Comments

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  Bear August 20, 2010 at 4:49pm

  Kenyon -- You could either try another box, or put a pickup in it. I hear ya' though...
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  Bear August 17, 2010 at 8:11pm

  Howdy, Kenyon! Most of the time, I prefer to use the top of the cigar box, 'cause it's always prettier, and it makes it easier to fit the neck to it. Occasionally, I'll use the bottom of a box that I really want to use, if the bottom "taps" a lot better than the top, i.e., if it just resonates much better when I tap it. I've got a roomful of cigar boxes I'll probably never use because they don't pass the "tap test" on either top or bottom! As for strings, I use regular ball-end guitar strings that I buy individually in the following ranges: 1st: .009-.010/ 2nd: .011-.012/ 3rd: .014-.016/ 4th .020-.024/ 5th: .009-.010
  
  I think that's "light" to "medium" gauge for banjo strings; but anything in those ranges seems to work fine for me. Just depends on what's available at the music store at the moment, or maybe just the mood I'm in!
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  Bear July 14, 2010 at 4:11pm

  Alright, NOW I know how to add somebody as a friend! Thanks. As for 6-string necks, I don't know how much advice you need -- you seem to be making pretty good necks! Basically, though, I just try to make a neck that's got the same feel as a regular electric guitar neck, so, a shade over 1 5/8" wide at the nut, about 13/16" thick at the first fret, etc. About the only difference between mine and a normal bolt-on neck is the scale length: I've settled on 23" as being about right for the cigar boxes I use. That, and NO truss rod. Instead, I use only quartersawn hardwoods (mostly cherry) which is stong enough to counteract string tension perfectly. A local supplier has hardwood "turning squares" from which I pick ones that I can cut to be perfectly quartersawn, and get two necks per turning saquare.
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  Bear July 13, 2010 at 6:30pm

  Kenyon, I'm already listed as a friend on your page ("view all"). 'Sides, I can't seem to get how to invite somebody without having their e-mail address...
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  Bear July 12, 2010 at 11:35am

  Hey, Kenyon -- Not sure what you're asking... Looks like you're listed as one of my friends, and I one of yours. Tell you the truth, though, I still have trouble figgerin' out this new-fangled "social media" stuff!
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  Tony Esposito June 22, 2010 at 8:01pm

  Thanks for accepting my friend request. I am finding the CBG more difficult to learn then the 6 string. I would love to chat with you about CBG's and yes maybe we can help each other in some way.
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  Bear May 24, 2010 at 7:02pm

  Kenyon -- Thanks for the friend invite! Nice work on your instruments, too. I gotta make an amp like yours someday!
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  Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates May 14, 2010 at 6:40am

  Hey chief, sorry I was in Atlanta these past few days and busted my laptop so no Internet on the road...
  
  ... Hmmm I would say about a 500MB flash would be sufficient. You prolly have that or better. I've only sent half that up to divshare.
  
  HEh, funny you saw them ... or at least recognized them as me but then again, it has Simpsonville on it. Web68 is me on ebay. one is already sold.
  
  -WY
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  Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates May 3, 2010 at 10:18pm

  C8^(|) <-- Homer Simpson in smiley
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  Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates May 3, 2010 at 10:17pm

  :-)
  
  no prob. Its a LOT of stuff tho. Good luck.
  
  -Wes