Just in, from Lincoln County in TN

Posted by TerryB on February 18, 2014 at 10:57am

Hey! Just getting into the cbg world. I've been entertaining myself on a concert uke for a couple of years, and being a woodworker/wood carver, and loving stringed instruments, I decided I wanted to build one. Thought I would practice on a dulcimer. When I researched that, I found strum sticks, which lead to cbg's. Watching you tube videos of 3 string cbg's being played, makes me think that even I can play one!

So I'm now in the process of running some rough sawn lumber through my jointer and planer, getting ready to build my first cbg. A new friend sent me 7 cigar boxes of various sizes, along with a few cbg parts. My biggest problem right now, is deciding which box I want to have as my 1st build, and which species of wood I want to use for the neck and fret board!

Looking forward to all the learning and sharing, thanks to cbn! (Since finding the cbg, I'm not much interested in trying to build a 'regular' uke anymore :)

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Replies

  • Thomas "Duck" Petry February 19, 2014 at 12:29am

    Welcome to the Nation Terry. Building these things is a lot of fun and being able to experiment and try out your ideas on each build is even better. Just starting on my 19th and 20th builds and have plans for many more in my head. Don't worry, they aren't the least bit addictive.

  • Comrade Paul February 18, 2014 at 8:54pm

    I'm a believer in hard maple myself.  Hard maple was good enough for the first telecasters so i think they're good enough for CBG without a separate fret board insert.  Menards's (if you have then out there) has 1x2 hard maple for 6$ per 6' length that I've had much good luck with.  There's kind of an ethic with CBG's to make do and try to build without expensive materials.  My father in law gave me an antique kitchen table leg that must be original growth lumber by the feel and heft. I'm going to saw in half and see if I can make a ukelele neck from it (two actually).  good luck

    Good luck.  

  • Chuck Cobillas February 18, 2014 at 1:25pm
    Welcome to CBN! I too am a wood carver and have been playing around with and building CBGs for 6 or 7 years now. I never really had any interest in playing stringed instruments until I built a few CBGs. I really can't play well but have fun learning a few tunes here and there.

    I have been using mostly red oak for the necks just because I can get it at the local Lowes and it seems to hold up well for Ukes and CBGs so far. As far as what size/shape box goes, that is what I think is fun to play around with different sizes and see what you like the sound of best. It seems they all have their own sound. Feel free to check out my photo albums on my page, maybe it will spark an idea for you.

    Best Regards!
    Chuck
  • Coventry Halfpenny guitars February 18, 2014 at 12:11pm

    hi

    you lucky man lol got a head start!enjoy yourself they are just about the most fun you can have with your clothes on :)

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