So I just built CBG #5, this time with a poplar neck. I spent a lot of time on this neck (it has a wenge fretboard too) and I have to say it looks pretty awesome. I strung it up with light gauge steel acoustic strings which, to my dismay, started bowing the neck. I replaced the acoustic strings with high note nylon strings, since those require less tension. What I'm finding is the nylons are stretching and stretching, requiring a constant tuning up. I suppose eventually they'll find their sweet spot (or break first) but cripes, I've been at this for about 6 hours now. Anybody else have experience with poplar and nylon? Oh, the guitar is tuned to CGc.
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Ah. I get it. In my case, the grain of the neck is horizontal. And I'm willing to bet that it's leaning toward the softer end of the poplar continuum. Everything is making sense now. That said, the nylon strings seem to be reaching their equilibrium. They're sounding pretty good and they don't have that pesky screech when I use a slide. They are a little on the quiet side though.
Yes, I would also recommend a shorter scale length if you want less tension on the neck.
Don Thompson said:
http://www.lutherie.net/frankford.runout.html sometimes a careful search of boards in a stack will yield a piece of vertical grain wood. The grain resists bending. Also poplar varies widely in it's strength, some as soft as pine, others harder.
Larry McInnes said:
>I forgot to say that this is my first experience with nylon, but I guess you all figured that out. The scale is 25.5", three strings, 1"x2" piece of poplar. As far as orientation goes, I'm not sure what you mean, Sam.
http://www.lutherie.net/frankford.runout.html
sometimes a careful search of boards in a stack will yield a piece of vertical grain wood. The grain resists bending. Also poplar varies widely in it's strength, some as soft as pine, others harder.
Larry McInnes said:
>I forgot to say that this is my first experience with nylon, but I guess you all figured that out. The scale is 25.5", three strings, 1"x2" piece of poplar. As far as orientation goes, I'm not sure what you mean, Sam.
is the grain "vertical".... meaning the fine grain oriented so the it opposes the tension produced by the strings....
Larry McInnes said:
I forgot to say that this is my first experience with nylon, but I guess you all figured that out. The scale is 25.5", three strings, 1"x2" piece of poplar. As far as orientation goes, I'm not sure what you mean, Sam.
I forgot to say that this is my first experience with nylon, but I guess you all figured that out. The scale is 25.5", three strings, 1"x2" piece of poplar. As far as orientation goes, I'm not sure what you mean, Sam.
how many strings? scale length? thickness and orientation of the wood in the neck? I'm used popular (although I like other woods better) in up to 4 string 24" scale without a problem... I then to work with lighter gauge scale... like electric 9s or 10s, but still have good luck with popular.... "vertical grain" helps...
Nylons require a considerable break in time, no getting around it. Nature of the beast. One trick I have found that works for me is to over tighten the strings, one to two steps over your target pitch. Low C, tune up to E etc. Pull the string up periodically as you turn the tuner. Make sure the string is tight on it's post. Leave the instrument over night. Next day as needed, tune up a full step above. They will settle in and keep thier pitch well if your neck does not keep bowing.
Replies
Don Thompson said:
sometimes a careful search of boards in a stack will yield a piece of vertical grain wood. The grain resists bending. Also poplar varies widely in it's strength, some as soft as pine, others harder.
Larry McInnes said:
Larry McInnes said:
Matt
just some thoughts,
Wichtia Sam