Guitar nut width advice

[NMNeil]

There are only two things stopping me from being better than Stevie Ray Vaughn, fat fingers and a total lack of talent.
Can anyone recommend a solid body or semi hollow guitar with a wider than the normal Strat 1.65" nut width?
No matter how hard I try, I simply cannot play a B7 or A major without muting other strings

[chemistry]

How about a British Guitar from an independent guitar shop?

This one has a 45mm nut...

https://rguitars.co.uk/products/gordon-smith-class...

...as does this:

https://rguitars.co.uk/collections/gordon-smith-gu...

I have a Gordon Smith (a much more basic, GS1) and I love it. Proper mojo.

Buy one!

Edited by chemistry on Wednesday 25th March 21:27

Edited by chemistry on Wednesday 25th March 21:28

[anonymous-user]

1.65”? Luxury. My Pacifica is 41mm, 1.61”.

My problem is flattish fingers and I suffer a bit from Dupuytrens which is affecting my flexibility and stretching of my fingers, so I’m also looking for a wider nut and shorter scale length.

Anyone tried a Brian May Special? 24” scale length and 45mm nut.

[NMNeil]

chemistry said:

How about a British Guitar from an independent guitar shop?

This one has a 45mm nut...

https://rguitars.co.uk/products/gordon-smith-class...

...as does this:

https://rguitars.co.uk/collections/gordon-smith-gu...

I have a Gordon Smith (a much more basic, GS1) and I love it. Proper mojo.

Buy one!

They look good but in the meantime I found and put in an order for a Big Lou Roadster when they are available again.
https://www.biglouguitar.com/product/roadster/

My other option would have been to pick up a cheap Strat body and use a Warmouth neck. But that would cost as much as the complete Roadster
https://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/Superwide_War...


Thanks for the suggestions. Just need to get some talent now

[baptistsan]

Have the same problem, can't form a C chord without fouling the 3rd string. Have a Squier Classic vibe tele with the same 1.65 nut width.
Bugger! May have bought the wrong guitar Or it may be my crap technique!

Really like the look of the Big Lou. Please do let me know what it's like when it arrives.

Anyone want to buy a barely used tele?

[anonymous-user]

baptistsan said:

Have the same problem, can't form a C chord without fouling the 3rd string. Have a Squier Classic vibe tele with the same 1.65 nut width.
Bugger! May have bought the wrong guitar Or it may be my crap technique!

Really like the look of the Big Lou. Please do let me know what it's like when it arrives.

Anyone want to buy a barely used tele?

Presumably you’re fouling the G with ball of your 2nd finger? I have same problem, though with a 1.6875” (43mm) nut I’m OK.

Have you tried positioning 2nd finger a little higher, it doesn’t matter if it touches the A string?

Having said that, I think many people mute the G string like that, but play the 6th string as G so get away with it. (Me included!)

BTW, re my earlier question of the Brian May Special, though it appears to have a 45mm nut it seems to have 36mm string spacing so no better than anything else.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 13th April 14:29

[NMNeil]

baptistsan said:

Really like the look of the Big Lou. Please do let me know what it's like when it arrives.

Could be a while, they are on back order.
But there are a few reviews.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_W4i3KC5GI

[baptistsan]

NMNeil said:

Could be a while, they are on back order.
But there are a few reviews.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_W4i3KC5GI

Does beg the question why all of these other guitars have a narrower nut width?

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the guitar.

[anonymous-user]

baptistsan said:

NMNeil said:

Could be a while, they are on back order.
But there are a few reviews.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_W4i3KC5GI

Does beg the question why all of these other guitars have a narrower nut width?

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the guitar.

I’ve done a lot of research on this. I suffer from Dupuytrens which restricts my flexibility and I find wider necks, as long as the string spacing is commensurate, much easier, especially with a shorter scale length.

I think good players with the flexibility and finger shape prefer narrower nuts because it minimises the distance to move. For me that would be academic, I’m not that good!

Remember nylon strung classical and many acoustics have wider necks, and there seems no pressing reason why it should be an issue. Every review I’ve seen on a wider necked guitar has been positive, in respect of that width.

