me. Played a new O10 and was somewhat dissappointed. Wasn't the sound I was after. But some of the older Lowdens have it.

Maybe I'll get lucky. Mine's a little older. Absolutely mint. Collector.

Still can't ship. Too cold.

Stuart