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Fingerstyle String Spacing
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Author:  BruceH [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:46 am ]
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Hi All,

What dimensions do some of you use for fretboard width and string spacing on your SS fingerstyle guitars? I've heard mention of 1.75 nut width, but is this the fretboard width or the string spacing? I've also read of 2.25 string spacing at the saddle.

In a nutshell, here is what I would like to know about your setups:

Fretboard width and string spacing at the nut.

Fretboard width and string spacing at the 12th fret.

String spacing at the saddle.

Thanks!


Author:  LanceK [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:55 am ]
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Fretboard width and string spacing at the nut. 1 3/4" TOTAL FRETBOARD WIDTH AT THE NUT, I set my e strings in 1/8th from the fretboard edge.

Fretboard width and string spacing at the 12th fret.
2 1/4"

String spacing at the saddle.
2 1/4"

I used 1 7/8ths at the nut at 2 3/8hts at the saddle and its a guitar for big hand, but thats what was needed.

Thanks!
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:10 am ]
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Yep Lance hit it on the nose
Author:  GCote [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:31 am ]
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Fretboard width and string spacing at the 12th fret.
2 1/4"

Correct me if i'm wrong but if the fretboard and the string spacing at the 12th is the same won't the strings be right on the edge?? Or do I need more coffee??

GaryGCote38583.4408449074
Author:  Jerry Hossom [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:31 am ]
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The math throws me. If the string spacing at the nut is 1-1/2", how can it be 2-1/4" at BOTH the 12th fret and the saddle?
Author:  Michael McBroom [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:33 am ]
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I've built one steel string so far -- a fingerstyle. And I built it for myself because I couldn't find what I wanted. Usually, I play classicals, and I like a wider fingerboard. So my example may be a bit on the extreme side, but it is comfortable to play and I have not had any objections from steel string pickers who have played it.

Nut: 50mm (1.97")
Nut string spacing: 8.5mm (0.33")
Fingerboard width at 12th fret: 59mm (2.32")
Total string spacing at bridge: 57mm (2.25")
Individual string spacing at bridge: 11.5mm (0.45")

I have the high E string inset by 4.5mm (0.18"), which I find to be comfortable to avoid "snapping" the string when doing pull-offs.

Best,

Michael
Author:  Don Williams [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:37 am ]
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Michael brings up a very good point here, and Lance eluded to it.
Every player has a preference for string spacing. I like a 1-13/16 nut myself, and around a 2.25" width at the 14th fret. I also run my strings 1/8" (.125") from the edge at the nut.
"Fingerstyle" is a style of music, but different people like their guitars different when playing it.
Author:  LanceK [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 2:21 am ]
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[QUOTE=GCote]
Fretboard width and string spacing at the 12th fret.
2 1/4"

Correct me if i'm wrong but if the fretboard and the string spacing at the 12th is the same won't the strings be right on the edge?? Or do I need more coffee??

Gary[/QUOTE]

Gary, the fretboard continues to taper outward getting progressively wider as it moves toward the 20th fret.
By having your pin to pin spacing the same as your fretboard width at the 12th fret, you end up with MORE room above the 12th fret along the edges not less. Don't forget that the fingerboard width at the 12th fret is 2 1/4 NOT the string to string width, thats narrower and progressively wider as it moves toward the pins -
The strings are more flexable up there and this allows for a little wiggle room before slipping off the edge of the board.

Make sense? LanceK38583.4745833333
Author:  GCote [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:18 am ]
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It was just the line that the string spacing and fretboard witdth at the 12th fret were both 2.25 that had me wondering. I know the board width is 2.25 and the string to string is a bit less.

Gary
Author:  LanceK [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:45 am ]
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Gotcha! I can see how that could be misinterpreted -

I flunked Grammar
Author:  CarltonM [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:01 am ]
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Bruce,

I can see that you're trying to get a handle on how to get started. I suggest going to a good music store with a good ruler (or, better yet, vernier or dial/digital calipers) and measuring some instruments. What you'll find, mostly, are FINGERBOARD widths at the nut of 1 11/16" (Martin OOO & Gibson) or 1 3/4" (Martin OM & many small-shop builders). You may find some others with narrower boards, Yamaha comes to mind, but I wouldn't recommend going that small unless someone commissions it. The whole thing is really arbitrary, though. Some builders compromise at 1 23/32".

At the saddle end, you'll find, generally, 2 1/8" or
2 1/4" at the OUTSIDE of the strings. This varies by small amounts from builder to builder, but these are the norm.

As has been mentioned, a good starting point for fingerstyle players is 1 3/4" at the nut and 2 1/4" at the saddle. You can't please everyone, though, so some players will find this too wide. Just start with what seems right to your hand, and get feedback from as many players as you can, and go from there. Chances are, someone WILL like what you've done!

Here's a good way to approach your initial layout (and DO plot it out, full size, on paper)...decide on your nut width, then make marks 1/8" in from the edges. These are the OUTSIDE edges of your strings. Then go to your saddle location (based on your scale length, with or without compensation--it won't make a substantial difference at this point) and mark two points for your chosen string separation. Connect these dots between the nut and saddle and you've got your two "E" strings. Find your 12th fret location (half of your scale length) and make marks 1/8" from the outside of the string lines. That's your fingerboard width at the 12th fret.   Connect the dots between the nut width and the 12th fret and continue this line to your soundhole location, and that's your fingerboard. You'll find that the 12th fret neck width automatically matches the string spacing at the saddle. Magic!

Sometimes it seems like there are just too many choices and variables, and it keeps you from getting started. Just pick one and go with it. It'll be okay!

***See addendum below--"D'oh, I Forgot"***CarltonM38584.6315740741
Author:  Jerry Hossom [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:17 am ]
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Thanks Carlton!

That should be memorialized. It was the clearest, most succinct description of that topic I've ever read.
Author:  BruceH [ Fri Aug 19, 2005 10:41 am ]
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Thanks for the info, guys.

Carlton - Thanks for the great, detailed instructions. The whole thing is crystal clear now
Author:  bob J [ Sat Aug 20, 2005 1:06 am ]
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The Stu/Mac plans for 000/OM at nut is 17/8". Isn't this better for fingerpicking?
Author:  RussellR [ Sat Aug 20, 2005 2:18 am ]
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Impossible one to answer really bob, different players like different things, I have a customer who is one of the best guitarists I have ever heard. he likes his strings tight at the nut and wide at the bridge.

Mind you I've seen him finger pick on a 12 String
Author:  CarltonM [ Sat Aug 20, 2005 6:05 am ]
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In my layout process detailed above, I forgot to mention a couple of important things...

Begin your layout with a drawn centerline, marking your nut, saddle and 12th fret locations before doing anything else! It's good, too, if you can add your body outline and soundhole circle in the appropriate positions, as this gives you a helpful, two-D, view of your instrument once you've plotted your neck.

Very importantly, I neglected an attribution. The concept for this process isn't my original idea--it came from Cumpiano/Natelson's "Guitarmaking..." book. It's been bumping around in my head for so many years, I forgot to mention from where it came. My apology.
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