I am building my 1st CBG. Everyone has been very helpful answering my 'dumb questions' and I thank you all for it.
I am about to the point of attaching (gluing) the neck to the box. It dawned on me this is a very critical step. Do it wrong and I could end up with an unplayable CBG.
1) If the 'front to back' angle is wrong (angle of neck to top surface of box) I could end up with an overly high action or conversely (and worse), fret buzz on the 20th fret even when open. How do I ensure the neck is parallel to the box face? Do I even want it perfectly parallel? FYI, my fretboard extends about 1/4" above the box surface
2) If the 'top to bottom' angle (90 deg angle of neck to box side) is off then the strings won't run parallel to the neck and intonation might be impossible (?). How do I ensure the neck is perfectly perpendicular to the box side?
I 'assume' minor adjustments can be made for 1 via the bridge height and for 2 via the tailpiece. I'd prefer those 'compromises' be minimal.
I've watched videos how to build a CBG and it seems like the builder just slaps the neck in and that's that. Am I being too cautious approaching this step?
Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Tags:
Thanks... I was afraid I was gonna screw em up and be left with a nice CBG with messed up f-holes. Just takes patience, a sharp carving knife and a Dremel. And oh yea.. more patience :)
Excellent looking build there Westsailor. If I had one critique it would be that there is a weak point where the neck meets the box. On a future build you could potentially extend the stick running through the box and use it as a heel glued to the underside of the neck, extending out to roughly the 16th fret or something.. It might be worth screwing the neck to the box with an angle bracket just to be on the safe side.
Point taken. I've learned a lot during this build. My next build ( a fretless 3 string) will extend the stick enough to allow a heel.
I'm curious though... what would be the difference in this build and (most of) the others I've seen where the neck runs through the box and do not have heels?
the great thing about CBG's is you don't have to get them perfect every time - do your best but the most important thing is to leave a piece of yourself in it (not your finger...!) and as long as your heart and soul is in each build you'll have a unique instrument whether you make one or one hundred...they're your babies ...if you do that all your guitars will be perfect for you, and with a little luck others too! ;-)
btw to answer your question a set square will get it pretty well right before you do the glue...and i never found the need to make a heel for light 3 or 4 stringers, glue a length of wood between the underside of the neck inside the box, the secret is light but rigid, improves tone and sustain...
Slowpaw Cigar Box Guitars - nearly all straight, all built with lurrve...;-)
As far as centering the neck, I mark the center line of the neck and the center line of the box with a pencil. Then just match them up.
As far as the neck angle, I attach the neck with screws, then you can hold a yardstick or long straight edge along the neck to the bridge simulating the strings. This will also give you an idea how tall to make the bridge.
If the neck is not glued, you can make adjustments with cutting the notch that makes the angle deeper or adding shims if you cut too much.
You actually don't want the neck parallel to the box face - it should have a slight angle which will allow for better playing action.
Hope this diagram helps explain one option. Here's how I have my neck go through the box, with a brace at each end, which is screwed into the cigar box. Everything within the box is centred, then the neck is centred. I recess the top of the neck within the box so the lid closes snugly (table saw); and a bit of a recess where the piezo pickup will be attached to the cigar box lid. I define the action by working with the height of the saddle and the nut. Brass corners keep the lid down. Now, with the one guitar I built that had a mag pickup that stuck up high above the top surface of the lid, well yes I did have to make some additional compensations to have playable action. I ended up elevating the fingerboard beyond where I had planned - and its stll playable - I have yet to build one where *something* didn't come out as planned because every one has been a little different but live and learn ;-)
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray yesterday. 8 Replies 1 Like
Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Southern Ray yesterday. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. on Thursday. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango on Tuesday. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Carl Floyd Mar 1. 15 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Joe in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Carl Floyd Feb 29. 13 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Chance in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 22. 12 Replies 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!