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I have a question for you Classical builders. How far from the edge of the fretboard do you set the 1st and 6th strings at the nut? Does about 4mm sound good?
Thanks in advance.

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michael propsom
www.propsomguitars.com

I personally tend to pull the high e string off the board. I guess I didn't learn to play correctly. So, I would build the board way wider than is customary. I am interested to hear what the experts say.

Depends if it's a classical or Flamenco.
For most guitars/Flamenco or classical
I do 3.5mm for the high e-3mm for the low.
I adjust my bridge placement so the high e is 5mm from
the edge at the 12th fret.
Low E-4-4.5mm
But I have had special requests for less or more clearance.

I hope this helps you.
Mike

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Mike Collins

Thanks much, Mike.

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michael propsom
www.propsomguitars.com

I typically set the 1st string margin at 5.5 mm and the 6th string margin at 4.5 mm. For a 52 mm nut, this gives a 1st to 6th string spacing of 42 mm. I set the 1-6 distance at the tie block at 59 mm. What I find interesting is that the most seasoned professionals want really large 1st string margins—5.5 to 5.8 mm, because in the heat of performance with aggressive passages, they want to make absolutely sure that they do not slip off the edge with descending slurs. This also means that the facets of the fret ends can’t be excessively rounded, but just smooth enough so that it’s comfortable in left hand shifts.

Same as Gary L. but with 57.5mm 1 to 6 string spacing at the bridge.

I'm very close to Gary's spacing.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

3.5 to 4 mm from the edge. I once made a pretty bad mistake and it was more like 2.5 mm's from the edge. I played the guitar for a week or so. After 4 or 5 days the string stopped slipping over the edge of the fret. Playing technique, makes a great difference and I'm no great player by any stretch of anyone's imagination.