I've been gathering parts for weeks and finally had a chance to put some of them together today. I chose the LegenDario Bertha box, red oak neck, bone nut, and hickory bridge. It has a 22.5" diatonic scale - a standard strumthing. I'm still on the fence about a sound hole. It sounds good, just not loud.
I know a few things I will do different next time and would welcome any comments.
Replies
Steve,
almost every string instrument has the top free to vibrate (if exceptionally thin, braced). Of course there will be slight "bowing" under string tension, but that's OK. on neck thru's I usuallly have 1/8 to 3/16 relief and have never had a CB top box enough to contact the neck thru, even after as much as 2 years...
the obvious excepton to this rule is dulcimers with the neck in contact with the top....
the best,
WS
First of all Scott, thanks for your reply - a very neat first build! (-8
@Wichita Sam - you mention "a neck thru you reliefed under the top to allow it to vibrate freely"...i have seen this idea before but if the bridge is sat directly above would string tension not cause the bridge to press down on the soundboard causing it to bow? Or if the bridge was supported by the glued neck and the "scoop" was set further forward would this act as a better resonator?
..sorry - questions, questions... (-;
Wichita Sam said:
Check out this video by Chickenbone John,
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/strummstik-style-3-string
it explains it all and, in fact, inspired me to start this whole thing. A friend of mine coveted my strumstick and I didn't want to give it up. While looking for a strumstick for him I came across this video...so I decided to build him one (started on it tonight with an ACID box)
I have a collection of "Brick House" boxes I want to experiment with now.
IMG_0541.JPG
IMG_0539.JPG
IMG_0538.JPG
Scott,
The best teacher is experience, particularly "non-fatal failure." Fixing a mistake can be very instructive and the learning is usually permemant, who likes doing something over?
Someone on one of the forums once said "The best builders aren't the ones who don't make mistakes...they are the one's that learn how to make their mistakes into great playing CBGs." anon.-Wichita Sam paraphrase....
the best,
WS
Very cool first build. Many great features. Would you mind showing/telling us how you did the neck heal?
thanks!
Keep up the good work.