What's your favourite nut width?

[joel]

Well, I finally got some time out in the garage this morning to play with my first build - making fret board templates. I've spent the last few days thinking about nut width. I had drawn up my own OM plans over the last Xmas holidays and set my nut width at 44mm (a bit bigger than 1 11/16"). I should have measured my Maton before drawing. It has a nut width of 44.5mm, and I find the string spacing a little too close for when I'm trying to play fingerstyle. So, this morning I rubbed out the neck on my plan and redrew it at 47mm (1 7/8") along with the associated bridge adjustments. I've made up FB templates for both widths, and I like the look of the 47mm one.

All throughout this I've been think about what other people like when they're playing. Do you like a narrow neck or do you prefer a bit of room to move?

This is for steel string guitars. Obviously nylon string guitars are a different kettle of fish altogether. Ukes and banjo's don't rate a mention .

[jeffhigh]

I go with 1 3/4" (44.5mm) with a 2.25" spread at the bridge.

[Allen]

I was making all mine at 1 3/4" (about 44 mm) but the last 2 were specified by the customer at what worked out to be 46 mm. I found it to be so much more comfortable for my size of fingers. Just that little bit extra seems to make a fair bit of difference.

[joel]

I learned classical guitar when I was younger. I guess that first exposure to the guitar on a nylon stringed instrument has stayed with me, and I feel more comfortable with a wider fretboard.