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Strings to high no matter what!

OK please look here http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/my-first-cbg-finished-5?context...

Now no matter what I do it seem my string are too high then when I use a smaller nut it like the strings just hover over it and sound like crap.... almost like the pegs are too high but hows that possible? Maybe they way Im stringing it???

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Permalink Reply by Justin Mantelli on August 13, 2011 at 2:23pm

Thanks everyone Ill let you know how it goes!

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on August 13, 2011 at 5:31pm

Justin, if you want expert advice, I believe Matt ( The Artist etc.) is expert. But if you don't have a lot of tools and expertise, listen to what I have to say. I am the prince of half assed builders. Ask anyone that has closely inspected my stuff.

Yeah, yeah the scarfed or angled head stock is the expert way to go. But I aint no steenking expert!

Truth now. You can try to do as these folks say and maybe salvage what you have. I advise you to save those for slide or wall hangers and start anew.

If you want to finger pick and finger chord (as I do), you need low action. Okay. #1. The fret board needs to be a bit higher than the box. Easy way to do that is to add a 1/4 inch fret board glued to the neck. I do that. Makes for a thick, strong neck. Hard to use a capo on. BFD.

#2. Easiest way to get low action is to use a ZERO FRET for the nut. Tell me your address and I will send you a length of Jumbo fret. Cut your nut/ zero fret slot and place (I glue) the jumbo fret as a Zero fret. File some small notches where the string will go.

3. Simply put, you need a downward angle from the nut (or zero fret) to the tuner (machine head) holes. One way to do this is a string retainer. Buy some or do as I do, acquire a spoon or fork smooth side down and screw it to the head stock with a gap for the strings to go under. Not a great photo, but look a my Hi-way 61 photo or others. And/or you may need 1 or more screws to guide the strings between the nut and the tuner- so the stings stay in place.

Good luck and wishes. And I will mail you some jumbo fret if you desire. Friend me and give me your address if that is the case.

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Permalink Reply by Justin Mantelli on August 13, 2011 at 5:45pm

Hey thanks man I added you as friend and really would like to try this zero nut method! Now on my first build all I did is take a lid from a cigarbox cut to right size put hole for pegs and put under the neck... it totally did the job. Now not as good as I'd like but Im still super stoke on my first build and the sound of it.

You guys all rock!

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on August 13, 2011 at 7:06pm

Good deal. I don't see your address, yet. Send it to me from the friends spot and no one else will see it. I will get the jumbo off to you and I won't stop by your house with my 17 grand children.