Hi all!
I want to build a 6-string CBG-style license plate guitar.
I'd like some info from those that have made such guitars. Things like bracing, attaching the neck, placing a piezo.....the RadioShack type that are common to these guitars not a commercially made guitar piezo (where would be the best place to put a piezo in order to pick up the best sound on such a small guitar).
I'd also like to know about what I should avoid, what I should be on the look out for when it comes to problems during the build and whatever other info or advice any of you may have.
If anyone has photos or drawings of your particular builds (I am looking for structural stuff in this instance) that would be greatly appreciated.
I know many people call their license plate guitars "license plate resonators." However, when it comes to those I have seen videos of only one or two seemed to actually have a resonator cone and they were 3 or 4 strings rather than 6 as I want to build.
I am thinking of using oak boards that I can get at Lowe's for both body and neck. For the bridge I am thinking of a wrap-around bridge/tailpiece like this one:
I plan to use a magnetic pickup along with the piezo that I already mentioned.
Ideally I'd like to have the body no bigger than the size of the license plate itself. However, I know there may be issues with doing this. So, as I said, I would welcome any advice on building such a guitar and any design plans that any of you may be willing to share.
Thanks,
-James
Replies
Will this be your first build, or do you have some experience under your belt?
This will be my first build.
But, I have done some minor repairs on my guitars. And have read books on both guitar building (arch-top) and guitar repair.
May I respectfully suggest that you try a three string model first, and see how it goes?
Figure out your process and technique, then make a 6 string. Starting with a 6 string is sort of starting at the top, and I hate to see someone get frustrated.
Personally, I see more issues with trying to do a 3 or 4 string model as the string spacing would have to be completely custom.
Doing a 6-string I can use my other guitars as reference points. Not to mention that I can use a pre-made nut and bridge.
And while most of the stuff I have done as far as repairs has been minor I have removed the back off of a vintage regal in order to re-glue it where it was coming apart at the seems. I also had to re-glue the bracing which had been replaced or re-glued at some point in the past but very badly.
The only part of the actual building that I find somewhat daunting is shaping the neck. But that would be that way regardless of how many strings I use,
Okee dokee. Good luck! Post pics when it is done.
It may be quite some time before I actually build it. Being on disability I don't necessarily have the cash to do all the projects I want to do when I want to do them.
Add to that the fact that I like to research things as much as I can before I jump in and I am sure you can understand why it may be a while in the thinking process.
But, I will DEFINITELY post photos and possibly video of the finished project.
Knowing now that the neck is the main structural part of this I am planning to make it more like the chunkier necks from the 50's and earlier.
This is a small piece of what I am currently doing. I hand carved the neck which measures 1.75 inch at the nut, tapering to 2 inch were it meets the box. I decided to go with a neck thru for strength. The neck is a laminate of red oak in the middle with maple on the edges, that then is topped with a piece of red oak, and that is topped with a poplar fret board. very strong but a lot of carving and sanding to reach the desired thickness for comfort of playability. Buying a fret board is probably a good move as the one thing I wished Id done because on a six string I think it feels a bit odd without the radius. Also the thickness of the lamination came in handy were I had to carve away wood to fit the pickups. No truss rod but all in all it is shaping up very nicely
Thank you so much!
This is EXTREMELY helpful!
I was planning on doing a laminated neck like this but I am not sure what wood(s) I will use, I am leaning towards oak since I can buy that at Lowe's or Home Depot.
I know that the majority of people think a truss rod is necessary for a 6-string guitar. I also know WHY that is.
However, I have guitars that were made before they started using truss rods and they have not had neck problems yet.
Of course the necks from back then tended to be a bit thicker than they are these days.
I am still not sure if I will use a truss rod or not. I am leaning heavily towards "not" as this kind of guitar is basically nothing but neck. The box will be largely for aesthetics.
Here is a link to electric guitar string tensions
http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f21/string-tension-charts-73846.html
Here is a link to acoustic string tensions
http://www.elixirstrings.com/stringtension/stringtensionacoustic.html
Depending on string choice, a 4 stringer with acoustic strings could have higher neck tension than a 6 stringer with electric strings.
Yeah, I learned a long time ago that electric strings have a different tension that acoustic strings. I had a friend that would put electric strings on his acoustic guitar. I always found them to be too "rubbery" because of the difference in tension and also the difference in how an acoustic is set up compared to an electric.
But, honestly I never really thought about using anything but electric strings on this project. I guess it's because I don't think of it as being an acoustic guitar design....even though I do want to try and have some acoustic playability to it,
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