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My first CBG is in the books

Well, I finally have completed my first CBG. It took me longer than I wanted but lots of that was paranoia about making mistakes and so doing lots of reading. asking questions, watching videos and procrastination... Finally done though. I still need to make sure the intonation is correct. I will be doing that tomorrow. It is not perfect and I will make changes to the next one but I am happy with it and most importantly my daughter likes it and is for her so...

I did have an issue with buzzing on two of the strings and it was due to the strings not having enough of a break angle off the head. I wound up putting 2 screws in to hold them down and it stopped the issue. I had gone with zero fret using a finishing nail that was larger than the frets with a bolt behind it for guiding the strings but it was not enough so had to use the screws. Next time I will make some changes there. I was surprised at how much sound it makes when not plugged in. I put sound holes in the side of it.

Inside it has two 20mm piezos one on each side of the bridge.

I used a section of ceiling lamp extension rod for the bridge, it is long so I will cut some more off I think. I had to raise it up so as you can see, I used what I had handy to raise it. I was going to change it for something else but my daughter liked it so I think will stay but will see.

I made it for my older daughter and my younger daughter is the one who cannot put it down. I have already started hers today or she won't give her sister hers back. I am going to do a shorter one though, it is too big for her.

Thanks to everybody for their help and advice.

Mike

A few photos:

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Permalink Reply by Mike on February 22, 2015 at 2:35pm

Thx. I am pretty happy with the result. I was not sure about mixed finishes on the metal but like now the corners match the gold in the box paper. And my daughter has not stopped using it. Right now her sister who's CBG it really is is playing as her younger daughter is in the bath. Opportunities have been scarce. :)

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Permalink Reply by music2me on February 22, 2015 at 1:04pm

NiceJob!.I just finished my first build also.Took me a couple months .How do I post pics and vids?

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Permalink Reply by Mike on February 22, 2015 at 2:37pm

I found that those featured are only if you are on a PC. On my ipad they do not show up. I have found that with other forums as well.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on February 22, 2015 at 4:24pm

Sorry I was not clear. It is not the photos that are the problem. The toolbar at the top where you can enter pictures, links or other things like formatting options is not visible on the ipad. Itis either safari which is the browser or because you are on an ipad the site directs you to a stripped down mobile version. Not sure which. I do see on the ipad at the bottom when posting that I can upload a photo but it is a link rather than in the post. It shows you can add 3 but it only loads 1 even if I attach 3 photos. I will attach a photo of my other daughter (the one who owns the CBG) and you will see it is a link at the bottom rather than embedding it in the post. I wish the site worked better with an ipad because as the only PC I use is a work one. I prefer not to use it for person stuff if I can avoid it.

Anyway, here is my daughter Fiona enjoying her new toy. :)

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Permalink Reply by George Mesheau on February 22, 2015 at 2:10pm

Great looking guit.. just wondering what did you use as covers for your sound holes. like them..

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Permalink Reply by Mike on February 22, 2015 at 2:44pm

Thank you and everybody else for the nice comments.

I purchased them on eBay. The seller is called on-the-earth. This is the item number 331102872914

They are some sort of vent covers and they sell different sizes. I got the box corners from them as well. They are in china so took a couple of weeks. I figure 98% of what I would buy in the US will also be from china anyway and I liked the look of them.

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Permalink Reply by john mackay on February 23, 2015 at 2:12am

you can always use a sink strainer. just as good.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=honda+grab+rail&_osacat=0&...

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Permalink Reply by 14 buck bass (aka antonio) on February 23, 2015 at 3:13am

Mike thats a great build man. Its sure something when you build one for your daughter huh. Those are the most special. I love the beer coasters. very nice , looks like you better get crackin on the other one lol

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Permalink Reply by Mike on February 23, 2015 at 6:35am

Thanks. And yes I need to get moving. They are fighting now over the other one. :)

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Permalink Reply by Mike on February 24, 2015 at 4:55pm

So, just reaching back as it has been a few days with our new CBG. A few things.

I removed the coasters as the action was too high. I had originally out them in due to the buzzing then had put the screw string trees on which fixed the buzzing so they are no longer needed, as nice as they looked and worked for what I had intended.

I must now start building my own in tandem with my youngest daughter's as I have not been able to put it down and need to let my daughter have it for her own. I find playing it addicting and relaxing even though I suck at it badly. I regret now how long I waited in life to try my hand at an instrument. I always thought, I don't have time but really wish I had made the time. I have been picking it up every chance I get right now though and even though I suck, I suck a little bit less than I did this morning and this morning I sucked a little less than yesterday.

I am glad I took the plunge.

Thanks again to everybody for your help and advice to get me through my build.

Mike

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Permalink Reply by Bama Hound on February 25, 2015 at 1:12am

Mike if you want to keep your coasters,you might consider this. After you get the intonation like you want it mark the footprint of your bridge on the coaster then cut that out with a box knife, then put bridge in the hole. Just a thought. BH

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Permalink Reply by Mike on February 25, 2015 at 7:20am

Thank you for the idea. I would be too nervous to do it. Next build I will use maybe smaller bridge if I want to pop a coaster in there. Since all built I don't want to risk screwing up the top. I can be mistake prone. :)