setting up for max mojo

Posted by Craig Cox on June 8, 2010 at 9:28pm
First build is done, now I'm fine tuning the set up and hoping you folks can help.  The nut height seems ok, but I'm afraid my brilliant idea of using the top plate from an old harp won't work on this fret-less and fingerboard-less guit. It looks great, but the string height at the 12th fret and the box lid is 1/4"! I plan on playing with a slide (never tried that, btw) so I know the action should be high, but that high?

Also, it's kind of buzzy, so I wonder if the harp plate is the wrong shape as well as height. The strings contact the back (mouth side) as well as the high front edge. Here's a low-res photo of the bridge.

One more thing. Tunings? I started with GDG, but it seemed "loose" so I tuned up to GBD. More tension, but now sounds banjo-like. Have not plugged in yet as I have no amp, yet.
BTW, here's a handy online tuner sent to me by the estimable Darren over at Backporch Mojo:

craig

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Replies

  • Wichita Sam June 9, 2010 at 9:40am
    DS is right about height... if only slide, no problem.... the buzzing/banjoey sound might be do to excessive flexing of the harp cover itself (could be acting as a mini-resonator).... can you insert a chunk of hardwood between the underside of the cover and the CBG top to form a solid contact strings/cover/wood/top.... should help on all accounts...

    nice rig,
    the best,

    Wichita Sam
  • Doctor Steve June 9, 2010 at 1:38am
    For tuning, you could try AEA. This the same intervals (151) as GDG, a step higher. In my opinion, setup for slide can be as high as you are comfortable with. For example, the are diddley bows say an inch high.
  • Alan Roberts June 9, 2010 at 12:43am
    I bet if you walked into a guitar store with that thing they'd BEG you to plug it in.

    Harp plate is rounded and you want something with a clean 90 degree break on it. You might want to put a thin bolt on top.

    All my books are out in the shop, so I can't tell you what action you want for slide. Tomorrow.
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