Is my neck too narrow?

[putnamm]

I'm working on my first ever instrument build, an F5. The neck is attached, and I just glued the back on. For some reason I thought to double-check the width of the neck at the nut location. It measured 1 1/16". Is this too narrow??

I ordered my fretboard from LMI, since I doubted my own skills at the precision required to cut the fret slots. I cut out the fretboard according to the template in the Siminoff plans. But when I add the binding, it will definitely be wider than the neck. So I'm going to need to narrow the fretboard before binding, I guess?

But will a neck 1 1/16" wide and the resulting narrower fretboard be too little space to properly fit the strings??

Thanks for your help.

Mark

[HoGo]

1 1/16" is pretty much standard neck width at nut. SOme folks prefer slightly wider at 1 1/8" but there are makers who build it closer to 1" (Gibson F-9's are known to be extremely slim)
Make sure your fingerboard will fit the neck wit minimal wood removal after gluing (use removable pins through two fret slots so it won't move duirng clamping) and you are good to go.

[rcc56]

The best answer to this question is "whatever fits your hand and technique."

Although the current "standard" is 1 1/16", most of the mandolins built in the 1910's were 1 3/16". Necks gradually became narrower starting in the early to mid 1920's. Currently, some players are finding wider fingerboards to be more comfortable, and some makers are starting to offer them again.

I personally prefer a wider fingerboard. Many other folks prefer narrow boards.

I find the neck shape to be at least as important as the neck width.

[pops1]

I have instruments with 1 1/4" to 1 1/8" and to me the difference that is noticeable is the neck depth, not the width.

[V70416]

My favorite mandolin neck measures right at one inch at the nut
and a slim neck dimension. Short fingers.

[Jim Garber]

I have instruments with 1 1/4" to 1 1/8" and to me the difference that is noticeable is the neck depth, not the width.

That is funny. I am exactly the opposite. I prefer 1-1/8” and most of my playing instruments have necks like that but they vary in depth. The key in any case is that it is personal choice.

[michaelpthompson]

I have an old bowlback with a one inch neck width, which is comfortable for my small hands. I also play on 1 1/8 inch necks. Depends on the player.

[HonketyHank]

The main difference I feel between my 1-1/16 and 1-3/16 mandolins is that the nearly impossible (for me) G and D chop chords become more impossible on the wider nut mandolin.

[LongBlackVeil]

my gibson a9 is that size and i find it pretty comfortable if not totally ideal