New member here. I'm inspired to make a 4 string tenor guitar with a cigar box. I've been looking for plans and found a number of 3 string instruments, but all the 4 string plans are for a normal guitar style body.
This would be my first instrument. I'm also looking for one that will have nylon strings.
Any suggestions?
Replies
hi again, I should mention if using nylon strings you will need a wider neck/fingerboard as the strings are thicker gauge.
Taff
Hi and welcome. I would suggest you use the scale length suggested for a tenor guitar and use the cigar box instead of the traditional guitar shape. I always draw a plan first before building. Draw your box outline, place your bridge in a position/ location on the top that give a good area of vibration around it, usually a third of the boxes length from the tail end. Measure your scale length from the saddle position to the nut, plus a peg head is the length of the neck, plus extra for attachment to the box. Plenty of info on here.
A side plan of the instrument should show the thickness of the box, the proposed bridge in its position on the top standing 5/8" or 1/2" high. Your neck with fingerboard and frets, if used, would also be drawn and a line plotted from the top of the bridge to the nut, and say 2mm over the 12th fret, would give you the approximate neck back angle of them neck.
You would then need to decide if you use a fixed bridge or a tail piece. I hope this helps to get you started.
Cheers Taff