Okay... I'm getting my ducks in a row for my first three string build. Most of the three string CBGs I have seen look like the neck is about 1 1/2" wide. This is also consistent with most of the plans and videos I have seen outlining such a build. The string spacing looks to span the width of the fretboard/neck. I like this as I believe the wider spacing will lend itself nicely to my particular fingerstyle. Here is where my question comes in... I would also like to include a magnetic pickup in the design. I have located a couple different three string magnetic/coil pickups. Problem is, they seem to be built for a string spacing of 3/8". This is about what string spacing is on a normal six string guitar. Now, proportionately, that would make my neck about an inch wide and I don't know if I would want the neck that narrow. Bottom line... How wide do three string necks tend to be? Is there anyone out there that has encountered this problem? Any suggestions? Am I thinking too much? Does any of this even make sense? Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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another option is to use a soap bar humbucker (like a mini jazz or a "bar" humbucker) That way spacing is totally independent to pole spacing in a pickup. Or, you can take a six pole coil mag and angle it...
Thanks Rodney!
Brilliant... A P-bass pickup. I would never have thought of that in a million years. Perfect. How do they sound? I would think they would be optimized for bass strings or something. I wonder, would there be any benefit to using both halves of this split pickup right up against one another somewhat like a humbucker? Would there be any extra punch to the sound?
Just curious. The price is certainly right even if you only got one pickup, but two for fourteen dollars! The specially wound pickups for CBGs are usually in the $40-50.00 range. And like I posted earlier I would still have the string spacing issue.
Thanks for the advice!
hi there david, this might help. 1 1/2 x 3/4 is common stock lumber and its just right for a cbg. string spacing is up to you. so, if you use a bolt for the nut and the bridge for your first one, you can change the string spacing between the threads till you like it. for pickups try guitarpartsusa.com they have a p-bass pickup for 14 bucks, cut the wire that joins them and you now have two pickups. you can cut a finish nail and super glue it across the poles. look at some of my pics and you will see what i have done. good luck and happy building, its fun.
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the best,
Sam
Brilliant... A P-bass pickup. I would never have thought of that in a million years. Perfect. How do they sound? I would think they would be optimized for bass strings or something. I wonder, would there be any benefit to using both halves of this split pickup right up against one another somewhat like a humbucker? Would there be any extra punch to the sound?
Just curious. The price is certainly right even if you only got one pickup, but two for fourteen dollars! The specially wound pickups for CBGs are usually in the $40-50.00 range. And like I posted earlier I would still have the string spacing issue.
Thanks for the advice!