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What to do with those extra strings?

When I build I buy acoustic string packets of six, which always leaves me with the low E, high E and B string when I'm finished. What creative things might I make with those extra strings? I've also got a couple extra lengths of poplar (about 29" each) and a couple cigar boxes that I won't use for building regular CBGs (they look like crud).

I'm waiting for payday and want something to keep me busy until I can afford to build more CBGs.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on February 23, 2016 at 3:50am

Three diddly bows, two bracelets, one necklace...and Patridge in a wacky bus.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Davis on February 23, 2016 at 4:20am

What string do I use for a diddly bow? High E?

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Permalink Reply by Lane Martin on February 23, 2016 at 6:07am

Any string you want. Having it tuned to an exact pitch only matters if you're playing with others.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Davis on February 23, 2016 at 5:09am

That does sound interesting. Would be worth a try just to see what it sounds like. I've got some old tuning machines in a box that I could use to keep it on the cheap. Thanks for the input.

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Permalink Reply by JL on February 23, 2016 at 8:19am

the current project on my worktable:

low E - diddley bow

middle A D G - 3 stringer tuned GDG

high B and E - 2 string chugger tuned g d

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Permalink Reply by Cause the Blue rat on February 23, 2016 at 10:58am

Folks, this is awesome. We are the only musicians out there who build guitars for a set of strings. Wile everyone else buys strings for one guitar.

Rock on Nation!

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Permalink Reply by Greg Thompson on February 23, 2016 at 12:23pm

Your quote should be put on the banner of this site!

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on February 23, 2016 at 2:52pm

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Permalink Reply by Kigar on February 23, 2016 at 4:56pm

I started to say one or two string canjo but then the rings caught my eye. I can have a similar gear, now I have to try to make a ring, thanks a lot a. pick. Also great comment Cause the Blue rat!

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on February 23, 2016 at 5:02pm

pretty simple to make rings and brackets etc . just wrap twist them like in the pack . or braid em .(harder ) a lot of youtube how tos on it . ;-)

enjoy ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on February 23, 2016 at 10:04pm

I have a set of old strings from a 6 string guitar that I use to file the string slots in the corian nuts or bridge pieces I make. The wound strings work better than the solids, so the higher string slots take longer unless you have so smaller gauge wound strings.

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Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on February 24, 2016 at 9:10am

Hang a couple of wound strings between a U shape piece of metal loosely. I used to use this set up with an old hacksaw handle. This setup can be used to cheaply smooth off any rough edges on bridges and nuts etc. that strings would rub on in the final build. Use it like a file. Because the string isn't under as much tension it dosnt break. Makes everything as smooth as butter for strings to slide through. ... edit.. same as paul, I should read all posts first.