I have a lack of sustain on my 3 string guitars: using A-D-G strings tuned G-D-G, my lowest string (the A tuned to G) has a noticeable lack of sustain, especially with a slide, from about the 10th fret on up. I notice it more with a tailpiece than with strings coming through the bottom of the neck. Any suggestions? Note- it is not really a big deal to me, but if I can improve it, it'd be nice.

Views: 1329

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

By the way, I build fretless, so using the word fret really means the line on the neck. I also expect fretless fingering to be more muted, it's more of an issue with slides in glass or brass.

Materials used for the nut and saddle can improve or hinder sustain, as well as the mass underneath these two points of string contact.

A lot of builders I see are using stove bolts or threaded rods...but bone is better. Even better than that is stone, but difficult to shape.

Tailpieces look nice, but for cbg purposes regarding sustain, I prefer to run strings through tail end of neck.

Also, might try something like Randy Bretz's half n half bone slides.

I've tried bone, hardwood and bolts on many builds, while bone has a cool sound, nothing beats metal bolts.

maybe try thicker strings and or tuning up a step

Need more tension IMHO. Pitch your necks for taller bridges and crank it higher, use fatter strings

seems like the opposite to me, tuning up gives even less sustain, as does raising the bridge.

Slack strings don't have the energy for sustain, so tighter is better. Longer scales help increase tension. Also, if there are any components vibrating it will rob energy from the vibration of the string, and cut sustain.

One other thing; harder woods will also help increase sustain... if you are using pine step up to poplar, if you're using poplar step up to maple or oak, or even ash, hickory or walnut if you can find them.

Try bracing the sides of your cigar boxes, especially the long sides, and add a rigid support under the neck - inside the box.  For this purpose I have used some scrap 1x2 pine that is light weight.

The box lid is a big factor as well.  Hardboard lids are likely worse than all-wood lids for sustain (I guess).

Screw or glue the perimeter of the lid to the edges.

Try a different brand and alloy of strings.  I have some acoustic strings that just seem numb while the Elixir nanoweb strings just seem to growl and shine.

Just some ideas that I have tried.  My second build is an all-wood Punch box with the aforementioned specs.  The sustain is surprising given the all-thread nut and thumb screw bridge.

I'm going to jump on the string bandwagon. The longest sustaining build I've made is a one-string boat paddle bass. 36" scale. .105 gauge string, tuned to D. Sting vibrates past 30 seconds. Using a one-pole flatpup it just goes forever. I don't know what wood the paddle is made of, but it's not exotic hardwood and since it's a paddle, there's no sound chamber or box.

If your strings are tight enough they'll vibrate long enough. I wager that a cigar box isn't a sensitive enough thing to amplify the strings past a certain point in the sound's decay, but that doesn't mean the strings aren't still vibrating.

In addition to strings, neck wood, bracing, your slide material, thickness and weight of same will affect sustain. Heavy chrome steel increases sustain, as does thick walled glass, and some ceramics.

it's all about vibrations

pretty much what has been said I have found success. A compressor can help a bit if you are electrified,

i would suggest:

- a thin soundboard that is free to vibrate

-a long scale length

-bone, metal, or corian nut and bridge

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

Doug Thorsvik posted a video

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

Cigar Box Guitar Slingers - Spokane, 195th Zoom Mtg 03/25/24. Only 1-finger chords, free songbooks here: https://www.cbgslinger.com/download CBG SOF Songbook...
44 minutes ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you Poorness ! for loving it ! appreciated!"
17 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
17 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
18 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Punch Project!

She now sports gold metal CBGitty knobs, speaker and an Artec 2.5 watt speaker. Finished this in…
18 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Project Punch!

Gonna finally get back on this long-delayed project that is more than half complete. (The matching…
18 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
20 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
21 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"I appreciate the kind words Papa D! I have always loved the look of these cigar boxes. Glad to have…"
23 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
yesterday
A.D.EKER posted a video

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

The recorded History By Alan Lomax for the library of Congres of the Blues, from Mc Kinley Morganfield (Aka Muddy Waters) the in this take recorded Tribute ...
yesterday
Papa D commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"Beautiful..Nice work Doug.."
yesterday

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->