I know this is a kinda dumb question but i need help.

[Shawn Gambrel]

Which nut size is smaller

1 1/8

1 1/16

[CES]

1 and 1/16...think of it as a pie...if you divide it 8 times the pieces are bigger than if you divide it 16 times...

Sorry about the attempt at analogy...you can tell I'm not a teacher!! :)

[Marc Berman]

The nut size is the measurement of the width of the nut so 1 1/6 is 1/16 SMALLER than 1 1/8.

1 /8 = 2/16

[mandocrucian]

If this is realted to a choosing between the neck widths.........depends on the thickness of your fingers.

Thick fingers....you'd be better off with a wider board, otherwise the fingers will tend to dampen adjacent strings and you'll end up having to do a lot more constant finger lifting, instead of let the finger remain on the string for efficiency and minimum motion.


====0===0==2=0====|==2===3===0===2====
==5===5========5==|====5===5===5===5==
==================|===================
==================|===================

If your neck doesn't fit your hand/finger size, you'll be continually lifting the finger that's down on the 5th fret (because it''ll be dampening the notes on the other string) instead of keeping that note fretted.

NH

[allenhopkins]

Don't care how thick my fingers are, one-and-one-sixteenth is still smaller than one-and-one-eighth. Of course, if the question had been, "which size will suit my (big fat/little tiny) fingers better...?"

[Shawn Gambrel]

Well do you play faster with a smaller neck and smaller nut

[Jim Broyles]

You might be able to tell the difference if you A/B the two nut widths, but the main thing is how far apart are the strings. Technically, you can space the strings exactly the same on both nut widths. My opinion is that you will become used to whatever nut width you are playing, and it won't make much difference. Speed would likely be dependent on other factors, such as action, string condition, clean,dry vs. sticky, sweaty hands and player's ability more than the width of the neck.

[Mike Bunting]

Well do you play faster with a smaller neck and smaller nut
Well that would be quite debatable.

[Folkmusician.com]

You might be able to tell the difference if you A/B the two nut widths, but the main thing is how far apart are the strings. Technically, you can space the strings exactly the same on both nut widths.

What Jim said. :)

The string spacing is all over the place on mandolins, regardless of nut width, though the higher end mandolins do seem to consistently use a little more of the real estate when it comes to spacing.

[jim_n_virginia]

I have big hands and mine is 1 1/16th and I have no problems at all.

I agree with Jim, you will get used to playing whatever you play on.

I have met several people who thought because they used to play guitar they think they should go with a wide neck like a Bush model and they get used to it and can't play anything else.

Another instance is I got used to a flat fret board and now I just can't get used to a radius fretboard.