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Permalink Reply by Blkbird on March 12, 2009 at 5:36pm

Nice Canjo!

Is that a regular screw for the nut? I haven't been able to find any clear cut instructions on the net, but I've been aching to build one ever since I saw oldmanparatrooper play. I'll try to embed the video below. Thanks for sharing and have fun building the cbg.

Bob

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Permalink Reply by Mberglo on March 13, 2009 at 2:12am

Yes, the nut is just a sheet metal screw. I used a slotted one, but I've seen them with phillips heads. After I build my first 3 string CBG, I want to build a 3 string mountain dulcimer, which is played like the video you posted.

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Permalink Reply by David Beede on April 28, 2009 at 9:11am

What's known as the "zero" fret - a fret placed where the nut would normally be, can circumvent a lot of issues regarding action and set up. Then how you guide the string to your tuner is less critical. you can even have a carved out slot or a saw kerf that makes the string track to the tuner. As long as there is enough angle to the string as it leaves the "zero" fret, buzz should be no problem. Screws can cause a string to buzz. Here's a sample on one of my octave dulcimers.

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Permalink Reply by Roger Martin on April 28, 2009 at 11:03am

I've just about switched completely to screws,for my 1 stringers.I use slotted when I can find them and Phillips when I cant. With phillips I file a slot into the screw for the string to properly lay into,making sure there are no sharp areas to cut the string and I try to angle the screw to the tuners.

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Permalink Reply by Zeb on April 28, 2009 at 11:21am

This reminds me of a Music Maker Kits Strumbly.(www.harpkit.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Cod...) You can buy the kit for under $100 .
(www.strumstick.com/)The strumstick is similar. I'm going to say more options and refinement. More options like pick ups etc. They also have music you can down load. Chuck

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