Getting the bits together for my first CBG.
Box, strings, nut, bridge, pickups, tuners, etc all sourced and either in hand or on the way.
The only *small* problem I have is something for the neck :(
None of the chain-type DIY stores around here sell anything other than softwood. And I can't find a wood merchant within 30 miles that might sell me 3ft of a hardwood. (This is Fife, Scotland if anyone wants to point me in the rtght direction)
I have some pine in the shed - including some boards from 30 yr old bunk beds that I don't think are gonna warp anytime soon - is it totally impossible to use any of that ?
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Thanks for the encouragement. I'll keep my eyes open on my travels for hardwood for future use, but I'd rather get on with the first one that set off on wild goose chases.
I'll check later, but I reckon laminating two side by side and using that face, possibly even with some strengthening in the laminate will be the way to go.
And yes, I will err on the side of substance to keep as much strength as possible.
Excellent, take pictures.
If you can laminate the pieces in a way that the grain doesn't exactly align between the pieces it will help with strength too - that's the secret of plywood. The great part about laminating (other than the cool visual effect) is that the glue bond is actually stronger than the wood by itself. If you can make it a three part neck, perhaps bringing together a couple soft pine pieces around a core of that prime 30 year aged wood, you should have plenty of strength for 3, or maybe even 4 strings.
Hi.
I know what it is like. Our friends across the pond don't know how lucky they are.
Just as a thought for the future. Have a word with any company that does house clearances. Explain what you are after and ask if they have any bits of furniture that are too scruffy to sell. Even if they don't have anything as the moment, keep in touch with them and they may turn up old stuff from which you can salvage wood.
Also, let friends know what you are doing. They may have wood that has been sitting around. I got a huge amount of wood from a friend (mahogany, oak, beech and hemlock). He said he would have burned it otherwise. Old wood is the best.
Thanks everyone.
@John - I had come to the same conclusion, that old furniture (charity shops etc) might well prove to be the best source.
@Jon - yes, that may be a plan for CBGs 2+, I'm too impatient on this one.
When I looked again at the pieces I have, they were so close to 2 x 1 that I was too lazy to do all the laminating and then cutting back to size - on this first CBG anyway. And since it is all being done in the back garden on a 20 yr old cheap imitation workmate.
Well, I would have done all that if it had seemed necessary, but this wood seems so strong that I'm going to give it a go. I may well be proved worng, no doubt I am understimating the pressure it will be under, but I have similar sized pieces of "new" pine in the shed, and these old pieces are a completely different animal. Straight, true, heavy and dense compared to new pieces.
So fingers crossed.
All measured up and fashioned the neck today - first pass at least. May do a trial assembly tomorrow :)
Excellent! Build it first and see if it works later - I do that quite a bit with these myself. :)
The other thing you can do to help reduce tension is use very lightweight or nylon acoustic strings - then if it holds straight and true you can always switch up to heavier strings if you're looking for a different tone.
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