Strat build: string spacing

[ZombieCat]

I am planing out a strat build. Well more of an assembly. I am going to be getting a hard tail body, bridge and then swap over everything from my 09 American Standard.

 

Where I am getting a bit confused is string spacing. According to Warmoth, I can get Vintage or Standard string space for hard tails. I do understand the difference between the two but what I am wondering is if I go with vintage spacing do I need to replace the nut on my standard neck?

 

The only reason I would go with vintage is I can get the body slightly cheaper from Warmoth but if I have to do a new nut then any savings have been lost. I have no preference to which string spacing I use.

[Prages]

I wouldn't think you'd need to replace the nut.

[Wyatt]

Nut and bridge spacing are independent of one another.

There aren't "Standard" and "Vintage" spaced nuts. There is just different neck widths at the nut (1-5/8", 1-11/16", 1-3/4"). That's a matter of fretboard ergonomics and doesn't affect the bridge you pick.

Not that the bridge doesn't have an affect. The wider vintage bridge will spread the strings a little closer to the fretboard edge.

[BIGD]

They are, but the wider string spacing with a wider nut spacing can lead to strings falling off the board. I realized this when I swapped warmoth neck with the widest spacing from an American Standard Strat to a guitar with a vintage spaced bridge...no good.

[ZombieCat]

Thanks. I did not think the nut had to match the bridge spacing but needed to be sure.

[Belva]

Yes, this is a case where you want to leave your nuts alone. Play the guitar instead.:poke:
I love the nut threads.

[ZombieCat]

Yes, this is a case where you want to leave your nuts alone. Play the guitar instead.:poke: I love the nut threads.

[DaleH]

If you do go with 2 7/32" there's not alot of room for error.