Nut spacing

[Gene Finn]

I keep hearing about nut size and string spacing on a D55 or maybe all guilds? as a negative characteristic. Can anyone explain this?
Thank you.

 

[HeyMikey]

You’ll have to give us more. What exactly is being said about them they people think is a negative?

 

[Gene Finn]

In comparing a d55 to Martin when they saw the size of the nut and string spaces it was a turn off and they preferred the Martin because of that

 

[Gene Finn]

Where’d ya go?!!

 

[schoolie]

You mean the 1 11/16" nut width and 2 1/8" bridge spacing of the D-55? That would be my preference. Martin nut width and bridge spacing is all over the map, depending on model and year.

 

[davismanLV]

Westerly Guilds were made before CNC machines took over a lot of the chores and thusly were hand made by humans and the specs were followed generally, but not exactly on each guitar. They're all a tiny bit different. I have two Guilds from Westerly, RI, that were spec'd at 1 11/16ths but are actually 1 3/4" but the string spacing is for 1 11/16ths. When I first got my Taylor, it was a bit of an adjustment because it's 1 3/4" but string spacing is for that width and it's different than the Guilds. These days I'd say those from Tacoma, New Hartford, and Oxnard are more consistent.

 

[Gene Finn]

Thank you guys. That explains why someone might decide to steer clear of the guild or at least choose a Martin for its consistency.

 

[davenumber2]

The trend in the last 15-20 years has seen a lot of makers going to 1 3/4”, namely Taylor and Martin, the two big boys. USA Guilds have held pat at 1 11/16” (mostly). I own both and it doesn’t matter to me.

 

[davismanLV]

Thank you guys. That explains why someone might decide to steer clear of the guild or at least choose a Martin for its consistency.

I think you're taking away a message we didn't send. Uhmmm, Martin was in the same thing back in the day, so ... what's your point???

 

[davenumber2]

choose a Martin for its consistency.

By this do you mean the binding coming loose and low saddles from the factory? Sorry, this is a Guild forum. Had to.

 

[davismanLV]

By this do you mean the binding coming loose and low saddles from the factory? Sorry, this is a Guild forum. Had to.

Oh thanks for that, my friend....

 

[GGJaguar]

By this do you mean the binding coming loose and low saddles from the factory?

I'm lucky. My Martins were made before those issues popped up. Mine have the whisker crack problem instead. I still love them.

 

[GGJaguar]

I also have Martins with 2 1/4 and 2 5/16 string spacing and it's not really a problem adjusting to them (or my Guilds).

 

[chazmo]

I don't know about nut spacing being an issue, Gene, but resale value certainly is. If you're comparing Martins to Guilds you need to decide if that is important to you. Anyway, if we didn't answer your question, please provide more details about what you mean. That kind of information is readily available to us who can consult specs or look at specific models for you. Good luck.

 

[HeyMikey]

Honestly, I’m having a hard time understanding the question and intent of this thread? Guild has made guitars of varying nut width and bridge spacing, just as other makes have.

Nut spacing like other guitar specs is simply a personal preference. The Guilds and other guitars I prefer to play have a 1-3/4 nut width. I know that there comparatively not as many Guilds with 1-3/4 vs. 1-11/16 and that is a pet peeve with me, but they are certainly out there.