Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dave Lynas on January 28, 2014 at 12:38am

Steve, i was referring to 1 inch by 2 inch lumber used as neck stock. Often oak or Maple. Many builders use this to make a quick and easy neck. The CBG i was talking about is a 4 string fretted for finger picking. This lumber is good for small necks like my "Chugger" by Speal. It's just a 2 string diddley bow and the neck has stayed strait. The 4 string has a long neck and more string tension. It bowed badly. I'm sure there are lots of fellows with strait necks using 1x2s but i don't trust it now that i've had a problem. I've been using 2x2s or bigger and carving the profile to look more like a regular guitar neck and so far no problems if i get some clear (no knots) material to start with and grain right for a neck. I add a hardwood fretboard to that for added strength.

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on February 18, 2014 at 7:22am

Jumping in here.  There are 1x2 and then there are 1x2's.  Yes, even good hardwood can bow over time, but...hard maplecor oak 1x2 necks WITH an additional 1/4 inch fretboard should be good for a long time.  I have CBG that are pushing 7 years old build that way with not a hint of bowing.  

One trick is to look at the wood your using for obvious defects including open grain.  Also which way is it bowing now?  All wood will want to move one way or the other.  Build so the string pull is in the opposite direction.  Sadly, some players try for too high a tuning instead of replacing with right sized strings.  Over tensioning can ruin any neck.

Cheap Cbgs are eiher novice builds or mass produced.  Except for a couple builders, including Shane's of which I have a couple, I'd save my coin or build my own.

Permalink Reply by Buddy Carroll on February 18, 2014 at 7:50am

Its just a learning lesson Sam. All is not lost. I bought a great 4 string from Humidor CBG and liked it so well I ordered a 3 string.

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on February 18, 2014 at 9:49am

Good for you.  Now to the woodshed!!

Permalink Reply by Buddy Carroll on February 18, 2014 at 2:27pm

Hey Sam.. Im 68 yrs old and I HAVE been to the woodshed. In fact I'm so old, It was still legal to take my kids to the woodshed back then..... DONT try it now..lol

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on February 19, 2014 at 3:59pm

I was sure you knew about the woodshed.  Can't accomplish much without putting in the time.  Grew up in Mid-Missouri in the '50s...just go to old ideas.  

the best, Wichita Sam

Permalink Reply by Buddy Carroll on February 20, 2014 at 12:00am

AH yes.  Mid- Missouri in the 50's. Such a peaceful, booming, prosperous era. You know. "A chicken in every pot. A car in every garage"  Man.. what I'd give to go back to those days.

Permalink Reply by Buddy Carroll on February 19, 2014 at 1:43am

UPDATE...UPDATE. I reworked the junk guitar from Ebay and am now pleased with it. I raised the bridge and took care of the flat fretting, tightened the tuning keys and changed the sound hole cover to resolve the "rattling".  It had a peizo pickup which actually worked like a microphone. It picked up my voice and sounded really scratchy if I touched the box.

          I called Dan Sleep at HUMIDOR Guitars and he shipped me one of his hand made pick ups. I couldn't get the pick up to work so I called Dan again and he told me how to wire it. He also said if it didn't work, he would ship me another one to replace it. I wired the pickup like Dan told me and I was amazed at the sound that came out of the junk guitar.

         I liked the sound it so much I didn't even try to reset the intonation, (yet) I just played it...   LOL   THANKS AGAIN DAN.  I'll be posting a video of it this morning.  See ya'll at the Hiway 61 Roadhouse this Sat.  Here's the link: http://www.hwy61roadhouse.com/

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