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First time build questions?

Just started to look into building a CBG for my daughters project at school. I have figured out most things from reading but still have a few questions. I bought a cigar box that I think looks really neat. It is 9 by 6 by 1 3/4 inches. The depth is really bothering me. Will the shallow depth gibe me problems with sound? Also I want to use a 25 inch scale. As I understand the 25 inch is measured from the nut to the bridge. But I don't know how many frets to use. Also do most people fasten down there bridges or do they just stay in place from the tesion of the strings. Thanks for your time.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on January 10, 2017 at 6:40am

The depth of the box will work OK. When it comes to fretting it, just use as many as will fit on the fretboard!

If you are using a floating bridge, it will be simply held in place by the pressure of the strings.

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Permalink Reply by Matt on January 10, 2017 at 6:43am

Have you seen anyone just wood burn frets in? Would that work?

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on January 10, 2017 at 6:46am

perfect for slide....it's been done many, many times. You still need to be careful to get a level fretboard if you plant on playing any fingerstyle. possible on fretless, but more difficult.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on January 10, 2017 at 7:51am

For a first time build I'd recommend fretless with simple fret markers - putting frets in is not the easiest thing to do. It's not rocket science, but there is a craft and a knack to it..so I'd suggest you go fretless for a first time build.

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Permalink Reply by JL on January 11, 2017 at 3:45am

I always plan for at least 17 frets, and however many more look/feel right. 17 allows all the first position picking to be played 1 octave up.

woodburning in fretmarkers looks great.

A floating bridge is a good idea, it allows you to shift & angle it to compensate for string stretch and get the intonation correct (look at a commercially produced guitar, the bridge sits at an angle with the bass string side farther away from the nut).

but not a ROLLING bridge. a bit of threaded rod just sitting there will tend to roll forward out-of-position toward the nut as you tune/play/retune.

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Permalink Reply by Matt on January 11, 2017 at 3:55am

Thabks for all the Info guys. Here is another one for you. What do you finish the neck with? I have a linseed oil I like to use on all my wood working projects. But do you guys lacquer your necks or poly them. I don't want to make the neck sticky or not playable.

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on January 11, 2017 at 5:56am

Linseed oil is fine. You're not making a piece of fine furniture... keep it simple.

Chickenbone John has it right... a slide guitar is a perfect first project...

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Permalink Reply by Matt on January 11, 2017 at 6:17am

So after oil do people typically poly the necks or lacquer or do they leave them just oiled.

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Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on January 11, 2017 at 8:27am

All three have their merits. With oil (linseed, Danish, TruOil, etc) you can get a very nice & durable finish. A bonus is that in time, if the neck gets worn, a simple re-application of oil is all that's needed.

With lacquer, ambient temperature and proper ventilation are important for health reasons. Plus the drying/curing time can be from a few days to a few weeks depending on relative humidity, temp., etc.

Here is a link for fret calculation...http://www.stewmac.com/FretCalculator/

With the box you mentioned being 9" long, wanting a 25" scale length, if you position the bridge about 2" from the tail end of the box, there will be space on the neck from box to nut for 18 frets, either wood burned or actual frets.

Best of luck on your project.