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Neck on top of box vs. thru box

Posted by Bryan on August 29, 2017 at 11:25am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Hello gang!  I went through the first five or so pages of this forum looking for an answer but didn't see anything related. 

I see most CBG's with the neck running "thru", under the lid.  However, I have seen some where the neck is on top of the lid.  I also noticed that the Gitty starter kit is like this as well.  I think I know the answer in that the box might resonate more with the neck under the lid rather than on top, but I wanted to check in to see if this is correct.  Thanks.

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Replies

  • Bryan September 1, 2017 at 7:03am

    Thanks for the replies, everyone!  Great words of advice.  I've been learning so much from this site and you all so much and my first kit is still in shipping.  By the time it arrives, and with the information I have already learned, I can already make subtle changes if I choose to.  Heck, I might even pop up to the local Lowe's for parts and supplies and start my own before the kit gets here ;)

  • Bad Finger (Eric) August 31, 2017 at 12:28pm

    To paraphrase, it's not how you build it, it's how you play it.

  • JL August 30, 2017 at 8:39am

    The "No Rules" rule, rules!

    my first 2 diddley bo's were uncle crow / dulcimer neck on top, and have plenty of volume.

    • Bryan > JL August 30, 2017 at 11:18am

      Thanks, JL.  Yeah, I'm thinking the only way is to build different styles and see which I prefer personally.  Two different camps on this topic for sure.  Even the two styles have their own slight differences on joining to the body / box.  Half the fun is trying and exploring different options!

      • JL > Bryan August 31, 2017 at 10:09am

        From the physics chalk-board: it's a trade-off between free vibration surface sound-board and free resonance volume inside the box.  with the neck on the outside you get more cubic inches of resonator cavity, with the neck inside the box not touching the lid you get more square inches of free moving soundboard.

        • Kigar > JL August 31, 2017 at 9:31pm

          You can do a neck on top and have the lid move freely - use two shims below the neck at the ends of the box where the neck is attached, and use a U-shaped bridge that doesn't touch the neck either.

  • Richard Dean August 29, 2017 at 2:41pm

    An older discussion here on the exact subject ---> through vs top mount

    • Bryan > Richard Dean August 29, 2017 at 5:18pm

      Thanks for the link, Richard!!  I figured this had to have been discussed in the past.

      • Richard Dean > Bryan August 29, 2017 at 6:06pm

        yeah, I'm still learning to navigate this site myself

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