As usual, I’d appreciate the views of those better qualified.

[anonymous-user]

NMNeil said:

baptistsan said:

Really like the look of the Big Lou. Please do let me know what it's like when it arrives.

Could be a while, they are on back order.
But there are a few reviews.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_W4i3KC5GI

How and when did you place your order and how was their response?

I’ve been on their website and they appear to have a lefty Cobra in stock. I’m tempted!

[NMNeil]

REALIST123 said:

How and when did you place your order and how was their response?

I’ve been on their website and they appear to have a lefty Cobra in stock. I’m tempted!

I just dropped them an e-mail and they said they would contact me when they got the next shipment in.
So not really an order, but top of the list to be contacted when they arrive.

[anonymous-user]

NMNeil said:

REALIST123 said:

How and when did you place your order and how was their response?

I’ve been on their website and they appear to have a lefty Cobra in stock. I’m tempted!

I just dropped them an e-mail and they said they would contact me when they got the next shipment in.
So not really an order, but top of the list to be contacted when they arrive.

Thanks. Does ‘ when they get the next shipment in’ imply they’re not made in the USA by Big Lou or are you in touch with a dealer?

I think I’ve answered that, they’re apparently made in China, which rules them out for me.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 16th April 10:32

[NMNeil]

REALIST123 said:

Thanks. Does ‘ when they get the next shipment in’ imply they’re not made in the USA by Big Lou or are you in touch with a dealer?

I think I’ve answered that, they’re apparently made in China, which rules them out for me.

Edited by REALIST123 on Thursday 16th April 10:32

There is no way you could get a guitar like that made in the USA for that price unfortunately.

[anonymous-user]

NMNeil said:

REALIST123 said:

Thanks. Does ‘ when they get the next shipment in’ imply they’re not made in the USA by Big Lou or are you in touch with a dealer?

I think I’ve answered that, they’re apparently made in China, which rules them out for me.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 16th April 10:32

There is no way you could get a guitar like that made in the USA for that price unfortunately.

No, I appreciate that but just now I don’t want to make any significant Chinese purchases if avoidable.

I’d rather pay the price.

I’m now looking at Gordon Smith, they seem to have wider nuts and different scale lengths.

[chemistry]

Gordon Smith are great (well, mine is). I think Richards Guitars has a fair few with 45mm nuts available.

https://rguitars.co.uk/blogs/news/the-gordon-smith...

Also, he's offering a 10% discount (and a free strap) on Gordon Smith's ordered during April, so maybe you could get a custom made one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeyLCLipRQA

Edited by chemistry on Sunday 19th April 16:24

[anonymous-user]

chemistry said:

Gordon Smith are great (well, mine is). I think Richards Guitars has a fair few with 45mm nuts available.

https://rguitars.co.uk/blogs/news/the-gordon-smith...

Also, he's offering a 10% discount (and a free strap) on Gordon Smith's ordered during April, so maybe you could get a custom made one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeyLCLipRQA

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 19th April 16:24

Yes, they get good reviews. I’ve looked Richards but I’m left handed, they have nothing.

GS are offering a free Blackstar ID:core Beam worth £229 with April orders.

Edited to add that I’ve just looked and he does have some LH, I’ll have a look. Don’t know how I missed them before.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 19th April 18:20

[chemistry]

REALIST123 said:

Yes, they get good reviews. I’ve looked Richards but I’m left handed, they have nothing.

GS are offering a free Blackstar ID:core Beam worth £229 with April orders.

Edited to add that I’ve just looked and he does have some LH, I’ll have a look. Don’t know how I missed them before.

Edited by REALIST123 on Sunday 19th April 18:20

Excellent; I guess it depends which you prefer; 10% off and a (£100?) strap or a £229 Blackstar amp. Either way, it's a good deal, especially if you can spec the guitar exactly to your liking, whether ordered direct from GS or via Richard's Guitars.

Happy shopping!

chemistry

PS I have no affiliation with either GS or Richards, I just own a GS 1 and have played a few Gordon Smiths and think they are nice guitars with 'mojo'. I also like to support British/local businesses where I can.