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My first CBG with lessons to learn

So just wrapped up my first build and thought I'd post a couple of pics. It's a 4 string with 23.5" string length. My dots are crooked. The head is short. The tuning machines and the string holes are a little out of line, and my strings are a little high. Overall I'm pretty happy with the results. Now if I can figure out how to play it. I haven't played my guitar in 15 years but I can kind of pluck around on the CBG. I've got 4 more boxes just waiting to be built out. So I'll be posting more I'm sure.

One thing I did find was my 2nd string had a little buzz. turns out it was the slot in the nut. The high point was actually in the middle of the slot so it caused the string to actually buzz in the slot. I took the saw and ran it through the slot at a slight angle so it was lower towards the head and higher towards the body. That cleared up my buzz. Something to look at if you are getting a buzz you can't figure out

Ben

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jim burt on April 22, 2012 at 7:33pm

Kool! I like your design...

Permalink Reply by David "Gitz" O'Corley on April 22, 2012 at 7:46pm

yeah that's the thing with this kinda gits...You don't have to be perfect... I view each one of my like a work of art...and i can express myself through them.. Yours is very cool...Nice and clean lookin...The thing to remember is don't stop now keep buildin bubba

Permalink Reply by Suspect Device on April 22, 2012 at 8:26pm

Your first build? For real? Very nice job! You're gonna be just fine.

Permalink Reply by James Bush on April 22, 2012 at 11:17pm

Congrats

Tune it to GDGD from top string to bottom. First blues lick, 3rd string down and pluck the string open, 5th fret, 3rd fret, open, From there it's just a matter of playing opens, 3rd , 5th, 7th and 12th frets and up and down the strings, Also go to you tube and type in the search bar ( how to play a cbg ). now ur a rock star good luck

Permalink Reply by James Kirkpatrick on April 22, 2012 at 11:43pm

Nice job... I am on my 4th and find something every build I should have done differently.

Permalink Reply by Paul Smith on April 23, 2012 at 2:05am

Looks good to me.
Keep on keeping on and you'll learn something new with each build.

Permalink Reply by thehandcoder on April 23, 2012 at 9:17am

Thanks for the comments. I'm really looking forward to the next build. I'm going to try a piezo in the the next one. I'm still tweaking this one a little. Need to get the strings lower for better action. I figure I will hand them down to my daughters as I build replacements.

I'll scan youtube for some how to play videos. Need to let my fingers rest anyway.

Permalink Reply by Marcus P. Clarke on April 23, 2012 at 9:31am

Very nice first build, wondering how wide your neck is. I've been planning a 4 string but it looks like the common 1 X 2 might be a little tight...Marcus

Permalink Reply by thehandcoder on April 25, 2012 at 4:14pm

The neck is 1.5" x 1", It's not s standard 1x2 which loses some wood in the finishing. It started out as a full 2" X 1 1/4" piece that I sawed down. The neck could actually shrink down a little further and I think the spacing would still be fine.

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on April 25, 2012 at 6:00pm

Marcus,

A stock 1X2 is perfect for a four stringer, if you like typical electric guitar spacing (you can even get a little wider spacing by crowding the edge of the neck) But, if you want really wide spacing that seems typical for many slide players, then you're probably right.

the best,

Wichita Sam

Permalink Reply by Marcus P. Clarke on April 25, 2012 at 6:21pm

I don't mind crowding the top and bottom string. I tried a 4 string when I first started building. I should have come in about 1/8th from the edge using a standard 1 X 2 not including the fret board. Instead I came in about 3/16 which crowded my fingers when finger picking but using my stubby slide was OK. Think I'm going to give it another whack...Marcus

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on April 23, 2012 at 5:50pm

nice looking build and great learning. You can ponder and ask all the questions you want, but it isn't until you start building that you learn.

BTW, the most common new builder error is not allowing enough room in the head stock. A good formula for head stocks is, the number of tuners on one side minus 1, plus two inches, plus any additional for "design"...

so, if you are doing a 4 in line headstock, 4-1=3+2=5, plus ? This is how much you need to allow beyond the nut.

the best,

Wichita Sam