Hello all of you knowledgeable instrument builders,

After building three four string guitars, a three string guitar, an eight string mandolin, an ukulele, and a diddley bow I feel ready to graduate to building a six string.

The only problem is that I'll need a truss rod for that and I do not have any power tools (except for a drill). So how do I cut a straight and even truss rod groove without a router?

Any suggestions?

My only idea so far is to make a three part laminate neck with the middle part the same width as the square metal rod I want to use as a nonadjustable truss rod. Something like the sketch below.

Do you think that would work? Has anybody done this successfully?

Thanks!

Views: 5923

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

You don't need power tools, you can use a traditional router plane, sometimes known as an "old woman's tooth". You should be be able to pick one up reasonably cheap 2ndhand.

That is beautiful, Kirk!

There are instructional videos on You Tube on how to make your own. To be fair it looks harder than making a three string!

your multi-piece neck will probably work and might even be stronger than a single piece neck. As far as the router plane, all the ones on eBay were more expensive than a real router, not sure what you can find in Germany, you may find someone who has a shop and can route it for you for a minimal cost.

Let us know what you do

This method is a "poor man's" router.

I'm liking that!

That is great!

Multi-laminate  necks are the way it was done before truss rods came along.,the diagram above will work just fine.,.,.,even if you leave out the metal rod.,.,check out Steve Wishnevsky's builds.,.,he has a 6 string bass on ebay right now with no truss rod in the neck and none needed.,.,i'm sure he has thousands of builds that used the multi-laminate style neck with no truss rod.,.,ask him.,.,he tells no lies.,.,

and I have tried it too.,,.a 3 piece neck with a fingerboard, and the diagram above is very similar to a "I" beam.,.,plenty rigid.,.,

I own a Wishnevsky "Wishbass" and it's fantastic!

Shane, I used to be a Wishnevsky collector.,I was up to 25 or so before the big sell-off.,.,I still have 5 or 6 from the old days., Have to say you have some nice builds yourself,. !!

I have built 3 six strings with the 3 piece neck, 23 1/2 scale (like a Taylor Mini) for reduced string tension. The added fingerboard thickness significantly reduces the bending stress. Plus it makes the neck less top heavy.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

Busking Songs...

Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods 14 hours ago. 7 Replies

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
Thumbnail

Wooden Guitar Slides from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Demo!!!!

"Great Sliding ! But to be honest i dont hear that much a differens,  beleave the Glass is a…"
1 hour ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Up the Hill A D Eker 2024

"thanks AGP;# ! much appriciated !"
2 hours ago
Crazed Fandango added a discussion to the group Introduce Yourself!
Thumbnail

Better late than never...

After joining this forum in 2014, I finally have my 1st CBG which my wife bought for me at the…See More
4 hours ago
Bernie Edwards liked J. D. Woods's photo
4 hours ago
Crazed Fandango joined Cigar Box Nation's group
Thumbnail

Introduce Yourself!

We wanna know who you are! Where ya from? What'cha buildin'? This is a place for new members to…See More
4 hours ago
Crazed Fandango liked Nomad Jack's discussion Busking Songs...
4 hours ago
Fantacone Box Works commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
7 hours ago
Fantacone Box Works commented on Ghostbuttons's photo
Thumbnail

Four projects

"Very nice"
7 hours ago
Dar Stellabotta posted a video

Wooden Guitar Slides from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Demo!!!!

In this video I compare the three different wooden slides made by David Bell and Phil Young up against my Dunlop glass slide! I gotta say these wooden slides...
7 hours ago
Fantacone Box Works posted a status
"Thanks Brian. We'll that's mighty exclusive."
7 hours ago
Ghostbuttons commented on Ghostbuttons's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_2850

"Four recent projects. All 23 inch GDG. From left (bottom): 1.  20 years ago I worked for the…"
8 hours ago
Ghostbuttons posted a photo
8 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->