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Head thickness and nut height

Ok, I've been lurking around here for a while and have read A LOT of good build advice and have started my first build and although it's going well so far, I've started thinking about my second . . . I should've heeded when so many have said it's an addiction.

So, on with my question:
Does the machine head determine the thickness of the head and what is a good starting height to set the nut?
Also, has anyone used oak for a nut and if so, what was your experience?

Thanks in advance for any comments and help.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Breault on May 2, 2010 at 3:38pm

Hey Bruce,
I just finished reading through this thread and after looking at your pics I'd say you are hooked! A great looking build so far, and you will want to fret it, I know these things, lol. Don't be intimidated by fret spacing or setting, it ain't bad at all. If you have a standard acustic then just pull the measurements off that, I marked mine on a piece of 1/8" X 1" aluminimum flat bar, then notched the edge for easy reference. Keep at it!

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Permalink Reply by Bruce on May 5, 2010 at 3:14pm

Thank you for the kind words, Dave.

Sorry to say, I don't think I'm going to fret this one; probably the next one. I don't have a standard acoustic, I'm a drummer (que rim-shot). I'm going to put fret markings probably on the top of the neck . . . somehow, then I have some clear satin lacquer to finish the neck and knobs with; I really like the look of the oak.

Originally, I thought this could be a project I could finish in a couple weekends but am learning that it needs much more time. I can see how some of these builds take months or years. Or it could be my lack of proper tools. I have a decent set of chisels, hammer, a file, a dremel tool (that only holds up to 1/8th in. bit), home made sanding blocks, soldering iron, a couple c-clamps, screwdrivers, wrenches and a hand saw.

Dave Breault said:

Hey Bruce,
I just finished reading through this thread and after looking at your pics I'd say you are hooked! A great looking build so far, and you will want to fret it, I know these things, lol. Don't be intimidated by fret spacing or setting, it ain't bad at all. If you have a standard acustic then just pull the measurements off that, I marked mine on a piece of 1/8" X 1" aluminimum flat bar, then notched the edge for easy reference. Keep at it!

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Permalink Reply by Bruce on May 8, 2010 at 3:06pm

Ok, if I may ask for a little more help. Can someone please tell me if these variables look right to set up my fretboard?

Again, thank you everyone for your suggestions and help.

Attachments:

frets.png, 45 KB

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Permalink Reply by Alan Roberts on May 8, 2010 at 5:54pm

Bruce said:

Ok, if I may ask for a little more help. Can someone please tell me if these variables look right to set up my fretboard?

Again, thank you everyone for your suggestions and help.

3/4" width at the nut and bridge? Well... that is interesting. I just measured mine (not that it's a gold standard or anything), but it's 1/32 over a solid inch.

I have fat fingers. Let me know how that works out.

BTW, when building instruments, I've almost gone exclusively metric. Every time I have to divide, say, 3 5/8" by 5 I want to shriek.

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Permalink Reply by Bruce on May 9, 2010 at 2:31am

Thank you for your input, Alan. So string spacing aside, the rest looks ok?

Alan Roberts said:

Bruce said:
Ok, if I may ask for a little more help. Can someone please tell me if these variables look right to set up my fretboard?

Again, thank you everyone for your suggestions and help.

3/4" width at the nut and bridge? Well... that is interesting. I just measured mine (not that it's a gold standard or anything), but it's 1/32 over a solid inch.

I have fat fingers. Let me know how that works out.

BTW, when building instruments, I've almost gone exclusively metric. Every time I have to divide, say, 3 5/8" by 5 I want to shriek.

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Permalink Reply by Bruce on May 25, 2010 at 2:41pm

First build Finally, done!
Ted Crocker electronics. Econo Tuners. Oak neck, knobs and nut. Bronze strings. Sounds like a wooden banjo. Medium sustain.
Sorry no sound files yet. More pics soon.
Thank you to everyone. Whether you know it or not, you've had an impact on this and me.
Please let me know thoughts!

Attachments:

0519001932_done.jpg, 200 KB

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Permalink Reply by Alan Roberts on May 25, 2010 at 6:30pm

Tsk. Only ONE photo, and none on your page? Get to it, chum, there's pixels that need work. Let's see shots of the peg head, bridge, and nut.

Of course, what I *can* see looks awesome...

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Permalink Reply by Jon Pruett on May 26, 2010 at 8:27am

It looks great - I agree with the call for more pictures and loaded on your page!

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Permalink Reply by Bruce on May 26, 2010 at 11:32am

Ha ha ok ok I'll get to it. Stay tuned . . . err . . . no pun intended.

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Permalink Reply by Bruce on May 26, 2010 at 2:19pm

Ok, you guys asked for more pics loaded on my page, here they are (not sure how to get pics loaded in the thread that they just show): http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/albums/cbg-build-1

Again, thank you to all for your help.

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Permalink Reply by Grizz on May 27, 2010 at 1:07am

Nice build. Very well done.

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Permalink Reply by Carl Robson on June 10, 2010 at 6:10am

Looks good. I hope my first build which will soon hopefully be ready for assembly. Been doing odd 20mins/1/2hours for a couple of months. Will go for the big push and hopefully will finish it within the next week, and work on wiring it after I've sen how it plays acoustic.