Helpful tips

How do you calculate string spacing on a nut?

How do you calculate string spacing on a nut?

While there are other methods to determine string spacing, this is one which we call the A – B – C ÷ D formula, as in “A minus B minus C divided by D”. A – Total width of fingerboard at “nut width”. Nut width may be slightly skinnier than overall neck width.

Does guitar nut width matter?

It’s commonly thought that nut width is important with regard to your approach to the guitar e.g. do you play mostly with a pick or play fingerstyle. But for the most part nut width is less important than string spacing as nut width mostly affects the fretting hand and not the picking hand.

How much space should be between guitar strings?

The “action” or distance between the strings and the neck differs among guitar players, but 1.6 mm (0.063 in) is standard for most guitar players.

What determines string spacing?

String spacing is measured from the center of one string to the center of another string; this results in the actual spacing between the lower strings, which are thicker, being smaller than that between the higher strings, which are thinner.

How do you measure string spacing on an acoustic guitar?

To get a rough measurement, take a ruler that measures in millimeters, and measure it between the center of each outer pole (where the low and high E strings pass over). If you want to do it properly, get a proper string spacing rule from Stewmac which locates the correct string positions far more accurately.

Is a wider nut easier to play?

If you have large hands, yes, wide neck guitars are much easier to play. The way you can’t fit a football into a golf hole, you can’t fit large fingers into small frets or string spacings.

What is the distance between the strings and the fretboard called?

action
In the guitar and similar instruments, the action is the distance between the fretboard and the string, which determines how easy it is to sound notes when pressure is applied with the fingertips.

Does string spacing matter?

Whether you’re flatpicking or fingerpicking, both of these measurements affect how comfortable your guitar is in your hands. Some people find that narrow nut and narrow string spacing is more comfortable for flatpicking, but other’s want a narrow nut and wider string spacing.

What is the standard width of a guitar nut?

The Most Common Nut Widths on Acoustic Guitars. Acoustic guitars typically have a nut width between 41mm (1.61”) and 47mm (1.85”). The most common or the standard neck width on acoustic guitars is 44mm (1.73” or more commonly referred to as 1 ¾ inches).

What is the best material for guitar nuts?

Ivory is said to be the premium material for guitar nuts, providing the best tone. However, the material is questionable from an ecological point of view, and buying ivory is risking that an elephant or walrus is being killed for it. The only acceptable way to get ivory is what is referred to as fossil ivory .

What are the dimensions of a guitar nut?

Important Acoustic Guitar Dimensions. The nut naturally determines the width between each of the strings on its side of the neck. Not only that, it also sets the height of the strings. It will also affect the sound quality of the strings when they are not fingered. Usual nut widths you’ll find will be about 43mm or 1 11/16″.

What thickness guitar strings should I get?

Guitar string gauges are measured by the thickness of each string in inches. Standard electric guitar strings have a thickness of between 0.009 to 0.010 inches for the high E string to 0.042 to 0.046 inches for the low E string. Any set of electric guitar strings thinner than this are light gauge and any set thicker are heavy gauge.