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First CBG! Questions/Advice?

Posted by Samuel Carter on April 19, 2010 at 9:50am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion
 Hello! i'm new to this forum from earlier today and i'm from Leeds in the UK.

 I have begun collecting materials to build my first CBG, trying to find as much for free as possible as i thought it'd be a bit more interesting. I've got hold of a couple of boxes from relatives and have decided to use the through-neck method as it seems a bit easier with my limited tools.

 Just wanna ask you guys a couple of quick questions; I have noticed that a lot of people use poplar for the neck, but i've managed to get a real nice piece of mahogany from an old window frame - it's pretty heavy but in real good condition and looks really good polished up, will this be ok? I've got it cut to size as straight as possible but the neck is ever so slightly twisted towards the end (a portion of the neck which would be inside the box if i use the through-neck method) - will this matter too much for a 3 string CBG?

Any help would be much appreciated,

Sam.

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Replies

  • David L. April 20, 2010 at 4:18pm
    Hi Sam,

    The chances are once you have made one you will quickly make others so go with the one you like the feel and look of. As MichaelS says "Make all 3" One point to consider though is if you are thinking of making a six string using a bolt on neck then an 11 inch box lets you fit a standard bolt on guitar neck and still mount the bridge within the box (have a look at my page pics it shows what I am trying to say).

    I look forward to seeing photos of the results.

    Regards,
    David

    Samuel Carter said:
    What's the best size box to use? The bigger the better? I've got an 8inch, 9inch and an 11inch one?
  • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars April 20, 2010 at 1:13pm
    Make 3, use them all!!

    Samuel Carter said:
    What's the best size box to use? The bigger the better? I've got an 8inch, 9inch and an 11inch one?
  • Samuel Carter April 20, 2010 at 12:59pm
    What's the best size box to use? The bigger the better? I've got an 8inch, 9inch and an 11inch one?
  • HENRY LOWMAN April 19, 2010 at 11:59am
    CHEERS, mate! I'm doing my first through the box build right now. Use the mahogany using the suggestions just posted. Also, you might consider adding a pick up to it for amplification later. Just see how it sounds accoustically first. Strings will be the next issue. I would experiment until you find a string guage that works comfortably for you. Check out the forum for more ideas, or the photos section. Good Luck! (You'll soon find out that this stuff can get pretty addictive...LOL!) :-)
  • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars April 19, 2010 at 11:36am
    Burn in some fret markers, thats what I did and so did Shane Speal I'm told. It works for slide and you can still fret the notes, just a little muted depending on how callused your fingers are.

    Samuel Carter said:
    Cheers for the replies, i'll have a go at straightening it a little and see how it goes, it would be good to have it fretted but maybe i should give that a go another time and just use it for slide!
  • Samuel Carter April 19, 2010 at 11:22am
    Cheers for the replies, i'll have a go at straightening it a little and see how it goes, it would be good to have it fretted but maybe i should give that a go another time and just use it for slide!
  • Grizz April 19, 2010 at 10:26am
    Mahogany would make a great neck. Many electric guitars have Mahogany necks. I would follow Wes' advice and take a plane to the neck to flatten it out as much as possible. And as you thought put that end into the box. Good luck with the build and looking forward to seeing some pics.
  • MichaelS Country Boy Guitars April 19, 2010 at 10:25am
    Yes use the mahogany, its a nice wood to work with, shapes really nicely. I have the same twisted problem with a neck I'm using and it will also fit in the box so the rest is flat. I am going to try and flatten it out with a hand plane and surform before fitting it and it will be ok. Just make sure the neck outside the box is flat straight and the surface plane matches from box to neck. Have fun and show some pictures.
    On my first the only things I paid for were the strings and tuning machines, cheap is good, free is better.
  • Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates April 19, 2010 at 10:10am
    trying to find as much for free as possible as i thought it'd be a bit more interesting.

    Yes! Do so and it certainly will be I assure you.

    Mahogany. Hmmm dunno. Oh, yes of course (messing with you). Should make a great neck. If you can use a plane (hand or motorized) to straighten it out, the better. For any string instrument, any twist will be detrimental if its fretted. Slide should not be the same issue as the strings set higher up and prolly no frets. Go for it. If it fails, you know what to do next time. My suggestion -- screw the neck on so you can remove and fix if needed

    Build on!

    -WY

    Remember: Amateurs built the Ark. Professionals built the Titanic.
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