I just finished my first Cigar Box Guitar. It's a 3 string fretless job,and I set the action pretty low, about a 1/4 of an inch off of the neck. Is that too low for a slide guitar, because I seem to hit the neck quite a bit with the slide, or is that something you just learn how to avoid in time? Also, I put in an inexpensive pre-wired rod pick up with vol. pot and jack, but there is a lot of buzzing coming from the electronics. It quiets down as soon as I touch the metal. Is this to be expected from inexpensive gear? I would appreciate any helpful advice. Thanks
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Hi , Greg . A 1/4 inch isn't too low . "I would" keep that height and increase string tension by tuning up to open A . That will give the strings less "give". Being able to "note"(with fingers)on the fretboard is a big plus. My fret less is an 1/8 inch at the 12th "fret" . On grounding : I have found that even though my CBG is properly grounded my brass slide produces pops and ,apparently, sometimes when I play my hands aren't touching the guitar at all ! My "cheat " on this is to ground the outside of the metal jack of the guitar cable , amp side . Then ground that wire to the center screw of the outlet my amp is plugged into . Happy , playing .
So keep the same strings on and just tune them all up a whole step?
Yes , same strings , tuned up a whole step . Also Skeesix and Slowpaw have given you good info . Try to get your strings about an 1/8 inch from the side of the neck . My fretboards are 1.5" wide on my standard builds and I have made two 1.25" wide for grandchildren . I always glue on a fretboard for added strength . They play great and no warping .
Thank you, I appreciate your input.
There is no reason to keep a low action on a fretless build. I do agree that pushing the strings closer to the edge will help avoid the banging. But a higher action will let you hammer with authority and not get into trouble. I saw a vid of a Clarksdale blues player. His stringes were over nothing put open air. And he sounded great.
Different builds requir different sets ups for the optimum performance. Optimum being defined of course by the player. If the strings are too loose but you want to keep the same tuning, try gong a step lower on your strings. Thus if you are use 3, 4, 5. try using 2, 3, 4.
Thanks :)
Do you mean hitting the side of the neck, not the top surface of the neck? I have this problem too on my CBG and I'm an experienced slide player, so it's not technique. The problem became really apparent once I made a fretted model.
The problem is the neck is too wide for 3 strings at standard guitar spacing, or to put it another way, the string closest to the edge is too far from the edge. So you can either make the neck with a smaller width, or move the strings closer to the edge. They're about 1/8" from the edge on a standard guitar, which I have no problems with. They're 1/4" or more on a standard CBG design like yours.
I'm going to try a thinner neck for this reason on my next CBG. This could be a bad idea as far as string tension and warping the neck. I guess I'll find once I build one - lol.
If you mean you're hitting the fretboard area, then you need to lighten up on the slide. You shouldn't really be pressing down at all.
Your right, I m hitting the sides of the neck. The neck is just shy of 2 inches wide, I would like to know how a thinner neck works out for you. Thanks for your reply :)
2" is very wide for a three string...even a 4 string! try 1.5" you will find that more suitable,your string height is good so no more knocking! (-;
Thank you, I was wondering about that.
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