Need some opinions on whether or not I can get by with the typical 1 x 2 piece of oak for a four (4) string neck. Do you think the strings would be too close?
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If you want/need a truss rod of sorts, I've used 1/8"x1/2" bar stock from Lowes or HD. Works really well and adds a little weight to the neck. NO bending whats so ever. Take a look at my pics and you can see how I do it.
-WY
Tim Fleischer said:
Thanks Julian that helps. And I assume noo truss rod of any kind?
Julian Perry said:
Hi Tim, I'm no expert, but I've built three cbg's so far, all with 4 strings and all using 45mm (1 3/4") wide necks. I've found I can space the strings 11-12mm (7/16"ish) apart at the nut and have a few mm left on each side of the neck for rounding off. This works great for me and is far wider spaced than a regular 6 string. Hope that helps a bit.....
I haven't used a truss-rod on any of my builds so far, and the first two didn't have added fretboards either and show no signs of bowing at all. I use an open G tuning and 4 strings. You can get some flex if you physically try to bend the neck whilst playing hard, which gives a nice tremelo effect, but only if you do it intentially.
Tim Fleischer said:
Thanks Julian that helps. And I assume noo truss rod of any kind?
Julian Perry said:
Hi Tim, I'm no expert, but I've built three cbg's so far, all with 4 strings and all using 45mm (1 3/4") wide necks. I've found I can space the strings 11-12mm (7/16"ish) apart at the nut and have a few mm left on each side of the neck for rounding off. This works great for me and is far wider spaced than a regular 6 string. Hope that helps a bit.....
I want to thank everyone for the input on the 4 string neck width, truss rods, etc. You helped me make up my mind to build a 4 stringer this time. I'm going to use a 1 X 2 oak neck with a 1/4 inch poplar fret board. I'm hoping that will be substantial enough for 4 strings. I made this pretty cool bridge out of a cheepo tele bridge and I really dig this "Magna" box...it's made very well. I can't wait to get it done. Though I've promised myself on this one to take my time and consider it a "winter" project. We'll see how that goes. Thanks again all!!!
No, and the neck is straight as an arrow. Although, there is a quarter inch ftretboard glued on top, but the back is pretty well rounded now, and still no give. It's made out of oak.
Tim Fleischer said:
Thanks Randy. Do you use a truss rod of any kind?
Randy Webb said:
Thats what I used on my latest. And it's fine for me...
I actually used a bass guitar nut and the precut grooves are what the strings rest in. (just had to shave the sides of the nut cause they stuck out a little.)
Thanks Randy. Do you use a truss rod of any kind?
Randy Webb said:
Thats what I used on my latest. And it's fine for me...
I actually used a bass guitar nut and the precut grooves are what the strings rest in. (just had to shave the sides of the nut cause they stuck out a little.)
Thanks Julian that helps. And I assume noo truss rod of any kind?
Julian Perry said:
Hi Tim, I'm no expert, but I've built three cbg's so far, all with 4 strings and all using 45mm (1 3/4") wide necks. I've found I can space the strings 11-12mm (7/16"ish) apart at the nut and have a few mm left on each side of the neck for rounding off. This works great for me and is far wider spaced than a regular 6 string. Hope that helps a bit.....
Hi Tim, I'm no expert, but I've built three cbg's so far, all with 4 strings and all using 45mm (1 3/4") wide necks. I've found I can space the strings 11-12mm (7/16"ish) apart at the nut and have a few mm left on each side of the neck for rounding off. This works great for me and is far wider spaced than a regular 6 string. Hope that helps a bit.....
Thats what I used on my latest. And it's fine for me...
I actually used a bass guitar nut and the precut grooves are what the strings rest in. (just had to shave the sides of the nut cause they stuck out a little.)
Replies
-WY
Tim Fleischer said:
Tim Fleischer said:
I want to thank everyone for the input on the 4 string neck width, truss rods, etc. You helped me make up my mind to build a 4 stringer this time. I'm going to use a 1 X 2 oak neck with a 1/4 inch poplar fret board. I'm hoping that will be substantial enough for 4 strings. I made this pretty cool bridge out of a cheepo tele bridge and I really dig this "Magna" box...it's made very well. I can't wait to get it done. Though I've promised myself on this one to take my time and consider it a "winter" project. We'll see how that goes. Thanks again all!!!0111002151.jpg
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Tim Fleischer said:
Randy Webb said:
Julian Perry said:
I actually used a bass guitar nut and the precut grooves are what the strings rest in. (just had to shave the sides of the nut cause they stuck out a little.)