Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on July 23, 2014 at 6:12pm

Hi James, and welcome. The only thought I will add beyond what Wayfinder has already suggested is on the subject of bracing:

Think about the difference between an acoustic guitar and a solid body. You need to make a decision on whether it's acoustic volume or sustain which is more important to you, the stiffer the soundboard (box lid) the better the sustain but the quieter the acoustic volume. I would advise attaching the lid in some way as it may produce some unusual warbling sounds if it is too loose. Have a look at this one:

You can probably see there is a screw in each corner of the box. These fasten into pine braces at each corner (12mm square) which are glued to the sides and bottom of the box. With this guitar I went one further and braced the underside of the box lid (5mm ply) in a fan configuration, which helps with sustain. 

The neck is resting on a wooden block at either end of the box, which I make from offcuts from the neck blank. These are glued to the bottom of the box and the neck is screwed on from underneath.

I hope this helps, and happy building!

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Permalink Reply by James Pobog on July 24, 2014 at 2:44am

The 4 corners and neck blocks are exactly what I was thinking of.

My fisrt is not going to be electric, really a diatonic 4 string strummer. will the braces hurt volume?

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Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on July 24, 2014 at 2:53am

Cool. I wouldn't have thought using corners and blocks would affect volume too much. Using bracing under the lid probably would though. Just go for it mate - you'll have plenty of opportunities to perfect the art ;-)

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on July 23, 2014 at 6:14pm

James, with a neck thru' construction the box is taking no stress, so you don't need to reinforce it. I put couple of packers glued to the back of the box and screw the neck on thru' these. Don't glue the neck in, it's not necessary and allows you more leeway when you need to get at the electrics for repair work. I prefer to rest the underside of the box directly on the neck stick - contrary to what people may say, it can give a great acoustic delivery. I always used to build my guitars with the top 'floating' above the neck stick with a gap between them in the belief that this would help the acoustic sound, but after trying both ways, I've settled on the solid connection between top and neckstick - not exclusively, but probably 90% of my guitars are made that way.

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Permalink Reply by Sawbones on July 23, 2014 at 6:50pm

Yeah I busted up my 1st,but neck-thru-butt all I have to do is put a box on it.

I used to screw the top of the box directly to the neck.Works great,just doesn't look so good lol!

Been messing around w/ a frame inside the box,my last one turned out pretty good.But still learning!.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on July 24, 2014 at 3:38am

I don't use piezos except in a 3 element piezo-loaded bridge, usually with a preamp.  Used with the solid neck-to-top construction they can sound fantastic. Heres one....

Here's another with some overdrive..

Well...610 guitars and counting..everyone turns out a bit different, and I keep trying new things.

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on July 24, 2014 at 2:44pm

Rock on CBJ!  

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Permalink Reply by Sawbones on July 25, 2014 at 9:41pm

Huh...I'm a new guy.I found piezo's work great under the bridge,as many have said;they sound pretty good.

You must mess around w/ position.You will find the sweet spot.

Been playing 30+yrs,so I know how to get a tone out of a turnip!lol!.

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Permalink Reply by Sawbones on July 26, 2014 at 1:18am

Yes you are right WF!!!

Sweet,I need to do an amp w/ a CB.

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Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on July 26, 2014 at 7:19am

you have made a good start, good choice of box, poplar  through neck red oak  fretboard-  I always brace along under the neck  going through the box with a support block the same width as the neck and leave the lid resting on top fairly firmly to sound the best, having it too loose will make it sound boomy.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profiles/blogs/building-the-lady-a-st...

 

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