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I have a very fun project coming up where I will be building two identical heirloom guitars for my client's grand kids. The kids are currently 12 and 15. I am trying to decide what would be the best nut width/saddle spacing for these guitars- knowing that they need to be playable now AND once the kids are fully grown. Their mom is 5'6" and their dad is 5'10". I know this says nothing about the size of their hands, but it is about all I can get since the parents don't know about it.

I normally go with 1 3/4" and 2 1/4". What would you do in this situation?

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
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I would stay with what you normally go with. I don't think nut width and string spacing affects beginner guitar players nearly as much as how the guitar is set-up. Ever see those kids on youtube that are like 5 yrs old playing classical guitar? They manage LOL.

Glenn

IMHO 12 (and certainly 15) is fairly close to full grown hand size for most kids. Sure they will continue to grow but not by the leaps and bounds that younger children do. What size shoe did you wear when you were 15, what size now. . .The 12 year old may have quite a bit of growing to do (depending on where s/he fits into the late bloomer spectrum) but not enough to justify altering the dimensions of a guitar s/he will have through adulthood. The only thing that would make me consider changing would be if they don't already play. If they are not players and you want to encourage them to start, it might be a good idea to make it as comfortable as possible. . . That said, you make some nice guitars; probably too nice for a 12 year old to maybe/maybe not learn on. You still might be better off giving them a full sized guitars as an incentive even if they learn on a smaller dimensioned guitar.

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Since we don't know what their playing style or music preference is then you have to go with your instincts. I'd say If they are boys than 1 3/4" to maybe 1 13/16" is fine. Girls? May want to consider 1 11/16". From there I'd adjust the saddle width to suit your preference.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

I think this is something that you really can't answer. I'm 43 (stopped growing years ago) and I really hate a 1 3/4" nut width. I prefer 1 11/16". I couldn't even imagine playing on something wider than 1 3/4". But that's just what I've been playing for years now....

If you built them at 1 3/4", that's what they will get use to and won't know any different when they are 20, 30, 40 etc.....

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Very helpful and thoughtful replies. Thanks guys!

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

Not to beat a dead horse, but I also learned on a full size guitar. My first lessons were when I was 7 years old. I think building to your normal specs will be perfectly fine.

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