I am new to this forum and am building my first CBG. I'm planning on a "through the box" neck and need to know if space should be left inside the box between the box top and the neck. I've looked at a number of plans and this is never quite clear. Also, what is the recommended way to make sure the box is properly secured to the neck? Any help/suggestions greatly appreciated.
Art.
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A couple of my good builds were having the neck attached to the top, of the soundboard/CB lid. They are easy to build and sound great. I have also attached to the underneath of lid, with either glue or screws.
Ok... So the best ukulele I have build have neck glued directly to top (not entirely neck-thru, the neck ends ain about 2/3 of the box length).
But best diddely bow has space left under the top (neck-thru).
I have two CBGs with neck-thru and without any space - the top is just laying on the neck - no glue, screws or anything. I fell that he neck is quite secure because the string tension presses the top to the neck underneath.
Right now I would build one with space - but just out of curiosity rather than anything else.
Contrary to popular belief that you will get better resonation with a space , I believe gluing right to the top resos the whole guitar as one much better . Most that have tried the same exact box trying both ways , say the one glued to the lid actually sounded better . many also say they can't see the difference . I have seen experienced builders that swore by leaving a space , change their mind after trying glued or screwed right to the lid once .
(more on the topic ) https://cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/neck-touching-inside-of-box...
(even copy and pasted my own answer ) lol.
I've tried leaving the gaps in on most of my builds...but only on the standard 'neck-thru' builds.
I've also tried the 'Uncle Crow' method of placing the entire stick on TOP of the Soundboard-but since that isn't an actual 'stick-thru' build (the end of the stick usually terminates half-way down the box, leaving more box to vibrate) I can't tell if either method makes a difference...
The only way i'm ever going to be knowledgeable about this question is if i ever-
-find three identical boxes with identical tones (difficult)
-make three identical necks (one with a pre-cut space)
-make two neck-thru and one 'Uncle Crow' style guitar, with identical soundholes.
Sounds like fun, right? :D At any rate, all three should play pretty well-have fun!
Remember to send them all to me ... ummm.. to " test" ;-D
My first I glued the neck to the top and it sounds great - still - after 5 years
All the rest I left a gap between the neck and the box except for the ends - acoustically they all still sound great my customers tell me - no complaints.
From where I sit it seems not to matter - but I now always leave a gap.
The neck is screwed into a brace at both ends, which is then screwed into the ends of the box. This leaves a clean top no screws visible. My preference.
Many thanks Joe for your info. I will leave a gap at the top of the box.
Art
Mount a block of wood under the neck at each end of the box to fasten it.
Thank you for that. I will leave a gap.
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