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Building First CBG

Posted by Josh on March 28, 2010 at 12:40pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion
Hey all, I've been reading quite a few of ya'll posts, and I'm building my own CBG. Using a Perdomo Habano box and a red oak neck.

My current problem is, I'm trying to figure out how to do a bolt on neck. I tried adding a heel to my neck, but it didn't work. I used Gorilla Wood Glue, and then I tried to use wood screws to further secure it, but the heel kept splitting. Any suggestions?

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Replies

  • Roger Morin March 29, 2010 at 10:21am
    Lay a strip of wood the same width of your neck on the bottom of the box and glue in down predrill thru the neck and bottom board and screw the neck down. This is what Jay does at tinyguitars and he has built a lot of guitars.
  • Jerryrig240 March 29, 2010 at 9:16am
    Here is what I normally do. I add some scrap wood to the inside of the box ( mind you, this pic might be a bit over kill) I at least add something to both ends, and glue it in, that way, all 4 corders are good and sturdy. Plus, this gives me something to screw my neck on to ( don't glue on neck in box) you will be asking for trouble later. You kinda want your box to be feild stripable in a way so if there is a problem you can take it apart. and fix it...so now, when your neck is in place, make sure all is good and drill a larger pilot hole for some screws...you want the screws to fit flush in the neck in the box so your lid fits flush. I normally use 4 screws, two on each end... you can use a square on the outside of the box between box and neck to make sure everything is all squared up and your neck is not off center and your set.

  • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars March 29, 2010 at 8:58am
    Josh, thats all the tools you need. A thru neck would use less tools than a bolt on neck, less cutting, drilling, shaping. all depends on how you do it. Check out my pics for a simple inside the box view of a thru neck. Either way work thru it, you'll get it to work. Look at other peoples pics too, I'm sure you can find a few of bolt on necks that will help you with yours.

    Josh said:
    Too late to do a thru design, plus I don't have the proper tools. I'm stuck with a power drill, a circular saw, and wood files. Also, I'm only doing a three string, so I'm not really worried about the box. It's pretty sturdy. I'm going to try to bore the holes, and then screw. Thanks for the advice.
  • Josh March 28, 2010 at 8:55pm
    Too late to do a thru design, plus I don't have the proper tools. I'm stuck with a power drill, a circular saw, and wood files. Also, I'm only doing a three string, so I'm not really worried about the box. It's pretty sturdy. I'm going to try to bore the holes, and then screw. Thanks for the advice.
  • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars March 28, 2010 at 7:00pm
    Thru neck is the simplest for your first, plus it works well. Is it too late to change your mind? Make an easy one first then make the second one with all the changes you think you should have done on the first.
  • Shawn March 28, 2010 at 5:58pm
    Predrill and brace the inside of the box with an 1 strip of hard wood. Most boxes are not built to take the strain of the strings pulling on the neck( my first bolt on cracked in this place ). I have gone to the neck pocket way like on a solid body guitar. Hardwood block = neck pocket = neck = bolts = very strong
  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates March 28, 2010 at 4:12pm
    Ooooo do not use Gorilla Glue. Bad Stuff. It expands while drying and makes a mess. I assume you are not doing a neck-through design. I do neck-throughs and that really makes it easier. Check out the plans in the Free Resources menu.

    -WY
  • Nighttrain March 28, 2010 at 1:30pm
    Use a drill and bore the screw holes first that may help.
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