AGP #401 “Bellyliker”3 String Fretted GuitarScale 609mm/24 inchesStrings 44BW/30BW/20PS/Tuned G D gThis was an initial attempt to build a Prima Balalaika, BUT!, I didn’t take enough care or notice with the Body Shape and Dimensions, so couldn’t get the correct scale length to fit properly on the Box Body, so it ended up as Balalaika Type Looking 3 String Guitar.The Neck and Box Sides are 19mm free recycled Solid Pine, the Box Top and Bottom are 3mm Pine Ply, which have 3 coats of Feast and Watsons Brush On French Polish applied, a 35mm Piezo Disc is currently wired through a Volume Knob to the Output Jack, and although this build sounds reasonably loud and nice unplugged, but!, as I have found over the years, when Amped Up the Piezo sounds like Crap!, thinking about keeping it as is, to remind me why I have never been a fan of Piezo Pickups, and shouldn’t use the bloody things, so it will probably soon be modified, to include a Mag Pup, and it also has a bit fret buzz which will need filing down.But after all that, I’m quite chuffed with the look of this budget build. :-)
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"Thanks Ambrose", the French Polish definitely gives the timber used a darker more mellow tone, which is great on some types of wood, but not so great on others :-)
"Thanks UJ", the pics were taken with my new phone, and to me they look a bit sharp & harsh, the Git actually has a more mellow look to it, looks great, but not very happy with the sound of it, especially when plugged in, so will add a Mag Pup, fix the Fret Buzz and probably change the strings in the near future! :-)
Great build, I have seen some 3 string bellylikers tuned to GBd instead of the obvious EEa tuning. Did you try any other tunings? Don’t worry about the body, it’s just a tad small in the corners than a prima, but you nailed it anyway! :)
Comments
"Thanks Ambrose", the French Polish definitely gives the timber used a darker more mellow tone, which is great on some types of wood, but not so great on others :-)
A VERY Neat build AGP! The french polish has added a deep glow to the finish. Nice job on the sound hole.
"Thanks UJ", the pics were taken with my new phone, and to me they look a bit sharp & harsh, the Git actually has a more mellow look to it, looks great, but not very happy with the sound of it, especially when plugged in, so will add a Mag Pup, fix the Fret Buzz and probably change the strings in the near future! :-)
"Thanks BQ", Yep!, did try EEA but didn't like it, could be a few alterations coming up soon! :-)
Great build, I have seen some 3 string bellylikers tuned to GBd instead of the obvious EEa tuning. Did you try any other tunings? Don’t worry about the body, it’s just a tad small in the corners than a prima, but you nailed it anyway! :)