G'day from NZ

Hey folks, (Admin) Thanks for the forum accept.

Just a quick intro from me, I'm a kiwi living in the South Island of New Zealand, been woodworking most of my life (47 years old) and have always been into music. I have an acoustic guitar and a uke hanging on my wall but always struggle to get past a few chords and string them together.

A few days ago a Justin Johnson clip popped up in my youtube feed, don't know why, but I checked it out and then fell down the rabbit hole... and here I am! :-) I have some parts ordered and plan on a fretless to start with.

Cheers

Steve

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Replies

  • Hey Steve, I'm another mainlander down in Oamaru.. Where abouts in the South are you lurking..

    • Hey Eric, I'm in Te Anau. Just waiting on a few parts to come in from Aus so I can start my first build. Have you made a few? Where are you sourcing boxes and bits from? Think I might just make my own boxes on any subsequent builds.

    • Ah you're just over in Central, not far from me.. I'm heading over your way after Xmas, one of my bucket list things to do is ride the Skippers Canyon Rd on my bike..

      I'm just completing my first build, it has been a bit of a learning curve and I've made lots of little mistakes that on future builds I can correct but it still sounds pretty good as it is..

      I'm making mine as cheap as possible from local sourced stuff.. I got the box off Trademe for $15 and I'm using recycled power pole cross members for the neck which I scored for free.. They look garbage but once you plane them down and sand them they come up cracker.. They're all Jarrah which if you don't know it is an Ozzie hardwood, seriously hardwood, you'll never bend it in a lifetime.. Once oiled it comes up with a gorgeous deep red lustre.. the tuners I just got from the local music shop for a couple of bucks a piece and I'm using an Allen key with slots filed in it for the nut..

      I haven't cut the sound hole as yet, still waiting to find the right something to put into it but I'll have a scavenge around the local recycle center for something that'll look good.. All up as a finished thing I'm aiming for under $50..

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    • Yeah... actually we're classed as Southland and also right on the edge of Fiordland. I've been over the Skippers on the way to a jetboat ride - quite an experience!

      Nice looking guitar! Yes I've dealt with Jarrah before, I agree very hard stuff but as you say comes up nice. They were renewing power poles this way recently, must remember to stop next time I see them. Thanks for the tip.

      I bought stuff out of Aus from MRWS instruments (box/tuners/pickup etc) and using a piece of Matai I had lying around for the neck. Next time I'm in Dunedin or Invercargill I'll hit all the second hand shops etc for gear and try and find someone selling cigars??? Do we even have cigar shops over here?

      I really like the old part of Oamaru (be a great pace to set up a CBG display/workshop...). Had a big night in the Criterion a few years ago.

  • G'day and welcome to the Nation Steve.  Don't worry about the rabbit hole, once you are down here there's no turning back.  CBGs are a great addiction hobby and you'll be building for the rest of your life.

  • Welcome Steve. We have some other Kiwi members here and some Aussie's so your not out of place here.

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