Would someone please educate me on nut width. I have short stubby finger tips and and always thought a 42mm nut would be best. However, I came across a Squire that has a much narrower nut and I seem to be able to play it, as well as my MIA (says something about my playing maybe?). Anyway, what is the advantage of different nut widths?
Thanks!

The wider the nut the wider the string spacing can be. Depends on how they cut it. Wider string spacing will give stubby fingers more room to play clean. A narrow neck feels good and was always my preference, but I'm gravitating towards larger profiles, nuts and bridges that give lots of room to roam.

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Thank you!

It depends on you style too. A little wider spacing can be a benefit if you finger pick.

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Most Fender nut width is 1.650" a 42mm nut measures 1.653" so there is .003" difference. (about the width of the thichness of a sheet of paper) So you can really say a 42mm nut is the same as a 1.650" nut.

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Experience is the best teacher

The advantage to different nut widths is that you can choose one that fits your hand best. I have small hands (or a short index finger?) so when I fret an F chord on a cheap acoustic with high action and a 43 mm wide neck I get tendonitis in my left elbow!
1 5/8" (41.3mm according to Fender) is really comfortable for me, but it is too cramped for making chords so I have compromised with 42mm.

I have a USA Custom Guitars Maple Strat Neck with a 42mm nut and compound radius fretboard (9.5” to 12”).

Here is what I've figured out about nut widths:
41.3 mm= 1.625" = 1 5/8" = Older Mexi made Strats
42 mm = 1.650" Current Mexi made strats, I believe.
42.8 mm= 1.685" Fender American Deluxe Strat (also has a compound radius fretboard 9.5" to 14")
43 mm = 1.690" = 1 11/16= Fender (Mexican made) Deluxe Players Strat, Les Pauls, PRS, Schecter, ESP, Ibanez, etc...

I apologize in advance..just couldn't help it. My left nut seems a little wider than the right, not sure which one I prefer

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Do you play a double-neck guitar? I'm confused.

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