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Guys. I want to build a steel string, but want to play fingerpick style. Plan is to fingerpick hyms like Amazing grace, also stuff like blue eyes crying in the rain.
So I understand classical nylon string guitars are generally preferred for this. So what do you guys think? In terms of a steel string, is using a wider string spacing an option? Would OM or OO be better suited than dreadnought? What else?

Finger picking is common for steel string guitars. It is a playing style, whereas nylon string guitars are better suited to a different type of music such as flamenco or classical. I made the neck on a dread wider for finger picking and it plays well either flat picked or finger picked. I also made the fret board flatter that a normal 16" radius. I can't tell you what the radius is however because I have no way of measuring it. Overall, the effect on playing is nice. An OM is typically the "go to" finger picking guitar.
In the end, if you are making this guitar for yourself, then make it how you want it to be, and do not be constrained by tradition. If you want to make it with a 2 inch wide nut, go for it. The dread I made with the wide neck? It has almost nut that was an inch and 15/16ths wide and 2.25" spacing at the bridge by request for the future owner who said he wanted it wide and flat, in his words, "Almost like a classical guitar neck" thus the flatter radius for the fret board as well.

Intricate arrangements can be played on any size guitar body. The set-up, neck profile, choice of strings and comfort in the sitting position are really the important things.

Many fingerpickers choose a 2 3/8" string spacing at the bridge. And, if you use open tunings, some feel that a laminated neck is more stable for frequent tuning and re-tuning. I've not had any difficulty with a solid mahogany neck, and I do use open tuning quite a bit.

Lots of finger picking on steel strings.

Here are my thoughts on the issue. I prefer a shorter scale on a body smaller than a D size guitar (OM, O). Generally while fingerpicking I want the higher notes to punch through as they contain the melody. Basically I do not want the bass to push the melody into the noise. Where as a flat picker wants the larger bass to punch through the rhythm.

John, not to change direction of the thread, but maybe change what you are thinking about.
I am going to build a, what do they call it?, a finger picking hybrid. You could do it easily since you have built a classical or two already. A steel string sized guitar, braced for and strung with nylon strings. I love the sound of a classical, but do not like the wide neck, and the guitar bodies are a little too small for me.
I plan on an OM size, with a 650MM scale length, probably a 1 7/8" nut widith (not sure about at the saddle yet), probably use maple for the body and spruce for the top to try and keep it on the bright sounding side. Along the lines of the Taylor NS series I guess.
Have you considered something like this?

Kevin

Kevin Sjostrand wrote:John, not to change direction of the thread, but maybe change what you are thinking about.
I am going to build a, what do they call it?, a finger picking hybrid. You could do it easily since you have built a classical or two already. A steel string sized guitar, braced for and strung with nylon strings. I love the sound of a classical, but do not like the wide neck, and the guitar bodies are a little too small for me.
I plan on an OM size, with a 650MM scale length, probably a 1 7/8" nut widith (not sure about at the saddle yet), probably use maple for the body and spruce for the top to try and keep it on the bright sounding side. Along the lines of the Taylor NS series I guess.
Have you considered something like this?

Kevin

Sounds right to me. I have thought of it. I like you would choose an OM size. The additional thoughts I have is that I would lessen the neck angle so that I would end up closer to 11 mm string hight to the sound board at the bridge than the 14mm I look for in steel strings to keep the classical sound. I would also use fan braces and the thinner top typical to classical guitars.