Hello,

I just realized that the fretboard that I built was straight, and the frets I bought were curved.

When installing them, I cut the slot a bit deeper than needed and hammered them in place (classy...), which does barely the trick.

Do you go for a fretboard with a radius + curved frets ? Or flat fretboard and frets ? Or a mix of both (then I missed something on the installation :-) )

I read that with curved frets, it's easier to bar chords for folk guitars, but I'm not sure with a cigar box guitar with 3 strings and a narrow neck it's required.

WDYT ?

Thanks !

Ben

Views: 175

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Hi, Ben.  I saw your pics and the guitar looked pretty good.   It's usually best to start simple and work up.  You started kind of complicated with a scarfed neck and frets.   I have built a lot of cbgs and maybe 20 or more with frets.  I get frets from CB Gitty right here on this site.   I use medium/medium and they work well for me.  I think they are flat frets.  I think 95% of use flat frets.  

Gitty sells a DVD fretting instructional.  I have not actually watched it.  I cut my frets with a nipper and 'dress' the ends with a stationary belt sander.  Not proper, but it works for me.    And I put a piece of scarp wood over the frets and hammer them in.  

Someone with better skills than me probably has a how-to fret video on youtube.

Hi Ben 

,you are. Correct a radiused fingerboard aids fingering on a wide fingerboard. I think three stringers don't need it. Neck is not tapered wider at one end.

i always overradius my frets, or slight radius on flat boards. Assuming you slot is the correct width and grips the tang, as the radiused fret is tapped in it flattens out and the barbs in the tang move slightly left an right as well as down. This creates a better grip at the ends.

Taff

Hm ok I'll go first with simple flat fretboard and flat frets first. I purchased online a fret saw because it's too sloppy using my regular saw and some glue to compensate the wider slots.

Note for Uncle, I started without frets and had a lot of fun with the slide, but I was greedy and wanted to try out everything directly, I'm currently riding the beginner enthusiasm wave :-)

Haha, it's gonna be a long wave, I'm still learning after 50 years building and repairing. I think one has to be like a sponge soak up as much info as you can, you will need it one day. Glad to hear you got a proper fret saw. Back in the day I tried to modify 4 or 5 regular saws, but the best one is one made for the job.

Taff

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans yesterday. 8 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

The Old Way's BCB 2024

"Thank you Keith ! Glad you liked it ! much appreciated !!"
1 minute ago
BrianQ. liked Gary O'slide's video
6 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Flathead Diddley Bow

"Thanks. Wow! That becomes a spendy box Alan. They are pretty distinctive though. I have a few on…"
10 hours ago
Nigel McTrustry posted a video

Nigel McTrustry & The Hound Dogs are Loose! - Yellow Dog - Live - Original - Cigar Box Guitar

Nigel McTrustry & The Hound Dogs are Loose! Yellow Dog (McTrustry)@ The Cave Inn Brisbane, Australia.The song is currently on Spotify.
11 hours ago
AGP # commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Flathead Diddley Bow

""Sweet Doug" :-), have seen quite a few Flathead Builds over the years, great looking…"
13 hours ago
AGP # liked David Dodt's photo
13 hours ago
AGP # liked David Dodt's photo
13 hours ago
AGP # liked David Dodt's photo
13 hours ago
AGP # liked Doug Thorsvik's photo
13 hours ago
AGP # liked Doug Thorsvik's photo
13 hours ago
AGP # liked Doug Thorsvik's photo
13 hours ago
AGP # liked Aaron Green's photo
13 hours ago

Events

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->