I have a custom build of one of these, the head is a little different, and I had him make it dulcimer strung and fretted (the high D's on top, easier on my arthritic hands), but I'm thinking about doing a minor conversion to it, and I'd like feedback.
I really don't want to dive in and alter someones work, so this is what I'm thinking of doing...
It has zero fret and the strings run through what looks like a wooden nut, but in actuality it's just a retainer about the thickness of a nut.
How about adding one of those little wood retainers that Gitty sells
https://www.cbgitty.com/cigar-box-guitar-parts/bridges-and-nuts/8pc-wooden-retainer-nuts-for-3-string-cigar-box-guitars/
Just mount it behind the existing retainer.
I've already worked out how to make them and I think it would give me great flexibility, I could change between 3 string, 4 string, and dulcimer strung, because it has a mandolin tailpiece.
Thoughts?
Replies
Hi James, you've got those grey cells working again, haha.
My first thought was that the slots in the rear nut/spacer would be obstructed by the nut/spacer in front.
I think you would have to make the nuts interchangeable. Or use a threaded rod, or a nut/spacer that has enough slots in it to match your chosen string combinations.
Taff
Yeah, I was thinking of interchangeability. The one that came with the CBG kit I built for granddaughter had holes, not slots.