Nut Width vs. String Spacing

CTGull, Thanks for the info.
That's one of the reasons for trying a guitar before buying if possible.
May be stating the obvious, close string spacing easier for strumming style, wide string spacing nice for fingerpicking style, this is just a general comment.

I don't completely agree with your generalization.. String spacing at nut doesn't much affect what you right hand does. What is DOES affect is how quickly and precisely you can finger the fretboard.

Wider string spacing at the sound hole is better for fingerstyle.
Of course i prefer wider string spacing at nut also. Some may recall the problems I had chording with the 1.77 nut Fender 12 string. Because it was a 12, the string space was ridiculous. One would cover 3 string with 1 finger.

Hmm.  All I know is that I have learned that I like 1.75" and Seagull's 1.8" the best.  I'm pretty darn sure it's because of the string spacing at the nut, which does indeed affect my whole ability while playing the guitar.

If the string spacing is a little more or less at the saddle, I have never noticed.  But the nut width and string spacing there is the big deal for me.

I have only played one exception to this rule.  It was ( If I recall correctly ) a Taylor GS mini.  It felt so good at the nut that I had to pull out my "custom wallet thou ruler" that I made back in the Engraving Shop days.  Measured the nut, it was ( and probably still is ) 1 11/16" or 1.69".  But I swear, the string spacing at that thinner-than-Seagull nut felt more like a 1.75" nut.  Almost bought that guitar.  Sometimes I regret not grabbing it.  But ah well. 

So again, for me, the string spacing at the nut is the most important along with the nut width itself.

TonyKgull, Must say I totally agree with your above comments.
I also have a Taylor GS Mini, think it is a great guitar, enjoy playing it, quite a loud voice for its size, excellent build quality, but it is a little bit tight on finger space, example trying to fit three fingers into one fret space when fingering an A major chord, some of this is due to the short scale length and compounded by having narrow string spacing.