What's the deal with nut width?

[JSS]

I'm looking into getting an Earvana compensating nut for my SG, but I'm just not positive how to go about measuring it. I know this is retarded, but I'm not very technical that way, I just like to play and I'm lucky if I restring my guitar correctly. If anyone could tell me how to go about measuring this correctly, I'd appreciate it.

-Jeremy

[Kent S.]

Re: What's the deal with nut width?

Cosmetically, end to end (length of the thing); string width, center of low E string to center of high E string. Height is a set-up issue, that's not a standardized measurement. Also if replacing with a different type, the nut slot width becomes important, how thick the nut is *front* to *rear* {string side to tuner side}.

[rspst14]

Re: What's the deal with nut width?

I believe an SG should have a 1 11/16 nut width.

Ryan