#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Building two Identical 3-string CBGs at once...... Both have the same buzzing problem....... ARGGGGGGGGGG!

I am in the process of building two identical guitars at the same time (3-stringers and FRETLESS). I figured at least one would turn out for me. Actually both of them being identical look decent and the process went pretty good. I am now at the stage of stringing and tuning them. They both have the same problem and that is that they both strum nice and clean at the open chord but when I fret anywhere on the fretboard they buzz horribly (a twangy buzz not a rattle). NOT A LITTLE... A LOT. I do play the guitar so I know a little about where to look for buzzes. This buzz is huge. The three tuners are new and tight. None of the strings are anywhere close to the fretboard anywhere. I can raise the nut and the saddle so high that I can't play it and it still buzzes when I fret. My novice thinking is that the buzzing must have to do with the box itself. I purchased both boxes from a hobby store and they feel really solid but have the usually two clasps and two hinges on the opposite side. On each corner of the box is an ornamental piece of thin metal that is tacked down. I originally thought that they might be rattling but when I lacquered the final finish I pretty much cemented them down so they aren't moving.. I don't think. The other area that I thought might be making the buzzing is that I glued a 1/4" strip of red cedar (fretboard) onto the neck which is 1" x 2" red cedar and that all seems fine but I cut the 1/4" fretboard right at the junction of the body and the neck. In other words, the fretboard does not overlap onto the body. I don't know if this gap area could cause buzzing..... So a long story short.... Does extreme buzzing at every fret sound like a common mistake in building a CBG that a beginner like myself would make? Bad boxes? Maybe fretless CBGs buzz all the time?? Tried tons of strings of all different sizes and gauges. Tried all different nut and saddle heights. It plays fantastic at open chord.... just don't fret it or it buzzes.... It's a twangy buzz, if that means anything

Any common mistakes that new builders run into when they build their first one (or two) that usually creates lots of buzzing? Any thoughts good or bad appreciate. Looks like I might some good firewood for this upcoming winter

0 members like this

Attachments:

IMG_0207.jpg, 123 KB
IMG_0202.jpg, 382 KB
IMG_0206.jpg, 130 KB

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on May 27, 2011 at 5:38am

Glad you got it worked out. Raising the bridge will compensate for buzz's on the neck if it has them, also too low a bridge can lay the strings flat on the neck (as Matts picture implies) and it sounds like that is what you had going. Once you get the bridge were you like it you can lower the nut really low on a fretless, almost touching. I have some of mine set so I can stick a medium pick under it and it stays, the low nut makes fretting nice, especially with a high bridge.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Huntz Meyer on May 27, 2011 at 6:09am

I'll agree and disagree with Matt. The drawing he shows will buzz, not because of the back angle, but because of the 'negative' angle between string and fretboard. Drop the nut, and/or raise the bridge and a backangle works fine - just make sure the string has a positive angle with the fretboard. More gap at 12th fret than at 1st fret. Extreme example shown.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by molinee on May 27, 2011 at 3:22pm

AND WE ALL LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

THE END!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Brian "Pork Pie" Anderson on June 9, 2011 at 9:15am

to me it looks like the box lid to the box is where your issue is, those box clasps are not tight enough IMO to keep the box lid tight against the bottom, this is based on my past experience, your box may be diff. if you could clamp the lid/box with two small clamps and try to strum it that will determine for sure