Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MadGomer on May 8, 2017 at 4:33pm

No problemo Peter, you can either build with the box upside down (lid against your belly) or if your box has a deep lid rather than a flat one, attach your neck to the lid with a notch cutout in the bottom that allows the whole lid/neck assembly to hinge open when you need to get inside. Probably can even do that with a flat lid but I haven't tried.

Permalink Reply by gary sheldon on May 8, 2017 at 5:28pm

I think all of mine have been fretboard overlays the sound board.  It presents some interesting challenges.  You can do as Mad says and use the box upside down.  If you are really attached to the look of the graphics, you have to go farther .  The other issue is the neck attachement if you are not building a neck through.  I am building mostly ukuleles with the neck attached to the box.  You will need space to get hands and tools in there to make the attachment.  I have been modifying my boxes to use a Winchester style attatchment.  That can either be from the side or from the rear.

Anyway, welcome to guitar building

I have also used MadGomer's upside down box method.

Permalink Reply by ChatterBox on May 9, 2017 at 1:07am

Peter,

   My builds are mostly neck thru with an overlay.

Depending on the customer's needs and what kind of PuP (if any), I cut out a large section of the neck to elevate it above the box.  Reinforce the box and neck with a oak and attach it to the lib.  So no matter how thin the lid is it will not curl.  This will also allow you to open the box without taking off the strings.

Hope this helps,

ChatterBox

Permalink Reply by Joe Caruso on May 9, 2017 at 3:11am

Wow! I had never thought of attaching the through neck directly to the lid rather than the box. Thanks for posting ChatterBox.

Permalink Reply by ChatterBox on May 9, 2017 at 6:51am

Glad to help.

Permalink Reply by Peter Solomon on May 20, 2017 at 7:57am

Hey, guys, thanks for all the thoughtful and helpful replies. Since this is my first fretted build with my first mag pickup (CBGitty single coil), I think I'll go with the fret board stopping at the box rather than overlaying the box.  Let's keep it simpler, don't drive myself crazy.

Once again, thanks for assisting my quest.

Peter