builders--not players

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on February 20, 2011 at 12:00am

Thomas, congrats, CBGs are a great way to tap the creative drive.  Build/play do what you enjoy and let it grow naturally.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on February 20, 2011 at 11:54am

That do stink about the finger.  I have had some close calls, but I try to be careful...  Still had a recent incident trying to miter too small a piece.  I am on board with quite a few of the comments before mine; Henry, Wes, Ellwood and especially Micheal S.

I did not know how to have much fun playing my first few builds.   But I learned what works for me.  I have a blast playing now.  I have tried every string # from 1-5 and maybe 10 different tunings.  I was a 2 or 4 string guy for quite a while and right now I am a 2 and 3 string guy.  Find a style you like and learn some songs.  Sing!   Easiest, I think is a 2 string tuned an octave apart.  I have a teaching video on it on the nation.  It is fun and easy, but limited.

 

With my fretted 3 string tuned DGB (the same as a storebought's 2,3,4 strings), I can play in a lot of keys: G, C, D, E and A.  Very versatile and mostly 2 fingered chords with the exception of Am, Bm and F

 

I encourage you folks to try this tuning in the key of G.  One open strummed chord, 2 two finger chords, a 1 finger Em and an easy way to make a boogie sound.   A G chord is open,  a 2 finger C has the small string fretted above the 1rst fret and the big string above the 2nd fret.   A D7 is the small string fretted above the first fret and the middle string above the 2nd fret.   2 two finger chords and you are playing tons of songs.

 

If you try it and have questions, contact me.  I want to help.

 

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Permalink Reply by Eric J Kadle/Cotton eyed Joe's on February 20, 2011 at 5:26pm

I agree with you Sam because as I get further into my builds I find that what was good or acceptable on my first few builds just is not accepted any longer by myself. From my first to my latest build I have seen many improvements such as fret work and the action is alot lower. I did find what works better the more I play. I must say I bought my first six string about ten years ago and played to my own ear for about six years nightly. Then for some odd reason I hardly ever picked it up for the next 4 years. I am glad to say that the CBG revolution has got me hooked again and I play as much as I can. Thanks to all on the Nation.

Wichita Sam said:

Eric,

 

I would say that as I've improved as a player, I've gotten more discriminating as a builder.  What I used to think as good action, I would not be satisfied with today.  Maybe that's why so many non-players stick with  non-fretted, slide, high action CBGs....  Good from what they are and capable of some good music, but not what a lot of players are looking for.

 

I currently was invited to do a build for the regular band guitarist for a major country star (more on that later).  I guarrentee you that I wouldn't have gotten the invite if I wasn't able to put out a good, fast action fretted CBG with good wound pups and tone/volume controls.

 

Shane once gave me advice that "the CBG that sells the best is the one you play the best."  I'd add that you build better as you play better.

 

the best,

 

Wichita Sam

Eric J Kadle/Cotton eyed Joe's said:

I have answered the question many of times . Are they a real instrument , can you play it? and my answer is yes its real and yes they can be played but not by me. I have asked purchasers of my guitars to post videos so I could see them in action. Finally a young gentleman named Chris did and I must say I was impressed at what it sounded like. Because to be honest I always wondered because when I play it ( sound check) I don't hear that John Mc Nair or grand dad Shane Speal. I also agree with everyone that just kicking back, player or not, and plucking or strumming the strings on your newly built guitar is by far one of the most rewarding things of all. I must say to that 30 builds later I am starting to get the hang of the playing thing. I will never be a Shane Speal or Mc Nair but it sounds good to me so thats all that matters to me. I am glad there is the flip side of the coin (players not builders) otherwise I would have to build an addition just to house my instruments.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on February 20, 2011 at 5:50pm

Yup on this.  I have some okay builds that are now beneath my standards.  What do I do with them?  Don't feel good about selling them or gifting them.  Fine wall hangers....  :(

Eric J Kadle/Cotton eyed Joe's said:

I agree with you Sam because as I get further into my builds I find that what was good or acceptable on my first few builds just is not accepted any longer by myself. From my first to my latest build I have seen many improvements such as fret work and the action is alot lower. I did find what works better the more I play. I must say I bought my first six string about ten years ago and played to my own ear for about six years nightly. Then for some odd reason I hardly ever picked it up for the next 4 years. I am glad to say that the CBG revolution has got me hooked again and I play as much as I can. Thanks to all on the Nation.

Wichita Sam said:

Eric,

 

I would say that as I've improved as a player, I've gotten more discriminating as a builder.  What I used to think as good action, I would not be satisfied with today.  Maybe that's why so many non-players stick with  non-fretted, slide, high action CBGs....  Good from what they are and capable of some good music, but not what a lot of players are looking for.

 

I currently was invited to do a build for the regular band guitarist for a major country star (more on that later).  I guarrentee you that I wouldn't have gotten the invite if I wasn't able to put out a good, fast action fretted CBG with good wound pups and tone/volume controls.

 

Shane once gave me advice that "the CBG that sells the best is the one you play the best."  I'd add that you build better as you play better.

