Has anyone done this?
I'm planning a CB Uke, using parts from a junker Concert size Ukulele. It joins the body at the 12th fret and has an extension over the body with two more frets.
I want to use a 5 Vegas box that has a beautiful logo on the top, so I want to use the top side as the soundboard side. I also want to open the lid so I plan to attach the neck to the body half so by removing the strings, I can swing the lid open. In order to keep the last two frets, I'm thinking about sawing it off the fretboard at or about the 12th fret, and gluing the "tab" directly to the lid so when the lid opens the fretboard "splits" and the first 12 stay with the neck on the body half, and the last two swing up and away with the lid.
That's the only way I can envision doing it right now and keep the two high frets and still open the box. I haven't seen any pics of anyone else doing this and I was wondering if it was because I was missing something and it just can't be done. I'd hate to cut into a perfectly good box until I know how best to approach the neck extension thing.
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How about leaving the fretboard in tact and making access through the back. There are many pictures on here where there are covered access hole on the back of the guitar. Well I think there is.
I think it would work, if you had bracing under the floating two frets, inside the box, so you would not press the lid in when using the last two frets. They need to be as solid as the rest of the finger board.
Thanks, I didn't think of that.
Scott: If it wasn't for the nice logo on the front, and the deeply stamped "20 cigars hand made in nicaragua" text on the back that I can't get rid of, I would have used the back side instead of the front.
I think it would work, if you had bracing under the floating two frets, inside the box, so you would not press the lid in when using the last two frets. They need to be as solid as the rest of the finger board.
I was thinking about that. Two things: I didn't know how much it would weaken the top by removing that much wood and I wasn't sure I was up to the task of that delicate a cut and still make it look good.
My problem is (along with a serious lack of woodworking skills) is that I'm using a pre-made neck from a junker Ukulele. The fretboard is pretty tightly glued down and I'd hate to ruin it.
Do you have any examples, or can you explain further about this jigsaw puzzle method?
Replies
Scott: If it wasn't for the nice logo on the front, and the deeply stamped "20 cigars hand made in nicaragua" text on the back that I can't get rid of, I would have used the back side instead of the front.
Do you have any examples, or can you explain further about this jigsaw puzzle method?