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Need 3 string shovel help

So after speaking with another member and him pointing me this direction, I wanted to build a clone/tribute/copy of Justin Johnsons 3 string shovel.I have the shovel in hand but need help with a few things:

1, what's his scale length? By eyeballing the videos it looks like 25 5 but the measurements don't quite match. There's 2 guitars,one made for him in the cranking up the 3 string shovel video, and a production version that puts the 9/10 fret where the shovel "neck" meets the handle. The 2 versions don't match up. I can do the spacing math, but I'm trying to figure out where to put the nut and bridge (bridge has limitations due to bends in the shovel). 25.5" looks like the right length but then the fret spacing isn't "right" as it'd be 11 3/4" from the nut to where the edge of the shovel neck is. (Production guitar seems to have the fret line up there)

2, tuning peg suggestions? A friend gave me 3 China 2 screw pegs, but they don't "bolt" thru.i don't trust em.

3, how high of an action should I shoot for on a 3 string fret less slide guitar? His looks quite high but I'm not clear on where would be "good".

Pic I cobbled together shows roughly what I'm talking about.

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Permalink Reply by Justin Barskey on September 18, 2018 at 10:52am

I believe the spade he uses is a Bluehawk. Which just happens to be 50% off at Lowes through October 15th. I am planning to build one as well and 7 bucks for a spade is a no brainer. Plus I can get a extra for the garden.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on September 18, 2018 at 5:51pm

All the shovels I've seen have plastic handle brackets on the end. I'd rather have metal so an older shovel may have to be found and purchased unless you know where to find a new one with metal handle brackets.

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on September 18, 2018 at 6:02pm

They’re out there Paul, you just have shovel out more money, Home Depot in my area carries the “Razorback “ brand with a metal & wood handle. Not cheap tho

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on September 19, 2018 at 12:02pm

Good to know they are available. Really wanted others to know and look out for the plastic handle ones because I don't think they will hold up well with a few tuners mounted to them under string pressure. Damage waiting to happen. Haha

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on September 19, 2018 at 5:17pm

I was looking at a post hole digger, u could make a double shovel neck out of it?

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on September 20, 2018 at 5:23pm

I have thought about that too, guitar on one side - bass on the other.

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Permalink Reply by Justin Barskey on September 24, 2018 at 10:44am

What type of metal are you using for the bridge and the nut? In the pics it looks like they used either stainless or aluminum angle. Are there any grounding issues in the type of metal chosen? Just curious.