Wiley Rutledge's Page

Wiley Rutledge commented on Shane's group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"It might be easier to center the two different sizes by drilling the smaller hole through and center the larger on that hole. You can also prevent tear out by drilling toward the larger hole with the first drill."

May 13

Wiley Rutledge commented on Shane's group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"If the fret board is fretted for 25" and you cut the board short the frets will not be spaced correctly. A 25" VSL needs to be exactly 25" from nut to bridge."

May 6

Wiley Rutledge replied to Tony Brown's discussion Long cut in the group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"Easiest way is table saw but everyone doesn't have one or access to one."

Apr 11

Wiley Rutledge replied to Tony Brown's discussion Long cut in the group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"I agree with wormil, a jack plane or smoothing plane is the best way to straighten an already cut piece if hand tools are what's available."

Apr 11

Wiley Rutledge replied to Coppa Penny's discussion Short scale CBG in the group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"I think the dulcilulu has a 17 inch VSL so a 3 or 4 string CBG should work fine with that length."

Mar 8

Wiley Rutledge commented on Shane's group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"Dermal has a barrel shaped bit with cutters on the flat end. They also have miniature router bits and an attachment that makes it a mini-router."

Jan 28

Wiley Rutledge commented on Shane's group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"Rockier no longer carry those sizes. I've bought from Lee Valley and their service and products are top notch!"

Jan 26

Wiley Rutledge replied to Randy Burks's discussion Wanting to build a Dulcimer in the group Dulcimers and Strummers

"The size of the box has more to do with volume than tone if you're building straight acoustic. Full size dulcimer VSL ranges from about 25 to 28 inches with a few shorter but higher toned dulcimers. IMHO dulcimer building is much like cbg, if…"

Nov 15, 2012

Wiley Rutledge replied to Jim Olean (JimO)'s discussion Child size CBG's in the group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"I would think their ages would make a difference in size but you might try a standard ukulele size. VSL is about 20" and you should find calculator at stew-mac or other sites online. You might look at mandolin charts too."

Nov 5, 2012

Wiley Rutledge commented on Shane's group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"Try the Forums section. There's one current discussion and I'm pretty. sure there are older ones as well."

Oct 8, 2012

Wiley Rutledge commented on Shane's group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"Using a penetrating oil may darken the tone as it sinks into the pores of the wood--which is fine if that's what you want. Most pro instrument makers will finish with shellac, varnish or another film type finish, which sits on the top of the…"

Oct 2, 2012

Wiley Rutledge replied to SD Helfrich's discussion GDG / DAD tuning question in the group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"If you're playing with dulcimers you're in good shape in DAD. DAD and DAA are standard tunings. Try your .042 an octave lower for GDG and it it's too loose, rattles, or you don't like it, try a heavier string."

Sep 30, 2012

Wiley Rutledge replied to howling's discussion first build solid body in the group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"Sorry about that, didn't notice the solid body!"

Sep 18, 2012

Wiley Rutledge replied to howling's discussion first build solid body in the group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"Why not? An A type Mando shape would be perfect to start outlining the shape. The tone would be different due mainly to the volume of air contained but you get that from box to box anyhow."

Sep 18, 2012

Wiley Rutledge commented on Shane's group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"If I'm painting I like a blond plain figured wood, maple, ash, poplar, why use a figured wood and cover the grain?"

May 31, 2012

Wiley Rutledge commented on Shane's group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"I agree with Jim Burt, respect the tools and potential dangers, even more so with power tools. For the most part, hand tools can cut and cause lots of problems while power tools can maim and take body parts if not used carefully and correctly."

May 2, 2012