Ever wonder why some guitars feel just right in your hands, while others don’t? A big secret lies in the guitar nut width!
Guitar nut width refers to the measurement across the guitar’s neck at the nut, influencing string spacing and playing comfort.
It’s the space where the strings start near the head of the guitar. Understanding this can help you find the perfect guitar for your hands. Let’s explore the world of guitar nuts and find your best fit!
What Is the Guitar Nut Width?
Nut width in guitars refers to the width of the nut, which is the small strip, usually made of bone, plastic, or metal, located at the end of the guitar’s headstock where the strings sit before they reach the tuning pegs.
This width determines the spacing between the strings at the headstock end of the fretboard, playing a crucial role in how the guitar feels to play, particularly for chord formation and fingerpicking.
Nut width is measured across the guitar neck at the position of the nut. This measurement impacts the spacing between each string, affecting playability, especially for players with smaller or larger hands.
The Most Common Nut Widths for Guitars
Standard nut widths vary depending on the type of guitar. For electric guitars, the common nut width is around 1 11/16 inches (43mm). Being generally used for a variety of playing styles including chords and solos, they tend to have narrower nuts for ease of reach across the fretboard.
Acoustic guitars typically have a slightly wider nut, around 1 3/4 inches (44mm). These measurements can vary between manufacturers and guitar models.
Classical guitars have wider nuts, usually about 2 inches (51mm), to accommodate the wider spacing required for classical fingerstyle playing.
How Nut Width Affects Guitar Playing
Nut width significantly affects playability and comfort. A wider nut provides more space between strings, which can be beneficial for fingerpicking and players with larger fingers. Conversely, a narrower nut can make it easier to form chords and is often preferred by players with smaller hands or those who primarily play rhythm guitar.
Choosing the Perfect Nut Width
When choosing the right nut width, consider your hand size and playing style. Players with larger hands may find wider nuts more comfortable, while those with smaller hands might prefer narrower widths.
Try playing guitars with different nut widths to feel which is most comfortable, especially if you’re playing complex chords or intricate fingerstyle.
For instance, a Fender Stratocaster, popular in rock and blues, typically has a nut width of about 1 11/16 inches, while a Martin D-28, a classic in the acoustic world, today has a nut width of 1 3/4 inches (but had a nut width of 1 11/16 inches between 1939 and 2017). Classical guitars like the Yamaha C40 will have a nut width of approximately 2 inches.
Nut Width Options and Their Characteristics
Nut widths in guitars range from narrow (around 1 5/8 inches or 41mm) to superwide (over 2 inches or 51mm). Narrow widths are commonly found in electric guitars. Wider nuts are typical in classical guitars, catering to fingerstyle playing.
Intermediate widths (around 1 3/4 inches or 44mm) are often seen in acoustic guitars, balancing comfort for chord playing and fingerpicking.
Narrow nut widths facilitate easier reach across the fretboard, beneficial for players with smaller hands or those playing lead guitar. However, they may feel cramped for fingerstyle playing.
Wider nuts offer more room between strings, ideal for classical and fingerstyle players, but can be challenging for players with smaller hands or those who primarily strum chords.
