Comment

Comment by Murray Wall on November 14, 2022 at 7:20pm

Hi

Action height.  Where/how do you measure it? What should it be?

Fretted fret board, strumming, no slide.  Now looking at a 23" scale.

Comment by MadGomer on November 13, 2022 at 12:24pm

My understanding is that the scale length is theoretically the vibrating string length between the nut and the peak of the saddle as Taffy states, but that actual distance is generally greater because in reality the vibrating string length is less so you have to compensate for it by sliding the saddle a bit further from the nut. Some of the online fret calculators attempt to show the compensated bridge position (thicker/stiffer strings require more deviation than light/flexible strings).

Comment by Taffy Evans on November 13, 2022 at 8:50am

Hi again, you may find that the guitar has had compensation added to correct intonation, but the scale is from front edge of a nut to the centre of the saddle. If the saddle has crown on it. If not to the front of the saddle. Hope this makes sense.
Taff

Comment by Murray Wall on November 13, 2022 at 8:20am

Hi Taffy

Thank you for the photo, it provides a lot of thinking ideas.

Another item on my list is fret placement.  I have a fret spacing calculator based on the rule of 17.817.  When I compare the fret spacings from the calculator with a junk acoustic guitar I'm using for parts, it appears that the measurement is to the bridge edge of the fret and not the crown.  Is this normal?

I'm starting the measurement from the fret board side of the nut.

The between fret spacings from the calculator are correct for the junk guitar with it's 25.5" scale.

Comment by BrianQ. on November 13, 2022 at 7:36am

Hey Murray, here’s some reading on string selection:

https://www.cigarboxguitar.com/knowledge-base/how-to-pick-the-right...

Comment by Taffy Evans on November 12, 2022 at 6:18pm

Hi, a bit more info for you that you may wish to consider.

In my experience, shorter scale lengths will lessen the tension of the strings on the neck, so the strings you choose may have to be of a heavier gauge for good playability, especially if using a slide.

I prefer a 25” scale on my CBGs, for one thing, it puts the bridge where I like it on the box. As the 3-4-string necks are narrow, mine are 30mm, I go for a square section neck at 25mm deep including the fretboard, with a 7mm radius round over on the back so it’s comfortable. Anyway, only a thumb touches the back of the neck so I’m not too fussed about neck contour, leaves more wood in the neck.

In the photo is a pine neck with hardwood reinforcement [just showing at end of the fretboard, 2 years strung up and as flat as day one.
Cheers Taff

Comment by BrianQ. on November 12, 2022 at 5:22pm

I like to use shorter scale lengths (20”-23”)for softer woods, bowing will be minimal. The scale length that Shane made the default is 23”?  Neck warping usually happens when it’s tuned above normal playing tension, especially with longer scale instruments without a hardwood fretboard? You’ll find that a hardwood fretboard  goes a long way?

Comment by Murray Wall on November 12, 2022 at 2:00pm

@ Taffy Evans

Thank you for the photos, they explain it well.

Comment by Murray Wall on November 12, 2022 at 1:58pm

@ Mark Bliss

The build is for a standard 3 string 25" scale CBG. Well, I think 25" is the standard (I'm a beginner here). If not let me know?

Comment by Mark Bliss on November 12, 2022 at 12:23pm

@Murray Wall

You don't mention many factors that would affect the answer, as far as need. The largest fact probably being the number of strings.

Grain perpedicular to the fingerboard, such as illustrated by @Taffy Evans certainly improves stiffness in the desired manner, as would the mentioned lamination or separate fretboard.

But in the end, since most CBG's are three or four strings and short scale- the issue is usually not nearly as critical as some seem to think. 

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