Tips/Finishing parts for a CBG.

Posted by D.C. Mansfield on November 30, 2010 at 12:27pm
  Hi all.
         Just finished my first CBG, an' I'm already getting started on my second!
  I'm after a couple of tips for my next guitar, can anyone help?
  Firstly, For the tailpiece, I just drilled some holes on the end of the neck and stuck the strings through, but I'm having some problems with the strings cutting into the wood.  Can anyone recommend a simple cheap solution?  I was thinking of making a tailpiece out of a door hinge, with 3mm holes drilled in it, and screwing it onto the end of the neck.
  Second, what's the best wood to use?  I want a strong wood with a nice colour, and was thinking of oak, as I can get it nearby.
Lastly, where can I get some of those metal corner that go on the corners (duh) of the box, and help protect it?  So far I can't find any in any uk shops/websites.
  Thanks all.
D.C.

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Replies

  • D.C. Mansfield December 3, 2010 at 2:38pm
    Hmm, not sure what I did there. Thanks for all the info, I'll be checking those sites out asap!
  • D.C. Mansfield December 3, 2010 at 2:37pm


    PRH said:
    His link is http://www.cbgitty.com/index.php (the add right next to this post it seems) and it's a wealth of info including a way to ask him about shipping. My cost to the US has been reasonable but you'll have to ask him.

    Craft stores I've used include Jo Ann fabrics http://www.joann.com/joann/home/home.jsp and Michaels crafts http://www.michaels.com/.

    G'luck.
    Paul H.
  • Paul H (PRH) December 1, 2010 at 9:21am
    His link is http://www.cbgitty.com/index.php (the add right next to this post it seems) and it's a wealth of info including a way to ask him about shipping. My cost to the US has been reasonable but you'll have to ask him.

    Craft stores I've used include Jo Ann fabrics http://www.joann.com/joann/home/home.jsp and Michaels crafts http://www.michaels.com/.

    G'luck.
    Paul H.
  • Ben Jarvis November 30, 2010 at 9:11pm
    also if you make a tailpiece out of wood, your best off looking at a timber that is very hard/dense, (not hard-woods per say) note the ebony that is used by luthiers other timbers you can look for, rosewood, wenge, mahogany, walnut, seasoned oak,
  • Ben Jarvis November 30, 2010 at 9:03pm
    safe man, im working on my first cbg and have been finding similar problems with supply ion the uk, but if you search "box corners" in ebay you will find some ones like amp corners for cheap or you can get some of the fanyier ones sent from the us for a little extra, as for the wood problem string ferrules are the ideal thing, perfect for the job and can be sourced quite cheap

    peace out

    Jarvis
  • Yellowbelly Flatt November 30, 2010 at 5:39pm
    Yes, I use pop rivets to stop the strings cutting into the wood. Just use a hacksaw to cut the snap off section to the depth required. There are ferrules available from guitar suppliers that do the job really well. Some of us have used hinges as tail pieces to hold the strings or a pair of brass (or similar) plates drilled out to hold the strings.

    If its just the strings cutting into the wood - rather than the string ends or nipples pulling through the wood, a length of bent coat hanger wire - like a big staple - can be located and glued into the neck via a pair of locating holes.

    I have a selection of violins and on these luthier built fiddles the strings are held very well in the wooden tail pieces.
  • D.C. Mansfield November 30, 2010 at 3:34pm
    Cheers Paul. Is the postage for C.B Gitty expensive? I'll have a look for the snap grommets, see how I get on.
  • Paul H (PRH) November 30, 2010 at 12:57pm
    I've used the bottom half of snap grommets as string ferrules (liners for the strings to pass through) with success. I get them from Ace hardware or craft type stores (really cheap).
    C.B. Gitty (from here on the Nation) has corners, I have a set and they look good, quite reasonable price too.
    Hope this helps.
    Paul H
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