Forums

average build time for a typical fretted 3 string CBG?

Posted by Bad Wolf on December 31, 2012 at 3:10pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

ive noticed a few folks mention that they spend 40+ hours per CBG. I am a new builder and my first one took about 15 hours and the second about 8 hours. the most time on both was spent on the neck and frets. i feel both of my guitars are on a pretty even level with the guitars ive seen from the folks claiming 40 hours build time so i was just wondering what you guys usually spend on a guitar time wise?

 

i have a pretty solid woodworking background and have pretty much all the tools one could need to build these (minus some specialized luthier tools) so i have to wonder if that makes a big difference but 40 hours for a typical CBG sounds like a lot of time. am i wrong here?

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Peter J Thorne March 14, 2015 at 8:20pm

    I think aprox, 8-60 hrs. depending on what you put into it. My 3 stringers take about 30- 35 hrs., but I build my resomator boxes.

  • Michael N Hart March 14, 2015 at 1:46pm

    My good friend Steve took six months to build mine, I kept saying no rush mate so it took six months, although I must say I am very pleased with the end result.

    WP_20150208_17_30_00_Pro.jpg

    WP_20150208_17_30_28_Pro.jpg

  • Clarky March 10, 2015 at 6:51am

    Mine vary but I think the only time I've ever come close to 40 hours build time is when either things have gone wrong, or I've done a lot of wood burning on it.  The one I'm working on now I'd say it took me 2-3 hours to cut and shape the neck, then it will take about an hour to fret it.  Then maybe some art work on the box will take another couple of hours, then making a nut and bridge, installing tuners, and carving notches in the box for the neck and holes for the electronics will take another couple of hours max.  So I'd say 10 hours unless something goes wrong.

    • grondon oconnor > Clarky March 10, 2015 at 4:39pm

      My first has taken months. Lots of You Tube University study. Designing and building jigs to mill flat and true fretboards and headstock, machining bridge, cutting, shaping bone nut and saddle, fret dots, and on and on. Not room to have more than hand equipment and God bless my forty year old Foredom Flex Shaft. Enjoying it all and totally hooked. Now I`m about three hours into dressing fret ends. Planning on three string for myself next and a much, much less precious build. 

      • gary sheldon > grondon oconnor March 10, 2015 at 6:35pm

        Yes, the dreaded fret ends.  Don't worry, as you do more builds, they will go faster.  You can get it down to about half that or less  .Don't forget to make yourself a safe file for deburring the ends.  A bit of a tricky operation.  You got to make them really mooth or you will get complaints.  I have gotten plenty and I keep making them smoother and smoother.

        • grondon oconnor > gary sheldon March 11, 2015 at 12:30pm

          Yeah, technique improving. Did stone and polish edges of a couple of trip-corner mill files and found a six sided nail prep widget at the local beauty supply. The nail prep thing has six sides going from about 220 to 1200 grit, really works well after initial end shaping. Using a stainless eraser mask to protect board while polishing

          • gary sheldon > grondon oconnor March 11, 2015 at 12:38pm

            Sounds like you are getting it together real well.

      • Tom T > grondon oconnor March 10, 2015 at 6:27pm

        You are under the spell.............

        Do not resist. CBGs have the horizontal, CBGs have the vertical.

        Sit back and enjoy the ride.

        It is very rewarding to design, build, tune and play something that started out as your vision. Almost like having a kid.

        • gary sheldon > Tom T March 10, 2015 at 6:37pm

          So very true.  Like I say, Anyone can learn to play guitar.  To build your own and play it is truly rewarding. 

  • Uncle John March 9, 2015 at 9:24am

    A while back I said I spend about six hours of fun labor on an fretless 3 strings.  That still rings about true.  

    Yesterday, I spent five hours on changes and 'improvements' on one guitar.   Higher bridge trying for John McNair's recommended 4mm action at the 3rd fret- that worked out well.  Can still finger note and barre, but it slides much better and acoustic volume improved with the higher bridge.  

    I added sound holes on the players side, opened up the box and installed a Gitty rod piezo and equalizer and built little 'rails' on the sides of the equalizer.   Those things worked out well too.   Then I added a home made strap and put new strings on.   

    All seemed improved except the small string had a tiny buzz at the nut.   Some kind of Corian  or similar for the nut.  ( I have fewer troubles when I use a screw or bolt).   Good news is that after playing it a bit and letting it sit overnight, the buzz is gone.   :)

This reply was deleted.