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Jumpin in on my first build

Greg here from Ohio

Got inspired to make CBGs while in Nashville.

I intend to make a couple different styles but I’d really like when I’m good enough to make some memorial instruments for some family.

Got my 3 string CBG kit from CBGitty for my 1st build.

I’m kinda cheating as I bought a neck instead of starting from scratch. All it’s saving me though is the head stock as it has a scarf joint. Which I assume the bolt nut goes on the flat part just below the joint?

The box is more rectangle at 10 7/8” The neck is 35.5” with 30” from the scarf joint to the end. I’ve been looking to figure out how much I need for the fret area so I know where to place the neck in the box. Neck through style.

The instructions don’t say anything about supports in the box but I’ve seen it done on videos so I might as well put some in, looks easy enough.

The kit came with G, D, B strings. Seems most people play G, D, G. All the instruction books and vids seem to be G, D, G. Could I use the same strings or should I use another set?

Well thanks in advance and I look forward to learning from and contributing to the Nation!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Greg Geracioti on May 12, 2018 at 7:47am

I've tried to reply but the system wouldn't let me.

Thanks for the advice.

Many people around here come from WV, I don't know how many in WV are from this area though.

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on March 29, 2018 at 8:21am

The B string could be tuned "down" to G.

The Essential Pages on the right top of the page will have lots of building info for you.

Box bracing is good if it's in the right place. Neck length gets figured when you choose a scale length, where you want the bridge placement on the box and headstock length.

Making a neck can be 75% of all the work done to build a guitar depending on if it's fretted or not.

I recommend reading those mentioned pages and doing some Google searches for more info and pictures of other peoples builds for ideas. C.B.Gitty.com has a Gallery of builds that can also be helpful as well as build threads here on CBN. Good Luck and we will help where we can.

Permalink Reply by Greg Geracioti on May 12, 2018 at 7:51am

Thanks for the info. Again, sorry it took so long to reply. I tried a few times at the time of this posting but it wouldn't take for some reason.

I had a setback as I've had surgery recently but I'm finished with my new CBG.

I think I'll do some tweaking though. The action is quite high. I know it should be for a fretless slide but it still seems high. Easy fix, just sand down where the nut is a little more.

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