Proper Nut width for fingerpicking question

[bizilly]

I have been learning to finger pick lately and would like to get a decent acoustic guitar soon (the one I have now is a Washburn D10 that is just awful). What is a good nut width for fingerpicking guitars? I have seen some with 1 3/4 inches and 1 7/8 inches.

Are these guitars with wider nuts harder to play if you are flat picking?

Is a 1 11/16 nut too narrow for fingerpicking?

How about 1 5/8?

Is there a nut width that works well for fingerpicking and flatpicking?

Can you reccomend good model in $1000 or less range, all solid wood?

Thanks for your time and experience.

[slider]

Martins are reknowned flat picker guitars.

I have the DC16GTE. it works great.

I am a rather aggressive flatpicker and this Martin , at 1000$ is perfect.

a lesser model, non eectric, would suit you well. there are several under a grand.

[Jerry NT]

I play a 000-C16. The biggest reason for auditoriums is for finger picking. They are more balanced. The nut size on it is about the same as the dreadnaught. I have never measured it but you can check them out on the Martin site. The current model is a little different then the older ones like I have.

I think, though that you might want to look at jumbos. They are good for both.

Spacing is not as critical as you might think. I have no problem hitting the individual strings. But I don't know your finger size. You'll need to check them out.

You might have to go used if you want something like a Martin for a $1000. Takemine makes a new jumbo (I think it is a 523C, but I am not sure) that might fit your bill. I think they're around $550.

[riffmeister]

 

Originally posted by bizilly ....What is a good nut width for fingerpicking guitars? I have seen some with 1 3/4 inches and 1 7/8 inches......Is a 1 11/16 nut too narrow for fingerpicking?.......

 

 

There really are no hard and fast rules.......it really depends on what is comfortable for you and your hands.

 

But in general, the string spacing at the bridge makes a difference.....usually a little wider makes it easier to get your right hand fingers in between the strings for effective finger picking. The spacing at the nut has a little more effect on the ease of fretting with your left hand. (I'm assuming you are playing right-handed)

[wigginsplayer]

I prefer 1 3/4" at the nut. To me, it has enough room at both ends for fingerstyle, and still narrow enough to flatpick.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Pete

[catdaddy]

Originally posted by riffmeister There really are no hard and fast rules.......it really depends on what is comfortable for you and your hands. But in general, the string spacing at the bridge makes a difference.....usually a little wider makes it easier to get your right hand fingers in between the strings for effective finger picking. The spacing at the nut has a little more effect on the ease of fretting with your left hand. (I'm assuming you are playing right-handed)

 

I've got to agree! For me the string spacing at the bridge is the key for fingerpicking. I have 2 guitars that have 1 & 11/16 inch nut width. One of them is slightly narrower at the bridge and I find it almost impossible to fingerpick. The other guitar is my main fingerpicking guitar. It's slightly greater width at the bridge provides perfect room and feel for me for that style. By the way just to add more validity to the "no hard and fast rules" rule, my main flatpicking guitar has a 1 & 3/4 inch nut width.