Is there an optimal nut width and fretboard radius for fingerstyle guitar?
Asked by Samuel ·
I've mostly played guitars with a 1 3/4" nut, one with a 12" and one with a 15" fretboard radius, and I'm thinking about switching to a Gibson with a slightly narrower nut and a 12" radius. I've read in many places that 1 3/4" is the best width for fingerstyle, but surely scale length, neck profile and the size of the player's hands matter too. What's your opinion?
Emil Ernebro answers It's always exciting to get a new instrument, but there are lots of things to think about before choosing "the one"!
For me, the Maton EBG808 Artist has been the ideal instrument for fingerstyle guitar, but I do have other instruments that I love for fingerstyle playing too. The specs on that guitar:
- Fretboard radius: 12"
- Nut width: 1.736" (1 47/64")
- Width at the 14th fret: 2.165" (2 11/64")
I also like guitars that have a slightly shorter scale.
But to answer your question: I don't actually think one spec is better than the next for fingerstyle guitar. Everyone has their own favorites, and it's difficult to give you a definite tip on what would work best for you. I would try as many guitars as I can in a store and find out what you like the best. It takes a while to find out what you like the best!
