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Fret placement and scale 4 string

Posted by TattooedAxe on August 10, 2010 at 11:02am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion
Hi,

I've built exactly two 6 string lap slide cigar box guitars and I'd like to try a regular four string with frets. I have no power tools except a drill and I was wondering if I can get the standard specs on the neck scale (Bridge to nut) and fret placement. I'm only finding 1x2's(poplar or oak) at the local Home depot, will that work? Thanks.

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Replies

  • Don Thompson August 10, 2010 at 6:25pm
    I use Stew mac's fret calculator, as I find it much easier to use metric layout over inches,plus it gives you bridge set back. Try metric, it's so much easier.
    http://www.stewmac.com/FretCalculator

    Don
  • Outhouse Instruments August 10, 2010 at 6:13pm
    Fretcalc is another good program. It gives you the measurements .... but doesn't have the printout ... but it is adjustable to the nearest 1/64".

    And it runs in google w/out a download.

    25.5" is a good scale, seems to be middle ground for guitars.

    Oak 1x2 is a standard in cbg's.


    Matt
  • TattooedAxe August 10, 2010 at 5:45pm
    Thanks, (good ole Chicago, I do miss her)

    Diane in Chicago said:
    The original seems to be taken down, but it looks like it migrated here:

    http://cigarboxguitars.com/fretfind/nonparallel.php

    Be sure to specify "multi page PDF" when you print!
  • Diane in Chicago August 10, 2010 at 3:24pm
    The original seems to be taken down, but it looks like it migrated here:

    http://cigarboxguitars.com/fretfind/nonparallel.php

    Be sure to specify "multi page PDF" when you print!
  • TattooedAxe August 10, 2010 at 2:13pm
    FretFind 2D, next stop google. Thanks!

    Thirstn Howl said:
    Diane in Chicago said:
    I've used oak 1 x 2s from the depot, and with lots of neck rounding you can get a fine neck profile. You can add a 1/4" fingerboard, also from the depot.

    As for scale, that's up to you! Anywhere from 13" to 32. Depends on how you like to play.

    Then use a fret scale calculator to generate the scale of your choice and you're off. I like FretFind 2D, because it does not need to be downloaded AND it prints an accurate template AND it works on Mac.
  • TattooedAxe August 10, 2010 at 2:12pm
    Diane in Chicago said:
    I've used oak 1 x 2s from the depot, and with lots of neck rounding you can get a fine neck profile. You can add a 1/4" fingerboard, also from the depot.

    As for scale, that's up to you! Anywhere from 13" to 32. Depends on how you like to play.

    Then use a fret scale calculator to generate the scale of your choice and you're off. I like FretFind 2D, because it does not need to be downloaded AND it prints an accurate template AND it works on Mac.
  • Diane in Chicago August 10, 2010 at 12:00pm
    I've used oak 1 x 2s from the depot, and with lots of neck rounding you can get a fine neck profile. You can add a 1/4" fingerboard, also from the depot.

    As for scale, that's up to you! Anywhere from 13" to 32. Depends on how you like to play.

    Then use a fret scale calculator to generate the scale of your choice and you're off. I like FretFind 2D, because it does not need to be downloaded AND it prints an accurate template AND it works on Mac.
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