Would regular square keystock 1-1/2 or 2 inches work for the nuts and bridges on a CBG? I figure a lot of people use old bolts, so keystock wouldn't be any different. You would just have to cut your slots with the keystock where bolts are pre slotted.
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That is pretty much what I am talking about. You can get it in assorted lengths and thicknesses and I figured it would make a decent sound conductor.
Junk Box Instruments said:
I'm puzzled by this word "keystock" - sounds like an American term for something us Brits know by a different name (I tried looking it up in online dictionaries but got nothing). I'm making a guess that you might be talking about lengths of plain metal bar that are sold by DIY or engineering suppliers.
I'm puzzled by this word "keystock" - sounds like an American term for something us Brits know by a different name (I tried looking it up in online dictionaries but got nothing). I'm making a guess that you might be talking about lengths of plain metal bar that are sold by DIY or engineering suppliers. If so then it's a perfectly reasonable choice for nuts and bridges.
I use 10mm square aluminium (I guess that would be 3/8 inch aluminum when translated into American). I reckon this has two advantages that stem from it being a bit softer than steel: First it's relatively easy to shape and finish (I use only hand tools and an electric drill); Second, an aluminium bridge or nut won't wear strings as much as a similarly shaped nut made from steel stock. In terms of sound it seems every bit as good as any of the alternatives. There are some close-up pictures of my designs on my website at www.airburst.co.uk/junkboxinstruments.
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Junk Box Instruments said:
I use 10mm square aluminium (I guess that would be 3/8 inch aluminum when translated into American). I reckon this has two advantages that stem from it being a bit softer than steel: First it's relatively easy to shape and finish (I use only hand tools and an electric drill); Second, an aluminium bridge or nut won't wear strings as much as a similarly shaped nut made from steel stock. In terms of sound it seems every bit as good as any of the alternatives. There are some close-up pictures of my designs on my website at www.airburst.co.uk/junkboxinstruments.