Considering a D2hA.

I am having a tough time choosing the nut width. I've tried both but have no clear preference. I play mostly folk, pop and very simple jazz. Is 1 3/4 the preferred standard for this type of guitar? One person told me that 1 3/4 is a more historically accurate nut size.

regards,
sloopG

quote:

Originally posted by sloopG:
I've tried both but have no clear preference.

Then there is not clear answer since it's a personal thing. My personal thing is 1 3/4 for fingerstyle playing.
Rick

I had owned 1 11/16th's to 1 7/8th's. Classical guitars are about 2 to 2 1/8th.

Both of my current guitars are 1 3/4 but only because I can easily make an "A" chord with a little extra room. We probably can get used to anything with a little patience.

One of my favorite width's was 1 23/32nd's on a Bourgeois.

Draw a line with a ruler on a sheet of paper and mark a spot at each width that you are thinking about. Not much difference.

I wouldn't worry about historical accuracy unless you're just collecting. But if you're playing, go for comfort and playability. I find 1 3/4 to be perfect. But to each his own. 1 11/16 is too narrow for me, but if you play enough different nut widths you'll be able to feel which is right for you. Most good guitar stores will have an example of each. And know that the feel of the neck is different from one maker to another, and even within the same maker. Good luck.

my D-2HA is 1-23/32" at the nut, and 2-1/4" string spacing at the saddle. it's the most comfortable guitar i have ever played. great for bluegrass... and just about everything else.

My '08 OM2HC is 1.75, which works well for me.

I could easily get used to the 1 23/32s, but my H&D OM-C is 1.75, as well, so it worked out better that both my OMCs have the same size nut as I play them both about the same amount of time

I have a 2002 D2HA that has the 1 11/16 nut, it has blossomed into an awesome guitar. I love it, but I wish it had the 1 3/4 nut.
My fingers feel so crunched sometimes, especially when stepping on an A chord. It really is a personal decision.

Jazz guitars tended to have wider necks than, say, rock electrics. So, 1 3/4 is in the ballpark. but it's also about neck carve and profile, not just the measurement. You have to feel the neck in the palm of your hand to know. Collings necks vary, even among 1 3/4; there's the Martin semi V, the Gibson rounded neck, the vintage and vintage now deeper V's. Me, I've never played a Collings neck I didn't like. If I were gonna play a lot of jazz and swing (which I do, with a whole lotta other stuff) I'd go for a cutaway OM1A with a vintage now neck. Maybe I'm just sloppy or easy to please when it comes to this aspect, but I go back and forth between an OM1 with a deep V (it's a 99), a CJA with a round neck, and a Grosh strat with a 1 5/8 neck and never flinch. experience, or age? who knows? try 'em. It's the only way to know. tom

Another +1 for 1 23/32" (exactly splitting the difference between 1 11/16 and 1 3/4). As mentioned above, this is the width on a standard Bourgeois guitar (and on a Collings CW). If you can get your hands on either of those, do so.

I have fairly small hands, and the 1 23/32 on my D2G feels just right.

From my experience with Santa Cruz guitars, I thought I needed a 1 3/4" nut; but I found with the Colllings neck, the 1 11/16th" nut is great. It allows me to use my thumb for bass notes with certain chords.

As for the A chord, I do a semi-barre with my ring finger without muffling the e string.

Peace,
Rip

PS. Were Sly and the Family Stone the ones who sang “different strokes for different folks?”

If you truly don't have a personal preference, you might consider resale. From what I have seen it seems easier to sell a guitar with a 1 3/4" nut width.

I had another thought. Why not use a capo and move it up the neck until you find the ideal width for you?
Peace,
Rip