Hey guys! Sorry I haven't been around in a while. But I got my first build (mostly) done! I was inspired yesterday and decided to plow through the final steps.
Woot! I have no idea how to play, and I think I'm gonna make up a fret board for it. But I'm damned proud.
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Thanks guys! I couldn't have done it (and probably wouldn't have) if it weren't for the awesome support of this community. And Wichita Sam sent me all of the components (save the box and the neck), so a special thanks goes out to him for his generosity.
I should have listened to him, too, and fretted it right off the bat. The action's WAY too high to finger out any notes/chords. I can't lower the tuning pegs because the chunk I cut out of the headstock is too deep. I guess I could add a wooden spacer to lower the pegs, but I'm thinking I'll add a fret board. I'm gonna buy a couple of 1/4x2x2 boards, try and fret them, and see if I can't just stick them on top of the neck.
I'm really pleased with the way it turned out, regardless of the fretting. My next build is gonna be my father's Christmas present, so I'm gonna pull out all the stops. Stain it, carve proper F-holes, use a nicer cigar box, maybe burn my signature into the back. I can't wait!
-Chris
Looks like a player to me! Now that you're firmly hooked, it's time to start going through those how to play videos and working on your second build. :)
One thing you might want to experiment with even on Juliet is moving the bridge bolt out onto the soundboard (lid) a little further to see how that changes the tone and volume you get. Every box has a different sweet spot where you'll really like the sound. I can spend an almost embarrassing amount of time to rapping on the lids and backs of boxes with a knuckle in different places to figure out what sounds best. I'll then use the spot I like as the bridge point to measure out the scale length I'm looking for.
Welcome to the addiction! :)