Distance Between the Bridge and the Nut?

Posted by 5ofus on March 25, 2015 at 4:06pm

I am planning a CBG with a vintage factory neck and silvertone bridge. How far apart do the nut and bridge need to be to get good intonation? I don't have the mounting plate for the bridge. But I have the mounting plate for the neck (not pictured). Just one pu b/c this is my first CBG and it will keep things simple. I want this to be right b/c my 10 year old son plays by ear and is very sensitive to out of tune instruments. It distracts him.

This is a tribute to my recently deceased dad. He was a talented and gifted musician. The cigar box came from his brief cigar smoking bout. He played acoustic and many other instruments. But he gave me an electric guitar when I was 10, hoping he could start his own little band. That never happened but...

I've been playing uke every day for about a year and picking up the guitar lately. I stumbled upon an electric CBG on youtube and it just called to me.  I love the one Johnny Johnston plays his Rooster Blues on. 

I am really enjoying seeing everyone's creations on this site.

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Replies

  • Gary Holcomb March 25, 2015 at 8:18pm

    You have to measure the distance from the nut to the 12th fret, if it is say, 12 1/2 inches then it's a 25 inch scale from the nut to the bridge.It depends on the distance from the nut to the 12th fret. I hope this helps. If I can help any way let me know. By the way you want need the switch for one pickup. I'm not sure but you may need a longer box for your scale. It depends on how you mound the neck.

    • 5ofus > Gary Holcomb March 26, 2015 at 12:26am

      OK. It is 12 11/16" from the inside the of the nut (the side closest to the bridge) to the 12th fret wire for a scale length of 23.375.

      There are 24 frets - spaces between the nut and subsequent fret wires.

      So using the stew mac calculator I need to have 23.432 between the nut and the tune-o-magic bridge. Looks like the box will work - so pleased b/c this is the biggest box my dad had.

      I have a great picture of him at about 9 years old holding a cat splayed in his left arm, a bow and arrow in his right and a huge indian head dress. He was born in 1941 and loved westerns.  I may put a a copy of this picture somewhere on the guitar. When I think about it an acoustic neck would have been more suitable. Sigh.. ~Page

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