I see a lot of people recess the part of the neck that is in the inside of the box so it touches the inside of the lid (even glue it to the lid)....will it sound better if the neck does not touch the inside of the box lid so it resonates better? Please advise.
Pauly
Replies
Boy this is a great question, I have built about 15 CBG's so far and have always had a "relief" between the neck and the box lid. Some have sounded better than others but I have always put it down to the different types/styles of boxes. But after reading this and a few other similar posts my next build will be a "neck glued to cbg box lid". Love this forum for all the TIPS and TRICKS and just general knowledge that is gleaned.........
I tried an experiment with putting a dowel stick between the neck and the lid and found that the sound was dampened considerably. I used a section of 3/8" dowel between the neck and lid right under the bridge.
Here's a video of my experiment... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F31SJo9Xd70&feature=youtu.be
Very good responses. I usually make the neck not touch in the region of the bridge. But I've done a couple simple quickie builds where it touched. And sounded good. I will vote no. But I will say it's kind of like Forrest Gump and a box of assorted chocolates. You never know what you will get until you bite into it.
I would expect this has as much to do with your wood choice for the neck as anything else. That is, an oak neck and a poplar neck will likely produce different results in each choice of recessed or glued to the soundboard. I know I can feel the oak necks vibrate when played and that's energy that isn't doing much of anything for sound if not fixed to the soundboard.
But I've followed the "conventional wisdom" and recessed all the necks of my guitars. If you make a one-piece neck then it would be better to recess the neck inside the box so you don't get any uneven contact with the soundboard and a harsh buzz.
Like Rand said, I would recommend if using a drum or license plate that these be allowed to freely resonate.
Going forward, I think I will not bother recessing inside the box on future guitars that use a fret board glued over the neck.
It will definitely make a difference to the sound - the question is whether it's a difference that matters. And that's something you have to choose for yourself.
My experience is that if you want to have a good acoustic sound (particularly for lower notes) then have the soundboard free - ie. not touching the neck.
But even if you have the neck in touch with the soundboard then there will probably be some acoustic response and that might be enough for you. If you have a pickup fitted and your sound is going to come through an amp then it matters a lot less. You might possibly find that having the neck solidly glued to the top gives you a better sustain.
However, I don't buy the idea about more energy being transmitted if the neck is glued to the soundboard. Energy transfer from the strings to the soundboard is generally the job of the bridge.
It shouldn't affect resonance at all, i have my lids pressed snugly against the neck ( recess area not glued to it ) and they sustain well. (-:
you should be able to feel the whole guitar vibrating when playing
How the heck do you even see with yer lids pressed against yer neck?
>:-E
Thought you were supposed to keep your eyes closed when necking.
i bump into things all the time..i have the bruises to....owwwch..b***ger, where's me plasters...? )-:
I have built both ways using the same box and design. The one that I glued the box top to the neck is, by far, a better sounding guitar.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next