flamenco guitars fretboard width

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>General >>

Page: [1]

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

rafapak

Posts: 271
Joined: Aug. 9 2015

flamenco guitars fretboard width

hi guys

I observed that most flamenco guitars have fretboards quite wide just like classical guitars have. My problem is that I have smallish hands and would like to buy flamenco cypress guitar with slightly narrower fretboard. Do you think guitars like that are available for buying somewhere ?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 9 2015 21:21:42

estebanana

Posts: 9352
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: flamenco guitars fretboard width (in reply to rafapak)

If you can't find one with a narrow enough neck you may be able to have a guitar modified for you. ( or just make a guitar with a narrower neck)

A guitar maker can change the string spacing of the holes at the bridge and then carve the neck a bit narrower and cut a narrower nut. Then some refinish work on the neck.

Older guitars are also narrower in general. Today a 52 - 53mm wide nut s standard, but 50 or 60 years ago it was 49 to 51mm mas o menos. Older guitars are more difficult to find and sometimes more expensive. But if you seek out some older smaller neck guitars take a small ruler with you and measure the ones that feel good to play.

Also consider that small hands are not a liability, sometimes it just takes a bit of work to adjust to a new neck size-

Very important - The measurement between strings at the nut can change the feel of the neck for some people. Even a 1 mm change in the string to string distance at the nut can help make the neck feel more comfortable.

_____________________________

https://www.stephenfaulkguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 10 2015 0:53:42

Blondie#2

Posts: 530
Joined: Sep. 14 2010

RE: flamenco guitars fretboard width (in reply to rafapak)

Whats your budget?

Most factory flamenco will be standard width, with the exception of some of the 'electro-flamencos', usually with cutaways, like the Cordoba GK range. I had one for a short while but sold it as the fretboard was just too narrow for me and the neck was very skinny too, felt like an electric guitar. The trouble is you sacrifice a great deal in tone with these sort of guitars.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 10 2015 9:22:57

Ricardo

Posts: 14822
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: flamenco guitars fretboard width (in reply to rafapak)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rafapak

hi guys

I observed that most flamenco guitars have fretboards quite wide just like classical guitars have. My problem is that I have smallish hands and would like to buy flamenco cypress guitar with slightly narrower fretboard. Do you think guitars like that are available for buying somewhere ?

I have small hands ... Skinny neck guitars are much harder to play IMO. Pick up a bass guitar for a few hours and you will quick realize it's not a real issue. Conversely a ukulele size instrument makes a wide neck flamenco feel like butter to large handed folks.

_____________________________

CD's and transcriptions available here:
www.ricardomarlow.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 10 2015 16:16:16