 

the best,

 

Wichita Sam

Eric J Kadle/Cotton eyed Joe's said:

I have answered the question many of times . Are they a real instrument , can you play it? and my answer is yes its real and yes they can be played but not by me. I have asked purchasers of my guitars to post videos so I could see them in action. Finally a young gentleman named Chris did and I must say I was impressed at what it sounded like. Because to be honest I always wondered because when I play it ( sound check) I don't hear that John Mc Nair or grand dad Shane Speal. I also agree with everyone that just kicking back, player or not, and plucking or strumming the strings on your newly built guitar is by far one of the most rewarding things of all. I must say to that 30 builds later I am starting to get the hang of the playing thing. I will never be a Shane Speal or Mc Nair but it sounds good to me so thats all that matters to me. I am glad there is the flip side of the coin (players not builders) otherwise I would have to build an addition just to house my instruments.

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Permalink Reply by Mike S on February 20, 2011 at 9:43pm

Henry Dervaric said:

I'm enjoyin these guitars more and more, I've got 4 "store bought" guitars and haven't picked them up in months since I've started buildin these.

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on February 20, 2011 at 10:52pm

One thing you can do with those OK builds that are beneath your standards is to rework them.... or at least some of them.... a little nut/bridge adjusting, a little fretboard/neck leveling can do wonders to a buzzing clunker... and then some are only good for your personal wall of shame or as donors....  been there, done that on several of my early CBGs.

 

the best,

 

Wichita Sam

Uncle John said:

Yup on this.  I have some okay builds that are now beneath my standards.  What do I do with them?  Don't feel good about selling them or gifting them.  Fine wall hangers....  :(

Eric J Kadle/Cotton eyed Joe's said:

I agree with you Sam because as I get further into my builds I find that what was good or acceptable on my first few builds just is not accepted any longer by myself. From my first to my latest build I have seen many improvements such as fret work and the action is alot lower. I did find what works better the more I play. I must say I bought my first six string about ten years ago and played to my own ear for about six years nightly. Then for some odd reason I hardly ever picked it up for the next 4 years. I am glad to say that the CBG revolution has got me hooked again and I play as much as I can. Thanks to all on the Nation.

Wichita Sam said:

Eric,

 

I would say that as I've improved as a player, I've gotten more discriminating as a builder.  What I used to think as good action, I would not be satisfied with today.  Maybe that's why so many non-players stick with  non-fretted, slide, high action CBGs....  Good from what they are and capable of some good music, but not what a lot of players are looking for.

 

I currently was invited to do a build for the regular band guitarist for a major country star (more on that later).  I guarrentee you that I wouldn't have gotten the invite if I wasn't able to put out a good, fast action fretted CBG with good wound pups and tone/volume controls.

 

Shane once gave me advice that "the CBG that sells the best is the one you play the best."  I'd add that you build better as you play better.

 

the best,

 

Wichita Sam

Eric J Kadle/Cotton eyed Joe's said:

I have answered the question many of times . Are they a real instrument , can you play it? and my answer is yes its real and yes they can be played but not by me. I have asked purchasers of my guitars to post videos so I could see them in action. Finally a young gentleman named Chris did and I must say I was impressed at what it sounded like. Because to be honest I always wondered because when I play it ( sound check) I don't hear that John Mc Nair or grand dad Shane Speal. I also agree with everyone that just kicking back, player or not, and plucking or strumming the strings on your newly built guitar is by far one of the most rewarding things of all. I must say to that 30 builds later I am starting to get the hang of the playing thing. I will never be a Shane Speal or Mc Nair but it sounds good to me so thats all that matters to me. I am glad there is the flip side of the coin (players not builders) otherwise I would have to build an addition just to house my instruments.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Hunt on February 21, 2011 at 12:30am

I wasn't happy with my first guitar, it was too high at the nut and the action was too high. Spent some time with some files and lowered the strings at the nut and replaced the brass rod on the bridge for a smaller one. The action now sits at 3/32 inch at the twelfth fret, just about where an acoustic is often set for the action, and I really enjoy playing this guitar. A little time and some extra knowledge fixed a guitar with a minor playability problem into a nice piece. After all, it is often all about the setup.

 

all the best.

 

Brian Hunt.

 

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Permalink Reply by David Davies on February 21, 2011 at 2:47pm

me i cant play anote

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on February 21, 2011 at 7:53pm

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on February 21, 2011 at 7:57pm

Guys, there are lots of lessons out -  and I am just a hack level player.  But this system is pretty great if you want to accompany yourself on vocals.  Go to chordie or some other place and get chords to songs you want to do. Get them in the key of G (chords G,C and D).  Tune a 3 string with decent string action to DGB and be players too.   Also, if a song on chordie is not in G, there is a mechanism there to transpose to G.

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on February 23, 2011 at 6:10am

its not about how good you play..

 

its about how good playing makes you feel..

 

just do it..

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on February 23, 2011 at 8:09am

Boy, what Jef said is totally right.  And I hope it makes you feel good.  Some days it does for me and some day less so!

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