Mark Bowen
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  • Stow, MA
  • United States
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Mark Bowen's Discussions

Setup for planing neck back angle for bolt on neck

Started this discussion. Last reply by Paul Craig Dec 9, 2019. 4 Replies

I used a bolt on neck from CB Gitty for my last two builds. The neck attaches to a plank that goes through the box. To get the neck back angle right, I had to create a slight bevel on the plank where…Continue

Tags: angle, back, neck

Setup for cutting the neck back angle on a hand miter box

Started Jul 6, 2019 0 Replies

For my last few ukuleles, I used a bolt on neck. The neck had a threaded insert and a 1/4-20 screw passed through a reinforcing block in the box and into the neck. I needed to cut the back angle on…Continue

The Doctor method for applying a neat, even layer of glue to small parts

Started this discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Jul 22, 2019. 5 Replies

Call%20the%20Doctor%21.pdfI use this method to apply glue to small parts…Continue

CGB Building workshop for kids?

Started this discussion. Last reply by Steve Holladay May 2, 2019. 8 Replies

Down here in SW Florida, we have an annual music festival to raise money to buy musical instruments for the local schools. It's a great event with lots of really good bands, and we raised $35,000…Continue

 

Mark Bowen's Page

Latest Activity

Mark Bowen replied to Fantacone Box Works's discussion Squaring the neck
Nov 19, 2021
Mark Bowen replied to Fantacone Box Works's discussion Squaring the neck
Nov 19, 2021
Mark Bowen replied to Cigar Box Nation's discussion 2021 Throwback Holiday Build-Off Contest!
"This is a diddley bow that definitely could have been a gift 100 years ago. The box is not a cigar box, it was made from an old piece of furniture that was at least 100 years old. All the wood in the box is solid pine. The neck is a hockey stick,…"
Nov 16, 2021
Mark Bowen replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?
"I’m not sure that using flexible sanding tools will make things easier. The goal of good fretwork is the same with metal or wood; you want the profile to be rounded with just a whisp of a flat along the top, and that flat should be level with…"
Jul 24, 2021
Mark Bowen replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?
"I used two hacksaw blades clamped together to cut slots to a depth of half the diameter of the pick, and use a bit of glue when I press them in. That leaves plenty of height for leveling and dressing. I use 400 grit paper on a flat stone countertop…"
Jul 24, 2021
Mark Bowen replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?
"I’ve used toothpicks on several canjos, all with nylon (actually, 50lb fishing line). They sound just fine and are very comfortable."
Jul 24, 2021
Mark Bowen replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Toothpick Frets
"I’ve used toothpicks on my last few canjos with nylon strings. They work great! They are very comfortable and sound just fine. I made slots using two 24pt hacksaw blades clamped together. For my round toothpicks, that’s a nice fit. Tried…"
Jul 17, 2021
Mark Bowen replied to Cigar Box Nation's discussion How to Make a Tin Can African Kora Harp + Cigar Box Kora
"Nicolas is incredibly resourceful. His channel is fascinating!"
Jul 10, 2021
john w liked Mark Bowen's discussion Setup for planing neck back angle for bolt on neck
Dec 10, 2019
Paul Craig replied to Mark Bowen's discussion Setup for planing neck back angle for bolt on neck
"I usually use a through piece to bolt the neck to on my CBG's and if I need a back angle, I cut the through piece with my Miter Saw. If you don't have a Miter Saw, Plane or any other way to cut it, Stewmac sell Degree Shims made of solid…"
Dec 9, 2019
Myron Joe Hickel replied to Mark Bowen's discussion Setup for planing neck back angle for bolt on neck
"Now that is much easier than the jig I made for my router. Quick and easy I like it."
Dec 8, 2019
Myron Joe Hickel liked Mark Bowen's discussion Setup for planing neck back angle for bolt on neck
Dec 8, 2019
Keith Rearick liked Mark Bowen's discussion Setup for planing neck back angle for bolt on neck
Dec 6, 2019
Doug Krantz liked Mark Bowen's discussion Setup for planing neck back angle for bolt on neck
Dec 6, 2019
Cause the Blue rat replied to Mark Bowen's discussion Setup for planing neck back angle for bolt on neck
"Awesome work! "
Dec 5, 2019
Taffy Evans replied to Mark Bowen's discussion Setup for planing neck back angle for bolt on neck
"Hi, now that's using the grey matter. Taff"
Dec 5, 2019

Profile Information

How did you learn about Cigar Box Nation?
Online
How many instruments have you built so far?
15 or so
What do you find most interesting about cigar box guitars? (If you do not enter something meaningful here (at least one sentence long), your membership may be rejected as a spam/bot fake account).
I like the ability to change direction on the fly, start with an idea, meet a challenge in material or hardware, come up with a solution, end up with something that's a lot of fun to play.

Mark Bowen's Blog

String retractor

Posted on March 10, 2019 at 3:56pm 1 Comment

I was doing some fret repair work on a uke and didn't want to have to take the strings off. I came up with this retractor made of a few bicycle spokes...String%20retractor.pdf

Some tips for cuting fret slots with the CB Gitty miter box

Posted on March 10, 2019 at 3:54pm 2 Comments

After making a few necks with the CB Gitty miter box, I've come up with a few improvements that make my life easier. Hope these thoughts help!

Miter%20box%20tips.pdf

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