Nut Widths in Popular Guitar Models
Standard Electric Guitar Models
| Guitar Model | Nut Width (mm) | Nut Width (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Ibanez RG | 43 | 1.6929 |
| Ibanez AR | 43 | 1.6929 |
| Ibanez AZ | 42 | 1.6535 |
| Ibanez IC (Iceman) | 48 | 1.8898 |
| Gibson SG Special | 43.053 | 1.695 |
| Gibson Les Paul Gold Top | 43.05 | 1.6949 |
| Gibson Les Paul Special | 43.05 | 1.6949 |
| Gibson ES-335 | 43.053 | 1.695 |
| Gibson Firebird | 43.05 | 1.6949 |
| Gibson Flying V | 43.05 | 1.6949 |
| Gibson Explorer | 43.05 | 1.6949 |
| Fender Stratocaster | 42.8 | 1.685 |
| Fender Telecaster | 42.8 | 1.685 |
| Fender Acoustasonic | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
| Fender Jaguar | 42 | 1.6535 |
| Fender Jazzmaster | 42.8 | 1.685 |
| Fender Duo-Sonic | 42 | 1.6535 |
| Fender Mustang | 42 | 1.6535 |
| Fender Player Lead II | 42 | 1.6535 |
| PRS Silver Sky | 41.275 | 1.6234 |
| PRS Custom 24 | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
| PRS Hollowbody | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
| PRS CE 24 | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
| PRS S2 Standard 22 | 42.0687 | 1.6543 |
| PRS S2 Custom 24 | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
| PRS SE 245 Standard | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
| PRS SE Mira | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
Standard Acoustic Guitar Models
| Guitar Model | Nut Width (mm) | Nut Width (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor GS Mini | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
| Taylor Big Baby (BBT) | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
| Taylor Baby | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
| Taylor Academy 12e | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
| Taylor Presentation Series | 44.45 | 1.75 |
| Taylor Koa Series | 44.45 | 1.75 |
| Taylor 600 Series | 47.62 | 1.875 |
| Taylor 700 Series | 44.45 | 1.75 |
| Taylor 800 Series | 44.45 | 1.75 |
| Taylor 900 Series | 44.45 | 1.75 |
| Taylor GT Series | 43.66 | 1.7205 |
| Martin D-28 (2017 – present) | 44.45 | 1.75 |
| Martin HD-28 | 44.45 | 1.75 |
| Martin 000-18 | 44.45 | 1.75 |
| Martin D-X9E | 44.45 | 1.75 |
| Martin 0-x1E | 44.45 | 1.75 |
| Martin 000JR-10 | 44.45 | 1.75 |
| Martin LX1 Little Martin | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
| Martin OMJM | 42.86 | 1.6874 |
| Gibson J-45 | 43.815 | 1.725 |
| Gibson SJ-200 | 43.815 | 1.725 |
| Gibson Hummingbird | 43.815 | 1.725 |
| Gibson G-00 | 43.815 | 1.725 |
| Guild M25E | 44.5 | 1.752 |
| Guild F-512 | 48 | 1.8898 |
| Guild D-55E | 43 | 1.6929 |
| Guild M-20 | 44.5 | 1.752 |
| Guild F-40 | 43 | 1.6929 |
| Yamaha A Series | 43 | 1.6929 |
| Yamaha L Series | 44 | 1.7323 |
| Yamaha CSF Series | 43 | 1.6929 |
| Yamaha FG Series | 43 | 1.6929 |
| Yamaha FX Series | 43 | 1.6929 |
Standard Classic Guitar Models
| Guitar Model | Nut Width (mm) | Nut Width (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Cordoba C1 Matiz | 52 | 2.0472 |
| Cordoba Fusion 5 | 48 | 1.8898 |
| Cordoba Mini II | 52 | 2.0472 |
| Cordoba C5 | 52 | 2.0472 |
| Cordoba C3 M | 52 | 2.0472 |
| Cordoba C7 | 52 | 2.0472 |
| Cordoba Friedreich | 52 | 2.0472 |
| Cordoba Esteso SP | 52 | 2.0472 |
| Cordoba Torres | 51 | 2.0079 |
| Cordoba 55 FCE Negra | 50 | 1.9685 |
| Yamaha GC Series | 52.5 | 2.0669 |
| Yamaha C Series | 52 | 2.0472 |
| Yamaha NTX Series | 48 | 1.8898 |
| Yamaha NCX Series | 52 | 2.0472 |
| Godin Arena | 50.8 | 2.0 |
| Godin Collection | 50.8 | 2.0 |
| Godin Concert | 50.8 | 2.0 |
| Godin Presentation | 50.8 | 2.0 |
| Godin Etude | 50.8 | 2.0 |
| Godin Motif | 50.8 | 2.0 |
Customization and Adjustments in Nut Width
Customizing nut width is a possibility for a custom guitar. It is especially useful for players with unique hand sizes or playing styles. Only consider a modified nut width if you consistently struggle with certain playing styles or experience discomfort.
Try different guitar models to ensure that the issue is indeed with nut width and not other aspects of the guitar’s design. Always talk to your Luthier about your reasons behind your considerations, as experts they can help you to find the perfect solution to your problem.
Conclusion: The Importance of Nut Width in Guitar Selection
Nut width is a crucial factor in guitar selection as it significantly impacts playability, comfort, and suitability for different playing styles. The right nut width can enhance the playing experience, making it easier to form chords, play solos, and perform fingerstyle music.
Explore guitars with different nut widths to find the most comfortable fit for your playing style and hand size. Understanding and experiencing how nut width affects playability can help you make a more informed decision when selecting a guitar.
