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first kit?

got my first CBG two weeks ago

ready to build one now thinking I should start with a kit the first time just to make sure of

whats what and then go from there?

I've got plenty of wood working experience and guitar knowledge, but brand new to this world.

Any suggestions on a kit?

Thanks,

Jeff in LA

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James Bush on March 18, 2012 at 3:12am

I THINK YOU SHOULD ORDER A OAK NECK KIT FROM WWW.MOJOCBG.COM

THEY COME WITH AN OAK NECK AND A HOW TO BUILD A CBG DVD. THE PARTS HIGH QUALITY.

THE FRETS ARE PRE MARKED. IT'S WELL WORTH IT AND LESS HEADACHE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Permalink Reply by jeff heister on March 18, 2012 at 7:20am

Thanks guys.

The thing I already dig about these is they are like hot rods, no rules.
Seems to be what ever works for someone is cool.

Picked up a box at the local cigar store this week.I've got parts on the way.

Really appreciate all the input here. Sweet Jesus, I'm a blog geek now.

thanks guys

Jeff H.

Permalink Reply by Charlotte Henry on March 18, 2012 at 7:48am

Jeff you will have a blast building it and like you said there are no rules, so I look forward to seeing and hearing how your first one comes along.

Permalink Reply by Tom "Broken E String" Sobieski on March 18, 2012 at 1:01pm

Why a kit?

By your own words you have =experience in both guitars and woodworking. My first git box, I had neither and it came out okay, not premo, not a collectable, but okay nonetheless.

Find a nice cigar box, Look at some pictures, You live in the States where there's a Home Depot or some kind of lumber supply around almost every corner. A pickup? Lots of ways you can go with that. Buy one here from C.B. Gitty, go to Radio Shack and pry apart a piezo speaker, lots of ways to skin a cat.

Jump right in, the water's fine.

Permalink Reply by jeff heister on March 19, 2012 at 5:32pm

Well, have box, got pick up and jack from Windy City, got oak neck from Danddukes77 on Ebay, very nice.

Have tuners from another project. Need fret wire and a the few misc. parts for nut, bridge ect. and I think I'm down to the planning a building stage. Guess the fun starts now.

Thanks for the help guys!

Jeff H.

Permalink Reply by James Bush on March 19, 2012 at 6:13pm

I would of given you some frets, nut and bridge made out of althread with the dvd's I sent you today. I am thinking of adding finished fret boards on my site that people can glue to thier necks for around $25.00, do you think that would be helpful for new builders?

Permalink Reply by jeff heister on March 19, 2012 at 6:59pm

I do. The CBG I bought is off by about a full note at the 12th fret. That reaffirmed my thinking that I wasnt' going to try and master cutting finger boards right away. Fret placement is to important to get wrong the first time out. I bought a nice neck, it came with pre cut board. No worries. Adding the fret wire is pretty simple, vs. having to cut the slots.

Also, if you can make them already why not offer them for sale? A wise man once told me "never make it hard for people to spend money". Give them more options.

Thanks,

Jeff H.

Permalink Reply by James Bush on March 19, 2012 at 7:17pm

If you do start building a lot, I would get a scale from www.stewmac.com . If you use a slide you dont need have frets just lines or marks of where the fret would be. 3, 5, 7, 10,12, 15 for blues scale

Permalink Reply by James Bush on March 19, 2012 at 7:21pm

I like 25" scale, and I see alot of 25.5" scales out there. I built one but didn't like it. but just me..

Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on March 19, 2012 at 8:36pm

If your going to build alot and use either the same scale length or even different scale lengths. Do yourself a big favor and get this fretting chart. http://www.harpkit.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=.... Well worth the money. I`ve turned alot of builders on to this chart though the years. Sure beats the hell out of computer programs !!! I`ve been building homemade stringed instruments going on 35 years now and let me say you don`t need a kit or pre-made parts to build a good sounding instrument. Best to learn hand` s on, with all the support help that your friends here on the nation are willing to help you with. All you need to do is ask, and remember measure twice-cut once...lol. Good Luck

Permalink Reply by jeff heister on March 22, 2012 at 10:00am

Permalink Reply by jeff heister on March 22, 2012 at 9:59am

Hey, got the DVD;s today. Some great playing on there. If you'd like some very well intending suggestions about them let me know and I'll share. If not, no worries at all, I'll keep it to myself.

Thanks for the info.

Jeff H.