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So, by their way of thinking, is a 1 13/16" nut really a 1 3/4? Tell them that you need a nut that actually measures 1 3/4" wide, not a nut that is "considered" 1 3/4", Martin or otherwise.

A 1/16" is a whopping big difference in my book.

In stewmacs defense, they list the actual dimensions for each nut.

This has always been a confusing subject for me. I've owned Martins, Taylor, and a bunch of lesser known brand guitars. Finally found the Eastman line. I tell people it sounds like a Martin but plays like a Taylor. But then that confuses some people even more. All I know is I like whatever nut size, string spacing the Eastman guitars have. I am considering purchasing a guitar kit to build, so I need to re-visit all this nut width stuff to figure out what I want!

Doug

I find that a small difference in width makes a huge difference in the way it feels to play. 1-11/16" seems to be a popular nut width these days, but I think it's kind of cramped. I think you said you're a fingerpicker. In that case, I suspect you'd find 1-3/4"" more comfortable. I tend to mostly fingerpick as well. On the first guitar I built, I made the nut 1-13/16". That feels pretty wide, but I like it for picking. But, as they say, "your mileage may vary."

Measure the center-to-center distance between strings 1 and 6 at the nut on your Eastman and go from there. I generally allow 1/8" at the ends (i.e. strings 1 and 6 are set in 1/8" from the ends of the nut) so when I make nuts the dimensions would be, in theory,

Nut width 1-to-6 string spacing
1-11/16" 1-7/16"
1-3/4" 1-1/2"
1-13/16" 1-9/16"

Other people do it differently.

[Edit] I just looked at the Eastman website. Their dreadnought has a 1-3/4" nut. Martin's is 1-11/16". The Martin guitar kits will be 1-11/16". Maybe John can arrange for a custom neck with a 1-3/4" nut.

MaineGeezer wrote:...
Measure the center-to-center distance between strings 1 and 6 at the nut on your Eastman and go from there. I generally allow 1/8" at the ends (i.e. strings 1 and 6 are set in 1/8" from the ends of the nut) so when I make nuts the dimensions would be, in theory,
......
Other people do it differently.

[Edit] I just looked at the Eastman website. Their dreadnought has a 1-3/4" nut. Martin's is 1-11/16". The Martin guitar kits will be 1-11/16". Maybe John can arrange for a custom neck with a 1-3/4" nut.

Thanks for that info on measuring the "nut width". I've not seen it so well defined.

And also thank you for the suggestion to ask John. I believe I will. I probably ought to drop by my local guitar shop and play a Martin enough to get a feel for its nut width. The last Martin I owned was probably 10 years ago....and I floundered a lot between then and about 4 years ago, thinking it was the equipment that was more important than my meager abilities. Now I realize the equipment is a part of the "picture", but certainly not all.

Doug