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String spacing at nut versus at saddle
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=21378		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Ricardo [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:27 am ]
Post subject:  String spacing at nut versus at saddle
Does anyone have a tool (spreadsheet) that calculates the string spacing at the saddle for a given string spacing at the nut? I want to modify a classical plan that has a 50mm nut down to a 1 7/8" nut. What string spacing should I have at the saddle? idunno idunno
Author:  Rod True [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String spacing at nut versus at saddle
Well IMO it depends on the taper you want down the fretboard. And the player of the instrument. How wide do you like the string spread as you move up the neck? Lots of spacing or just a little?

What are you planning on changing the nut width to? On my steel strings, with a 1-11/16" nut, I like to make the strings at the bridge 2-1/8". For 1-3/4", I'll make the spacing at the bridge 2-3/16". Others like 1-11/16" - 2-3/16" and 1-3/4" - 2-1/4". So it's a bit subjective.

Now, I don't know what is common for nylon strings, might be different for classical vs flamenco too.
Author:  Ricardo [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String spacing at nut versus at saddle
Rod, I was going to 1 7/8" nut width. I want my nylon string to feel more like my steel so I don't want a big change in string spacing. The taper on my Torres plan goes from 50mm at nut to 57.15mm at the saddle. Maybe I'll leave it at 57.15 (2 1/4") at the saddle.
Author:  Rod True [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String spacing at nut versus at saddle
Ah, to much converting happening here :D

So the plan's taper goes from 50mm (1.969") to 57.15mm (2.25") which isn't really a big taper at all (when compared to a steel string).

So if you want to make your nut 1-7/8" (1.875") and you want it to feel more like your steel string, keep the 2-1/4" (2.25") spacing at the bridge. Or you could even go up to 2-5/16" (2.313") but you'll certainly need to layout the fretboard taper on paper again to make sure you get the spacing between the outer strings and the fret board edge uniform along the entire length.
Author:  Ricardo [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String spacing at nut versus at saddle
Rod, thanks. To CG builders talking inches is sacrilege.
Author:  Rod True [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String spacing at nut versus at saddle
don't know what CG builders are?

I live in Canada, s'pose to be a metric Country. I rarely use metric when measuring small distances and neither did the fab shop I worked at. Most everything was imperial.
Author:  Ricardo [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String spacing at nut versus at saddle
Rod, CG builders are Classical Guitar builders. I'm a displaced Canuck so I work in both measures.
Author:  Rod True [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String spacing at nut versus at saddle
Ricardo wrote:
Rod, CG builders are Classical Guitar builders. I'm a displaced Canuck so I work in both measures.


duh , now why didn't I see that? laughing6-hehe. Must be because I don't build nylon string guitars.

Honestly though, metric is a much easier system and I wish I used it more. Actually, when measuring to set the bridge location, I convert to metric as it's just easier to layout versus 1/64".

Sorry to take your thread off track. Hope you have the answer you're looking for and can move forward. (Not that I think I have all the answers, because I don't)
Author:  douglas ingram [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String spacing at nut versus at saddle
Ricardo. Just layout the dimensions that you want. There is so much variety within classical guitars no one will take issue. There is no set dimension, its all a result of form following function.

Using imperial measurement isn't so much sacrilege as pointless when all the literature and builders are using metric. Very confusing, too. Even this thread is dimensionally confusing to me. When fractional inches, decimal inches, and metric, all start being used at the same time my poor head hurts. Without a measuring tool or converting, I can't tell if 50mm is bigger or smaller than 1 7/8", or 1.875".

OK, I just ran a conversion, 50 mm = 1.968" (Google math), so now I know that its bigger.

As you are using the Torres plan, SE114?, you can easily reduce the nut width. Torres often used 49mm (1.929") on his earlier instruments. On my last one I used 48mm, (1.889"). No one has raised an eyebrow at it.
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Sun Mar 08, 2009 2:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: String spacing at nut versus at saddle
As Doug said, there is no standard. Do what you want to, and just fix the neck to fit the taper of the strings, leaving what ever clearance you like from the outside strings to the edge of the board. I'd leave a little more clearance than on a steel string, though as nylon is easier to pull off the edge when playing.
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