Major problem with the action on my first build

Hey there - I'm having a major problem that is rendering my first CBG unplayable. I finally got the box glued to the neck, the tuners installed, and all the finishing touches done, and I went to string it up for the first time. I was in for a disappointment, because I put the strings on, and the action was so incredibly high, even without the bolts for the nut and the bridge, that the strings couldn't barely be pressed down. I couldn't even slide the bolt I was going to use as the nut in because it just slid under the strings. It seems like the strings are too high coming straight off the tuners.

Here's some info:

- The strings seem super tight. I'm using .042, .032, and .024 gauge strings tuned to G, D, G.

- The neck is bowing when the strings are tuned up. I don't know if this is normal or not. I'm using a 3' piece of red oak.

- The strings are measuring about a 1/4" away from the neck in the middle of the neck when the strings are tuned up. This is without the the bolts for the nut and bridge being slid in.

-The headstock is not angled downward from the neck. It is thinner than the neck to accommodate the tuners (which are just regular guitar tuning machines) but it isn't angled downward.

If somebody could PLEASE help me with this I would appreciate it so much! I've been working very hard on this guitar for just about two months, and now to get to the very end and have a problem like this is very disappointing. This is my first build.

Here's some pictures. Top one is of the middle of the neck, Middle one is of the the height where the nut would be, and third is the the height where the neck meets the box. This is the height of the strings WITHOUT the bridge and nut. If you'd like to see more pictures there's an album on my FB fan page with more pics of the guitar: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Benjamin-Guitars/254781784640083 or I'm more than willing to take pics if there's something specific you'l like to see!

Thank you do much everyone, that was immensely helpful! I had thought of string trees but I didnt know what they were called, so I'll have to try that. I chose those strings gauges because a few different places said they would be good gauges to try, including Mike Orr's Handmade Music Factory book. I want the scale length to be 25, but it may end up being 26 if I have to move the bridge to a different spot. The width of the neck is about 3/4", I think the picture made it look a bit smaller. What type of wood should the fingerboard be made of? I should mention that at this time, I don't have easy access to a shop with fancy tools, I've had to do everything completely by hand on an old table set up in my backyard :P It's a bit of a hillbilly rig I've got going' on. It's not that it would be impossible to get to a place with a better setup, just quite inconvenient... Like I'd have to drive an hour away. Thanks again everyone, you've been so helpful!! :D

Replies

Jason August 13, 2012 at 9:23am

I just want to echo what others have said: you are not alone here. My first build had the same issue with the action. In fact, I was thrilled with the way it looked but it was almost useless as an instrument. It is now disassembled on the work table waiting for some repairs and alterations. The point is to keep at it and don't get frustrated. You'll learn something new with every build, and cracking those tough problems is super rewarding.
Dean Johnson August 8, 2012 at 2:43pm

Try adding a fretboard! It will close the gap and stop the bowing. You don't have to put frets on it, But they aren't that hard to do.
Diglydog August 8, 2012 at 12:46pm

Looking at the photo, are all the strings wound (i.e. the bottom 3 from a set) or is one plain ? It's difficult to tell. If you're tuning the bottom 3 up to GDG, that might explain the high tension. Just a thought, I'm no specialist on any sort of string theory.
- Nobby 1974 > Diglydog August 13, 2012 at 7:02am
  
  you had the same thought as me diglydog - it looks like all three are wound strings.
  
  Jenna, are you using the Low E, A and D strings from the pack? If you are, try switching to the 5th, 4th and 3rd (A, D and G strings) then tune the A down to G and the D and G normally to give you and open G chord.
Dan Sleep August 8, 2012 at 6:52am

A simple fingerboard could be as easy as a yardstick, or you could get a 1/4 inch thick piece of oak or poplar from your local home improvement store. They are normally about 1.5 inches wide, so you may have to trim it to size.
Jenna August 8, 2012 at 2:01am

Thank you do much everyone, that was immensely helpful! I had thought of string trees but I didnt know what they were called, so I'll have to try that. I chose those strings gauges because a few different places said they would be good gauges to try, including Mike Orr's Handmade Music Factory book. I want the scale length to be 25, but it may end up being 26 if I have to move the bridge to a different spot. The width of the neck is about 3/4", I think the picture made it look a bit smaller. What type of wood should the fingerboard be made of? I should mention that at this time, I don't have easy access to a shop with fancy tools, I've had to do everything completely by hand on an old table set up in my backyard :P It's a bit of a hillbilly rig I've got going' on. It's not that it would be impossible to get to a place with a better setup, just quite inconvenient... Like I'd have to drive an hour away. Thanks again everyone, you've been so helpful!! :D
Dan Sleep August 7, 2012 at 7:56pm

Ditto on adding a fingerboard. I would make sure you have a perfectly straight workbench to clamp the neck to. Then glue on a fingerboard, making sure the whole assembly is as straight as you can get it.
wormil August 7, 2012 at 7:13pm

Your neck looks to be fairly thin, 1/2-5/8", and I'm guessing there is no truss rod. The headstock also isn't low enough relative to the fingerboard. I will echo the recommendations to scrape the finish off your fingerboard and glue on a 1/4" fretboard for added height and strength. You can then adjust the action by varying the height of the nut and bridge. String trees might help but your neck will still bow and the action near the body may still be too high.
Clock The Wolf August 7, 2012 at 5:32pm

There's nothing wrong with the string gauges. This is standard for a low open G. I use .45 .35 .26 tuned BDG. What's the scale length? Perhaps if you have a longer than average scale length you can down-tune? FCF/EBE?
- Clock The Wolf > Clock The Wolf August 7, 2012 at 5:35pm
  
  Is the neck bolted to the lid of the box? This can decrease bowing...

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