Why no 42mm nuts?

I love G&L and am wondering why they don't offer 42mm nuts on their guitars. Does anyone have any idea? The 1 5/8" is a bit too cramped and the 1 11/16" is a bit too large to do "thumb over the low E" type chording, however the 42mm seems just right (for me). I look at this list of players who can choose any size nut they want and have all decided on 42mm and wonder why G&L doesn't offer that option.

Eric Clapton Stratocaster - 42mm (1.650")
Eric Johnson Stratocaster - 42mm (1.650")
Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster - 42mm (1.650")
Robin Trower Stratocaster - 42mm (1.650")
John Mayer Stratocaster - 42mm (1.650")
Yngwie Malmsteen Stratocaster - 42mm (1.650")
Buddy Guy Stratocaster - 42mm (1.650")
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Stratocaster - 42mm (1.650")
Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster - 42mm (1.650")
Dave Murray Stratocaster - 42mm (1.650")
Robert Cray Stratocaster - 42mm (1.650")
Jimmie Vaughan Strat - 42mm (1.650")
James Burton Telecaster - 42mm (1.650")
Richie Kotzen Telecaster - 42mm (1.650")
Johnny Marr Jaguar - 42mm (1.650")
Danny Gatton Telecaster - 42mm (1.650")
Merle Haggard Telecaster - 42mm (1.650")
Albert Collins Telecaster - 42mm (1.650")
Rory Gallagher Stratocaster - 42mm (1.650")

I would even posit that abandoning 1 5/8 in favor of the 42mm might be prudent if it's an either/or situation.

Just throwing that out there. The nut size is the only thing keeping my S-500 from being just about perfect for me.

I'm just endlessly glad that G&L offer the nut widths they do.
The number 4 (1.75") is the answer to my prayers, and can be had as part of the best guitar making I could wish for.
I don't wish for any other maker's electrics, ever.

1.75 is a bit too big for me but I do agree with you, G&L makes an awesome product that puts the other guys to shame. Just one of those, "in a perfect world" situations.

There is a thread here somewhere about somebody getting a custom made neck for a G&L for this very reason (maybe the dimension was different)

here it is: viewtopic.php?f=115&t=9107

But I don't know if that is a very viable option for you.

I think the at their size/volume G&L has to cut some options to keep things reasonable.

Thanks for the reply, I hadn't thought of a 3rd Party neck. I thought they wouldn't fit but perhaps Musikraft offers the correct neck pocket dimensions. I was under the impression that were different than Strat neck pockets. I can replace a neck but I'd be wary of having to do any type of extensive modification to get one to fit.

Just found this on Musikrafts Facebook page: (no 42mm but I might consider 43mm - 1 11/16)

Here's one for the G&L fans! Being that we can only say no so many times and the fact that we get request on a regular bases for a neck to fit a G&L guitar, we figure its time to say yes. As you know what makes a Fender neck not-compatable with a G&L guitar is the length of the heel past the 21st fret. The heel on a G&L neck extends past the 22nd fret whereas a fender neck uses a finger board extension to add the 22nd fret. Fender necks of the same scale are shorter then a G&L neck making it imposable to intonate one to the other.

Although these necks are not yet available on our site (A couple more days), we figured we would start getting the word out. As to not ruffle any feathers we will not offer these necks with Fender or G&L head shapes but instead with a generic OEM style or Paddle head. The choices for these will be limited to 3 heel widths (2-3/16"--2.22"--2-1/4") and two nut widths (1-5/8"--1-11/16"). All other options will be the standard options offered on our other replacement necks. Spread the word:) Enjoy!

G&L has that fat C neck.
G&L offers 1 3/4" nut
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What other manufactures can make this offer?


I agree on setting default size to 1 11/16.

Why no 42mm nuts?

"That's what she said."

I recently found out that the Tribute guitars listed with a 1 5/8" nut width ARE actually 1.65" (42mm). See: viewtopic.php?p=62382#p62382.

Hope this helps.

As I posted RE measurements on my Trib ASAT Jr. , the nut is definitely 42mm. Nuts on tributes I've measured in the last few weeks seem to run from 42mm to almost 43mm. That is vs. a stated 1&5/8" on the site. FWIW I greatly prefer the old 1&5/8, but the Asian CnC machines probably can't do it. 42mm is Mexi Strat width, for reference.

All comes down to the whole neck. Ibanez are comfortable at 43mm and Gibsons at wider than that for a 60s neck, but the neck shapes are accommodating for it IMO. For the type of shape/shoulder Tribs and the post 90s USA G&Ls have, thinner nut works better for me.