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britguy

Posts: 712
Joined: Dec. 26 2010
From: Ontario, Canada

Best fingerboard width? 
I recently had a guitar custom-built with a (requested) 50mm fingerboard width at the nut, hoping it would make for easier fingering, etc. When playing this guitar I sometimes get problems with the first string sliding off the edge of the fingerboard when pulling off notes about the 5-6 -7th position. I think the fingerboard is probably too narrow. My hands are average size, but fingers are a little shorter than average. My left-hand extended span ( tip to tip ) is just under 9 inches.

I'm contemplating having another negra built in the future. Should I request a much wider nut width, say 53-54mm, or even wider? to overcome this problem?

What is the 'standard' - or should I say, 'normal' nut width for a modern flamenco negra? Maybe this is a stupid question, but I cant find any information on this?

And what is the downside of having a fingerboard a little too wide. I already know why it should not be too narrow. . .

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Oct. 12 2011 21:25:11
 
Gimar Yestra

 

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 19 2011
From: The Netherlands

RE: Best fingerboard width? (in reply to britguy) 
seems to me you ordered the guitar without doing enough research.
I can only advice you to go out there and try to play a whole bunch of flamenco guitars.

Trick is to gather knowledge that helps YOU deceide what would be best for YOU, instead of having people on the internet advice you over things you might feel different.

the problem with the strings pushing off the fretboard might also be an issue with the string-spacing at the nut and/or bridge rather than having a too narrow fretboard.
It could also be an issue with technique, it's realy hard to judge without playing the guitar myself.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Oct. 12 2011 22:13:30
 
GuitarVlog

Posts: 441
Joined: Mar. 19 2009
From: San Francisco Bay Area

RE: Best fingerboard width? (in reply to britguy) 
Since you already have this guitar with a 50mm nut width, why don't you try a small experiment?

Redo the nut such that the total string spacing is reduced by 1-2mm (with the strings space evenly) or redo the string spacing on a progressive scale (and reduce the total string spacing by 1mm) moving the 6th string further away from the fretboard edge.

On one guitar that I had worked on, the string spacing was increased by just 1.5mm but that was enough to make 6th string pull-offs slip starting at the 5th fret.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Oct. 12 2011 22:26:15
 
Steve Wright

Posts: 120
Joined: May 11 2011
From: Scotland Fife UK

RE: Best fingerboard width? (in reply to britguy) 
quote:

My left-hand extended span ( tip to tip ) is just under 9 inches


Wow! I've just realised I'm inadequate. My left-hand extended span ( tip to tip ) is 8.75 inches. No wonder there are some things I just can't do. I started playing guitar at 16 on a Hofner Jazz guitar with a very narrow neck and thought my finger were too fat for the guitar. After time I got used to fretting good chords. I guess it really emphasised proper technique for me, keeping my wrist and fingers at the right angle.

I reckon when the 1st string is aligned at 5mm at the nut from the edge that this avoids the problem of strings slipping off when doing pulls. If the string is mis-aligned at the saddle I would take it to a luthier to alter - unless the 12 hole arrangement would be any good.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Oct. 12 2011 22:30:42
 
britguy

Posts: 712
Joined: Dec. 26 2010
From: Ontario, Canada

RE: Best fingerboard width? (in reply to GuitarVlog) 
quote:

Redo the nut such that the total string spacing is reduced by 1-2mm (with the strings space evenly) or redo the string spacing on a progressive scale (and reduce the total string spacing by 1mm) moving the 6th string further away from the fretboard edge.


INteresting you should suggest this. I had already decided to do this exact procedure, using a local luthier in Toronto. Main problem is I just love playing this guitar ( it has a magnificent sound) and cant bear to be without it for even a few days.
But you're right, I should do that., and I will. Thanks. . .

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Oct. 12 2011 22:32:41
 
Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006
 

RE: Best fingerboard width? (in reply to britguy) 
If you have standard hand size and a standard spread, then I would recommend that you use a standard nut width. 52 - 53mm.
Most of us when we started found that flamenco guitars are wide. We then think it would be more comfortable with something more special but after some years we find out that more narrow just means less comfortable. There´s a reason that there is a standard size. Many many years of testing have created that size.
I´6´tall (183) have standard hands and I prefer a 53mm nut.

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  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Oct. 13 2011 7:40:26
 
aarongreen

 

Posts: 367
Joined: Jan. 16 2004
 

RE: Best fingerboard width? (in reply to britguy) 
I'm with Anders. A wider fingerboard does not necessarily mean a wider string spacing and string spacing is what really makes a difference in how a guitar feels IMO.

I like to see a fair amount of room between the first string and the edge of the board. On many of my guitars I've been making them 53 at the nut and 63.5 at the 12th. Well sometimes things vary by a half mm in either direction but thats just due to how I'm feeling that day.
  REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE |  Date Oct. 13 2011 12:53:45
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