1 11/16 or 1 3/4 neck?

So i just started playing about a month ago and purchased a Taylor 214ce delux with a 1 11/16 size neck. The two common size necks i see are a 1 11/16 and 1 3/4 size. My question is does it really matter or make a diffrence for someone like me with medium size hands and fingers as a bigginer. I find myself muting the strings alot especially on the C chord. Is this just because i am new and its expected or does the .0625" really make a difference on playing? Sorry for such a elementary question thanks anyway.

Hi,

from my own experience starting in Jan of this year, medium hands. Yes nut width definately made a difference for me, but now that I have more practice I find I can do pretty good on narrow necks.

1 11/16" = 43mm

1/3/4" = 44.45mm

I have guitars in and around these figures. In March I purchased a Seagull S6 with a nut width of 45.72mm's. I loved it and still do. It was like somebody said, "buddy, take a break and make things easy on yourself." Those little mm's do make a difference in my opion to those of us who are still training our fingers!

Thanks.. I just wasn't sure if i should stay with 1 11/16 or go with a 1 3/4 size. So you find the 1 3/4 is easier to play? Or do you think at this point you can play both just as good?

For me the extra width is definately more comfortable and the S6 is even wider than 1 3/4" you mention in your post. It's quite amazing how it feels when picked up. Roomy is the best way to describe it.

However, now that I have several months of practice in I only occasionally buzz strings even on my Yamaha Pacifica which is one of the narrowest I have seen. That guitar is 41mm at the nut.

So I think what this illustrates is that regular practice is the key. Your fingers will find where they need to be to make clean notes.

Originally Posted by: henrysordia

Thanks.. I just wasn't sure if i should stay with 1 11/16 or go with a 1 3/4 size. So you find the 1 3/4 is easier to play? Or do you think at this point you can play both just as good?

Everything has a cost. A wider board will be easier to play melodies. I find them harder to chord, especially F shapes and barre chords. So, I am starting to keep a variety on hand. :-)

Your going to find a similiar dilemma rearing itself regarding pickup arrangements, body styles and types, scale length, trems, bridge types and on and on...

Yes,

size matters.

I have thick hands and fingers, and I started out with a wonderful Taylor acoustic that happened to have a 1-11/16 neck. All of my electric(s) had 1-5/8 "nuts."

Little did I know.

When I played an acoustic that felt better, I found out that it had a 1-3/4 neck. From that point on, there was no turning back. Bought a Martin 000-15SM (wonderful guitar) and put the Taylor up for sale. I always buy used.

In regard to the electric, I sold my dream guitar, a Fender Custom Shop Telecaster Relic (made a bit of money on it), and bought a fully loaded '62 Fender AVRI Stratocaster body (only), then ordered a custom-made neck with 1-3/4 nut for it from Warmoth.

The switch to wider string spacing (not just the nut -- i.e., 2015 Gibson Les Paul!) has helped me a great deal to play cleaner.