How Do You Measure The Width Of A Guitar Neck?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Some say measure it

at the nut

. Others say at the 12th fret. Others say at the 14th fret! However, by and large, guitar neck width is mostly measured at the nut (the nut of a guitar is the thin piece of material, often bone or plastic, that the strings slot through just before they get to the headstock).

How is guitar width measured?

However, by and large, guitar neck width is mostly

measured at the nut

(the nut of a guitar is the thin piece of material, often bone or plastic, that the strings slot through just before they get to the headstock). As the neck tapers as you go down it, measuring it anywhere else can be inaccurate.

How do I know what size guitar neck to buy?

A

larger neck is better for finger-picking

(gives the fingers of the right hand more room) and makes it easier not to mute strings when playing chords. In general, a smaller neck is better for people with smaller hands and thinner fingers and a larger neck is better for people with larger hands and thicker fingers.

How wide is a wide neck guitar?

Wide guitar necks are defined as those whose diameter at the nut is

around 1 and 7/8” / 47.6 mm

. The main manufacturer of wide-neck guitars is Seagull; they really own the market in this category. There are a few outliers, but Seagull is where you’ll find the most options for wide-neck guitars.

Is a wider neck easier to play?

Guitars with wider necks are

generally harder to play

. Especially if you have really short fingers. On the other hand, too narrow necks can also make some guitar players struggle. The bottom line is that neck width plays a big role in an overall playability of a guitar.

How do I measure my neck for a guitar pocket?

Most everyone makes neck pockets that are

5/8′′ or . 625′′ deep

except Fender. They have made them in various depths and current Strats are not .

Do I need a wide neck guitar?

Wide neck guitars are easier to play if you have bigger hands and longer fingers. If you have smaller hands, you’ll want to stick with a standard size because it will be more difficult to form chord shapes on a slightly larger neck. … If you have

big hands

, you should go with a wide neck guitar.

Are some guitar necks wider?

There are brands who’ve been adopting the wide neck design, over the years, besides

Gibson

. Many “Heavy Rock” brands such as Ibanez, Jackson, BC Rich also make guitars with necks wider than the usual Fenders, Gibsons etc you see around.

What is a wide fat guitar neck?

The Wide Fat neck has

the same nut width as the Wide Thin neck, but it has a deeper profile

. Because of its strength and longer “heel”, the Wide Fat neck produces warm tones with lots of sustain. The Wide Thin neck has a thinner profile front to back than the Wide Fat.

What is the easiest guitar neck to play?

The best guitar neck shape for small hands tends to be a

flat neck

that allows your fingers easier access to the fretboard. Fat guitar necks can make it harder to reach your fingers over the fretboard.

Why is the neck wider on a classical guitar?

The neck of the guitar is wider than usual, to

allow the player’s fingers to press down a string without coming into contact with other strings during fast musical pieces

.

How do I pick a guitar neck shape?

In theory, you may think that you want a thin neck to help you play fast solos. But you might pick up a guitar with a V shaped neck and love how it feels. The best way to choose a guitar neck shape is

to try out a wide range of guitars and feel each type of neck.

How thick is an acoustic guitar neck?

Acoustic guitars can have various neck widths from

1 11/16′′ – 1 3/4′′ (42.9mm – 44.5mm)

and some have widths of 1 7/8′′ – 1 23/32′′ (47.6mm – 43.6mm). Although this is a very small size difference between guitars, If you are a guitar player you know how a tiny neck width change can feel in your hands.

What is guitar nut width?

Nut width refers

to the width of the guitar’s neck at the nut

. String spacing is the distance from the low E string to the high E string and how they spread out as they get closer to the saddle. … Whether you’re flatpicking or fingerpicking, both of these measurements affect how comfortable your guitar is in your hands.

Does fretboard thickness matter?

Reducing the thickness of your fretboard (by leaving more of the maple wood),

no matter

if it is made of ebony of rosewood, will maintain the playing feel you’re after while dramatically improve your tone.

Are there electric guitars with wide necks?

As far as mainline electric guitar brands go, there are three that typically use a wider neck design, at or above 1.68 inches at the nut. They include,

PRS, Gibson, and Ibanez

.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.