I tried a search of this forum but didn't come up with hits that addressed what I'm talking about.

I'm new to CGB building and have spend a number of evening bouncing around the internet looking at building instructions and videos.

I hit a video a few days ago that talks about cutting a 3 degree taper on the top side of the portion of the neck that is inside the box. This will cause the neck to angle downward (from box to head).

According to the video, this is done to address bending of the neck under string pressure and help keep the action height constant across the length of the fret board.

Is anyone familiar with this technique? Is 3 degrees the default standard?

Thanks

Tom T

Views: 1248

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I give all my builds at least a 3 degree back angle to improve playability, most commercial guitars also have this back angle.

3 degrees is not a standard but seems to be the best compromise. Lutes tend to have a more extreme angle.

I built a two string gourd bass with a 12 degree back angle to compensate for the high bridge.

Thanks for a quick response Robert. This site is proving invaluable in adding to my limited knowledge base. You use of a 3 degree neck angle is good enough for me.

Thanks again

Tom T

Are you not thinking of the extreme headstock angle on a lute ?

Seems legit. Some here have even put on necks with adjustable angles. The exception is for fretless instruments where the height of the strings doesn't matter. All a balancing act between the string tension pushing the bridge down and the height of the strings over the fretboard. Then again the main rule of cigar box guitars is there are no rules and of the rules it doesn't have a 3 degree angle sounds like a very good one.

pitched necks and tall bridges are great!

 

warning: once you start you'll never go back.

Why?  a greater percentage of the string tension is directed downward into the box. = much more volume.  Take a look at a violin.

some years ago i worked out a easy way to do it with a scarf join on a bandsaw, see here http://handmademusicclubhouse.com/photo/thetinyguitarsbodyendscarfj...

3 degrees is sod all, i don't measure, i just rule a line and cut, but its more like 7-10 for sure.   enjoy

I really appreciate your inclusion of the link to the photo. So, you cut the angle you want out of the top section of the neck where it passes thorough the box, then glue it on the bottom so the two sections remain parallel to one another, but the neck above the box is tilted down..........

Very clever.....

Thanks

Tom T

Wow, you just blew my mind.

Of course, you have earned the right to blow my mind with your "I See Threes" lesson in the basics of music theory.

That scarf joint inside the box, to angle the neck, is such an elegant solution to alter the string tension on the box lid.

On my ukes with CB Gitty concert necks & fretboards, I attach then to the box with a hanger bolt after I cut anywhere from 1 to 3 degree down angle to the heal.  Most of the time it's 1 to 1.5 degrees.  3 degrees if huge.  Remember - trucks have to use low gear on 6 degree down grades.  Even at 1 degree, sometime I have to put a tooth pick under the bottom of the heal, because the strings hits the 12th fret.

Thanks Will.

I actually drew out all of this to see what it looked like full scale.

With a 25" scale and a 1/4" fret board flush with the top of the box, I need a bridge 1/2" tall to keep the strings a constant distance from the fret board from nut to the end of the fret board. That is, of course before any bending of the neck under string pressure. That would lead to use of shorter bridge to keep strings parallel.

I'm a ways from construction of a new neck, but gathering this type of information is useful.

Thanks for your help.

Tom T

Make the bridge last and it'll all come together great. Let the angles and desired string action dictate the height of the bridge

That's my thinking.......

Thanks

T

  This is a little off subject ,  but I always put the bottom of a 1/4" fret board flush with the box, so the top of the fret board is a 1/4" above the box .    That moves the strings further away from the box and makes it easier to pick with out hitting the box .   

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

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!"
16 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
16 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
17 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…
17 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?"
20 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…"
22 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
Papa D commented on Papa D's photo
Thumbnail

american1 Sun Glo

"Thanx AGP & Doug..  4 more coming soon"
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 -->