Question on electric string spacing

[CoolCat]

What exactly is the formula for "standards" on string spacing?

Not sure how to ask the question really...

1.65 is different than 1.61 is different than a 1.68.
Each has the strings closer spaced or further apart, of course.

So how does someone calculate this, or how do the factorys determine whats "standard"?

Does the measurement start from the edges of the neck?

and there must be a specified "standard" distance form the edge of the neck so the total is then divided by the 6 strings?

So there's actually 5 spaces, and the 2 outer edges... just been reading about people adding bridges and nuts and mods and its a bit confusing really.

and why did the radio stations stop playing Tiny Tim's TipToe Thru The Tulips?

 

[Anfontan]

What exactly is the formula for "standards" on string spacing?

Not sure how to ask the question really...

1.65 is different than 1.61 is different than a 1.68.
Each has the strings closer spaced or further apart, of course.

So how does someone calculate this, or how do the factorys determine whats "standard"?

Does the measurement start from the edges of the neck?

and there must be a specified "standard" distance form the edge of the neck so the total is then divided by the 6 strings?

So there's actually 5 spaces, and the 2 outer edges... just been reading about people adding bridges and nuts and mods and its a bit confusing really.

and why did the radio stations stop playing Tiny Tim's TipToe Thru The Tulips?

I don't think it had anything to do with Tiny Tim himself-it was the Society of Ukelele haters that took it off the playlists!!!

 

[Light]

String spacing is usually measured center to center, E to E.


And Tiny had so many better performances than Tip Toe, it's a shame that's all anyone knows. Robert Plant has said publicly that Tiny's version of Stairway to Heaven is the best version ever done, and I think he is probably right. Tiny, for all his (extraordinarily) bizarre behavior, was one of the most knowledgeable popular music experts in the history of the world. His command of popular music was extraordinary. He knew THOUSANDS of songs, and was a walking encyclopedia of popular song. I have a lot of respect for him, even if he was completely nutty.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[muttley600]

What exactly is the formula for "standards" on string spacing?

Not sure how to ask the question really...

1.65 is different than 1.61 is different than a 1.68.
Each has the strings closer spaced or further apart, of course.

So how does someone calculate this, or how do the factorys determine whats "standard"?

Does the measurement start from the edges of the neck?

and there must be a specified "standard" distance form the edge of the neck so the total is then divided by the 6 strings?

So there's actually 5 spaces, and the 2 outer edges... just been reading about people adding bridges and nuts and mods and its a bit confusing really.

and why did the radio stations stop playing Tiny Tim's TipToe Thru The Tulips?

Ok, these days most guys make the gap between the strings the same regardless of gauge when cutting a nut. It's one of the little details that often gets over looked. A lot of session guys ask me to cut the slots a specific way, I did one this week with the G and B closer together and the top E kind of out on its own. It really depends on the player.

My instruments I do with equal gaps between strings and about an 1/8" in from the edge of the board.

Many production guitars will have the spacings all over the place. There is no standard for all models. Take a look at a few next time your in the store.

 

[CoolCat]

thanks...i'm amazed anyone could understand the question.

but yes, string spacing ...gap... i'm all ears,

 

[muttley600]

thanks...i'm amazed anyone could understand the question.

but yes, string spacing ...gap... i'm all ears,

I spend my working life trying to understand all sorts of questions on guitars phrased in all sorts of ways

 

[CoolCat]

well in this case, it was a two subject question/confusement.

the question arose from having 2qty of the same guitars.
the specs were the same, but the guitars felt different and as I started measuring they were showing different measurements. The string spacing the most noticeable difference.

another was changing a nut that was off-the-shelf with the one on it. the off-the-shelf is spaced a bit wider. many who've done this "mod" say no problem...
but i'm skeptical and can be a picky bastard sometimes. So I didn't want to jack with the nut and wind up in "slop land" with a "clunker guitar"...its not horrible the way it is, I just like the strings a we-litto' bit wider..

 

[Light]

I go a little further in than Muttley, about 5/32s, but essentially the same as his. I've never had anyone ask for an oddly spaced nut, however. Most of the session guys around here are the ones who complain about the nut spacing being off by less than a thousandth or so. They notice stuff by feel I have to measure two or three times to even be sure it's there, you know?


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[Lt. Bob]

And Tiny had so many better performances than Tip Toe, it's a shame that's all anyone knows. Robert Plant has said publicly that Tiny's version of Stairway to Heaven is the best version ever done, and I think he is probably right. Tiny, for all his (extraordinarily) bizarre behavior, was one of the most knowledgeable popular music experts in the history of the world. His command of popular music was extraordinary. He knew THOUSANDS of songs, and was a walking encyclopedia of popular song. I have a lot of respect for him, even if he was completely nutty.

wow ...... I totally agree though I've never heard anyone else say that.
I heard some stuff from one of his last albums and he really was a very talented man and mostly, not at all like "Tiptoe" made him sound like that was all he did.

 

[Light]

wow ...... I totally agree though I've never heard anyone else say that.
I heard some stuff from one of his last albums and he really was a very talented man and mostly, not at all like "Tiptoe" made him sound like that was all he did.

He was a customer in the last few years of his life. Really quite sweet, incredibly knowledgeable about his very narrow area of expertise, and absolutely the strangest human being I've ever met. It's pretty obvious to me that he was autistic, but mostly I just think he doesn't get anywhere the credit he deserves as a musician.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi