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I am wondering what spacing is used from the edge of the nut to the High E and edge to Low E. Please chime in with your prefered dimensions. I am using 0.1" for the high E and 0.115" for the low E.

That's right around where I am too. +- a few thou.

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about the same here. 2.5mm for the high E, 3mm for the low E, give or take.

Not to derail the nut here but along the same "lines", how about saddle string spacing. Do you try to keep your E strings parallel to the sides of the fretboard.
Nelson

3-3.5mm for me.

Josh

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Josh House

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I should have clarifed this my measurement is to the edge of the string not to the center of the string.
Center would be .106" high E and .142" low E.

nelson

regarding your question on parallelism, i design so the fretboard/neck profile is consistent with the nut/bridge string spacing, thus keeping the e's parallel to the edge of the fingerboard.

michael mcclain

What Michael said. My fretboard taper follows the string lines.

It sounds logical to keep the strings parallel but I've received a request to keep the saddle string spacing narrower to avoid having a string slip off the edge of the frets when bending.
Nelson

nelson

if that is what the client wants, and you have explained and he clearly understands and accepts, preferably in writing on your work order, that he will have reduced space available for his fingers/picks(s) between the strings and is happy to live with that, and you are happy giving it to him, where is the problem?crazymanmichael38452.5310300926

I too ask the client, then look to see if what they want is feasable. Too close to the edge and the customer will be back wanting a new nut. Too far in and you have to have some skinny fingers. I use Stewmac's Spacng ruler. Set the two outer distances and then use the ruler to get the inner ones...works great!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Dave my question is what do you use for the outer spacing the rest is fairly easy.

Keith, you mean the distance from the string to the edge of the fretboard? My eye, experience mostly from 35 years of playing and what I like. I think I read somewhere that the hi-e should be no more than an eighth of an inch and the low-e less since players and gravity tend to pull down toward hi-e.

Nice to see ya around...hows Englewood treating you!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Dave

I agree, that spacing rule S-M came out with a while back is much easier than dividers and also gives proportional spacing. Much better than any of the previous spacing rules on the market. Saves a lot of time and is more accurate to boot. I wonder if it's patented. I've never looked to see!

Michael McClaincrazymanmichael38452.6847685185

Probably not ...but if it is...hey...who's gonna sue ya SM?...naaa...Dave-SKG38452.714525463

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

[QUOTE=Dave-SKG] Keith, you mean the distance from the string to the edge of the fretboard? My eye, experience mostly from 35 years of playing and what I like. I think I read somewhere that the hi-e should be no more than an eighth of an inch and the low-e less since players and gravity tend to pull down toward hi-e.

Nice to see ya around...hows Englewood treating you![/QUOTE]

Yes I too have the SM gauge but the starting point is your "eye","Experience", and "35 years of playing" thats the part I need. Not in Englewood until the end of summer I'll give you a shout when I get there. Thanks

[QUOTE=npalen] It sounds logical to keep the strings parallel but I've received a request to keep the saddle string spacing narrower to avoid having a string slip off the edge of the frets when bending.
Nelson
[/QUOTE]
Nelson I have done this by making the fingerboard and the neck about .030 or so wider on each side at the neck joint and continuing to the end of the fretboard leaving the string spacing the same. This gives a little more clearance from the edge of the fretboard as you progress up the neck.

_________________
Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498