Everyone loves to play guitar, and so do I. The instrument always helps me to release my tension of life and all the workload I have. It is one of the most popularly used string instruments.
Guitar practicing is widely famous in several nations’ folk and popular music. It is part of the rhythm section in jazz ensembles and is used sometimes as a solo instrument. The guitar is usually amplifying in modern music, and outfits frequently have more than one device, a lead guitar for solos, another for rhythm, and a bass guitar for playing bass lines.
But when one is discussing string instruments, the significant problems arise towards is its proper functioning of their strings. When I was playing my guitar, a thought came to my mind, can we change the guitar’s nut width? Is it even possible to change them? If yes, how to change them.
Can you change the nut width of your guitar? Yes, every nut width has its specific size, which helps you in place of finger space. You change the nut width; there might be a chance that there will be no space for your fingers to operate. And you might end up ruining your instrument. So, it is advised not to change the nut width to its different sized ones.
Nut Width:
Nut width corresponds to a diameter at the handle of the guitar’s neck. String spacing ranges from its low E string to its high E string, and how it stretches as it reaches the saddle. Some companies have taken this calculation at the 14th fret, whereas many at the saddle take it correctly.
Nut width affects how the left hand is feeling, while string length affects the right side. I want to suggest that while the time player is picking up an instrument, you should be sure of the effects of these measures on how an instrument sound. When one has a guitar that they are confident with, take measurements of that guitar and use them as a reference point.
The guitar neck got the most important influence when it comes to the playability of the guitar. A narrow neck can really feel easier for grasping, but it really means that fingers may feel far more crowded during pressing of the guitar strings.
A wide neck offers the fingers far more space, but some stretching if the player wants to reach many chord shapes is probably more difficult. Thus, it’s necessary to pay attention to the guitar’s nut width.
When to Adjust the Nut Width:
The player typically makes adjustments to the nut after setting the bridge, as the heights of the nut width are a function of the overall string angle. The string action height determines the string angle at the bridge. The individual slot depths can be cut so each string can clear the first fret.
One might notice that some guitars fresh off of the showroom floor are a little challenging to play in the first position (at the first five frets). It is because the manufacturer will cut the nut width on the high side on purpose. Then a local guitar tech at the store can adjust them to customer taste. It is much easier to cut a nut slot down than to raise it by either filling the width or shimming the entire nut up.
The Effect of Nut Width That Is Too High:
Nut width that is too high creates a situation where the guitar is difficult to play in the first position. They can also throw off the tuning and intonation. Nut width that is too low will create what many players refer to as a “sitar” effect. Every string isn’t able to clear the first fret and rattles against it, creating a strong buzz similar to a sitar.
In terms of playability, the ideal nut width height is subjective — much like string action height at the bridge. Some players like the width to be cut up a little higher (like slide players), and some players want them cut down as low as possible, so the guitar plays very easy with no fight.
Measuring the Nut Width Heights:
The player can start this process by making sure the guitar is up to pitch. Then read the nut slot depths. As a starting point, shoot for .02” in between the top of the first fret and the bottom of the string at the first fret on the wound strings (low E, A and D), and .018” for the plain strings (high G, B, and E). On acoustic guitars with a wound G, one will also shoot for .018” of space since this a thinner-wound string. Make sure the feeler gauge should place on top of the first fret, sliding underneath each string.
If there is extra space, then the slot is cut too high and will need to come down until the string lightly touches the top of the gauge. If the gauge pushes the string up, the slot will need to fill and re-cut to raise it.
Related Questions:
What Exactly is a ‘Wide Nut’ Guitar?
Generally speaking, a wide nut guitar is defined as any guitar with a diameter at the nut around 1 7/8” or 47.6 mm. The nut itself can be made from a variety of materials (usually plastic, graphite, brass, or bone) and can adjust to control string height in addition to spacing.
While some may feel that the simplest solution to create more space between strings is to replace the nut on a regular guitar with a wider one, this can render the instrument unplayable if its standard neck is not wide enough to accommodate the tapering effect that will result from broader string spacing. A poorly fitted nut, in general, will negatively alter sound on any guitar.
What is the benefit of a Wide Nut?
Some playing styles are best on a Wide Nut. Virtually any guitar playing style is capable of playing on a wide nut design, and the same is usually valid for standard models. However, special techniques are a lot easier to play on a wide nut version.
For example, finger-picking and plucking are more accessible by the wider spacing, helping the player master this style more efficiently. Both picks and plain fingers can use.
What is the nut width on a classical guitar?
Classical guitar neck widths can also vary, but the most common nut width for classical guitars is 51mm (2”). It is to make it easier for playing fingerstyle and because nylon treble strings are more comprehensive than steel treble strings – so the neck needs to be wider to house the broader strings.
Most importantly, this extra width is also helpful due to the extra movement that takes place on a nylon string due to them being under less tension than steel strings.
What kind of Nut Width is best for narrow and thick fingers, respectively?
The 43mm (1 11/16”) width is the best choice for those with narrow fingers. It is usually the most comfortable width for kids, women, and men with more cramped fingers. That doesn’t mean that the player can’t play a full width – it is going to be more challenging.
The 44mm (1 ¾”) width is the best for anyone with thicker fingers. If someone has thicker fingers, then they can also play on the 43mm (1 11/16”) size but might find it more difficult.
I find personally that either of these two sizes works fine for me, but I would say I don’t have overly thick or overly narrow fingers.
Conclusion:
One might face several consequences if they would change the width of your guitar’s nut, as mentioned in the article above, but to summarize, the solution for the issue is as follows for the 1/16th of an inch difference you don’t even need to take the frets out.
It will be less than 1/32” on each side by the 1st fret, and progressively less as the player goes up the neck as they won’t want to change the heel width. One could take down the entire fret end with files or even just coarse sandpaper while you take down the wood, then dress the fret ends again, no point in overcomplicating the issue.
I hope that this blog has given some more information about the nut width of the guitars. It will surely help in the making of decisions as also to which type and size one needs to possess. The type and size can vary, taking into account the various factors which change person to person according to the different preferences.
I hope that this blog has given some more information about the nut width of the guitars. It will surely help in the making of decisions as also to which type and size one needs to possess. The type and size can vary, taking into account the various factors which change person to person according to the different preferences.
After some practicing, I don’t think that anyone would feel the problem of changing the nut width. As the sessions progress, getting to know the instrument is not a big deal. There will be no need to make adjustments.
