Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Low Budget Luthier on September 11, 2013 at 3:43pm

check out the local pallets at the stores. some are very nice hard woods and they usually free.

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Permalink Reply by Low Budget Luthier on September 11, 2013 at 3:44pm

for soft pine laminate two boards on the bias for strength.

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Permalink Reply by Darren Wolbold on September 11, 2013 at 9:18pm

Hello

I have made a few CBG and I would say you dont really need to make the neck out of hard wood infact you may get a better balanced guitar if you do not in my opinion

 

Saying that I only make three string guitars and they are not fretted, so far I have no problems with bending using at least 1" by 2" soft wood timber (sorry dont know metric)

 

I am not sure if this would be the same if you had four strings or if you were going to frett the instrument

 

check my blog out 

http://darrenscigarboxguitars.blogspot.co.uk/

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Permalink Reply by Kirk Quinn on September 11, 2013 at 9:33pm

Cool thanks. 40x20 mm. Is about 1.5"x .75" So I'm not sure if it that would be thick enough or not . But then again
What I'm learning is there are no rules and give it a go.

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on September 12, 2013 at 12:24pm

All 2 of the CBG's I make are "1x2" poplar.  "1x2" is really .75x1.5.  for a 4-string, it all comes down to string separation.  With 3-string guitars across 1.5" your string separation is 1/2" with 1/4" side to string width. . .  (12.5mm string separation, 6.25mm edge to string.) Maple would look amazing, finished right...   T

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Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on September 11, 2013 at 10:27pm

1.Rule of thumb for ideal neck dimensions is 1 1/2" X  3/4" with a 7mm fretboard, all hardwood esp. for a 4 string - many builders cut down from larger pieces,

2. pine wood is possible to use but will flex under high string tension. 

3. A hair dryer will heat labels enough to gently peel them off. (-: 

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Permalink Reply by Kirk Quinn on September 11, 2013 at 10:40pm

Great thanks for all the help guys. Going to get started this week end

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on September 12, 2013 at 1:14am

They sell Goo Gone in NZ, according to over a dozen websites I just Googled. Goo Gone is an orange oil-based solvent, that will dissolve most glues used to affix labels and stickers. For the neck, 1.5" x 3/4" is just about perfect, for either a 3 or 4 stringer. Maple should do very well.

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Permalink Reply by Kirk Quinn on September 12, 2013 at 11:00am

cool thanks heaps Ron will go pick some up today

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Permalink Reply by Diglydog on September 13, 2013 at 7:59am

Old broken furniture can be a good source of wood.  The wood is often decent quality and, due to it's age, is very stable.  It's amazing what quality of timber people throw out in the UK - don't know if it's the same in NZ.

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on September 13, 2013 at 10:10am

I'd check out what kinda decking / flooring timbers you can get cheaply, any wood used for those is strong enuff and holds frets really well in my experience

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Permalink Reply by Hobo 63 on September 15, 2013 at 1:01am

I use alder about 40-45 X 28.Works good and no bending problems.On fretted same alder and glued fret board of some hardwood.Oak or teak or...

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