making a few 3 strings with kids?

Posted by Brian S. Abbott on March 29, 2012 at 1:09am

Hi i am looking for some guidance. I just built a 3 string CBG, and in showing it to a few coworkers and kids I work with, we are thinking of making several together as an activity. I work for a county agency that helps keep kids in their family home instead of foster/group homes. I have access to some budget, some woodworking skills/tools, and very limited playing ability! and enthusiasm to learn. Any recommendations on supplies, instructions, on line or purchase lessons would be greatly appreciated. I am doing a lot of searching, but why re invent the wheel. Looking at @ 6 or so to build.

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3, build, kids, string, teenager

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Replies

Moon April 5, 2012 at 9:59am

Hi Brian,Hey i was thinking if you were to add wood on to the neck to make the same profile as cutting the sound board area out,this would allow the kids to do a little more on the cbg.You would have a little more wood in them and would likely have to add a piece to the fret board to bring the height up to the box top.That should work just as well as cutting the step in the neck.Just a thought.
Brian S. Abbott March 31, 2012 at 2:09pm

Thank you for the comments. I am hoping to build a couple of "prototypes" this weekend, maple necks from Home Depot, plain cigar boxes from Michael's( I am hoping the kids will do art work to personalize their new ax!), tuners and strings from the local shop, threaded rod for the nut and bridge. I am looking for inexpensive slides, going to try some 3/4" copper, but it feels too thin. I am trying to stay away from glass just for the breakage problem. Thank you for the support. I am using the the ideas from plans posted on this site that are in my skill set.
- Brian S. Abbott > Brian S. Abbott April 2, 2012 at 9:39am
  
  Here's the fruits of my labors.
- Moon > Brian S. Abbott April 2, 2012 at 10:05am
  
  Good deal Brian.Fretless too that will keep the cost down and bulid time too.You might think about adding sound holes also.Good bulids! Moon
- Brian S. Abbott > Moon April 2, 2012 at 9:10pm
  
  What size sound holes have you found to work? is there an optimum placement or just looks good? The single string was a hit too! Brian
- Moon > Brian S. Abbott April 4, 2012 at 3:02pm
  
  Brian,On my last four builds I have been using 4 hole 3/4 inch with grommet in them.3/4 inch in from the sides of the box and placed 1 1/2in and 2 1/2 in from the front of the box.As far as the best placement,I dont know but this set up has worked well for me.
- Moon > Moon April 4, 2012 at 3:08pm
  
  Dont know if you cut a step under the box top on your neck,but this really helps bring out the sound.Happy building!Moon
- Brian S. Abbott > Moon April 4, 2012 at 3:43pm
  
  Hi Moon,
  
  Thanks for the hole placement guidance. I will try that out. I did do the cut out of the neck, but my technique is a bit dodgy. I used a handheld router which is pretty exciting but not so safe or accurate. How do you make your cuts? They look great and repeatable. My challenge is trying to use tools with kids and working for a county agency. So I may need to make up the pieces and have the kids put them together, maybe drill the holes and screw them together. Hopefully we can still sand and paint! I am thinking I will need to plan to be a small assembly line and have a standard. I'll tell you the single string is fun and intriguing! People are drawn to the instruments in the office!
- Moon > Brian S. Abbott April 4, 2012 at 4:03pm
  
  Thats Great about the one string get the word out there!!As far as the cuts on the neck in just use my table saw.It takes awhile as i do not have a dato blade for it,but for now i just make it by cutting one pass at a time.Yes i can see where you are running in to trouble.(Wanting the kids to do as much on the builds as the can! But safely)
Moon March 29, 2012 at 11:27am

Hi,Brian you have some great replies on this.Charlotte is right,dont under do it.Youll will be much happier with you cbg's if you build them simple ,but not cutting back on the over all out come!Ex. My first bulid i used paper clips glued down for thefrets.The guitar sounds good,but then the frets started falling off.So after the first one i have used real fret wire there after.Just my 2 cents worth! Happy building. Ps ive been getting 2+ cbg's out of a small pack of fret wire from C.B Gitty on a 25.5 inch scale. Hope this helps a little!