Hello to all! This is my first post and first cbg build! I have read quite a bit and had a couple of questions before I start my build.
I have a 24" piece of 1.5x1.5 bocote wood that I am planning to use for my neck. Has anyone used this wood before? Also, is the 24" overall length going to be too short? The body is a small box so I thought the shorter neck would complement the overall size. I am thinking to make a fret less model to start.
Thanks in advance!
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
I've used bocote often. it's a slippery slope. it is so beautiful because of the grain pattern, however this grain pattern is caused by the large amounts of SAP wood present. My advice: Use titebond 3 when gluing, or epoxy. rough up surface and wipe down with acetone. Do not use a oil based finish, it will not dry on the sap. use a waterbase finish. ( I used a nice piece of bocote for a fretboard, cut and book matched. I sprayed it with minwax poly gloss. two weeks later it was still not dry, had to sand it off and start over. good luck, it's worth it. ) PS....StewMac fretboard oil is a very good choice.
Callousfingaz > Daniel WalterNovember 24, 2015 at 11:41pm
Good to know! I actually had thought about using a gloss on it. Good to not make that mistake!
Daniel Walter > CallousfingazNovember 25, 2015 at 9:08am
My brother gifted me with a large and long piece of bocote, and after some troublesome events, i did some research and just wanted to throw out a fun fact. most bocote comes from mexico and is very hard. to this day, they still cut the trees the same way. with two mules on opposite sides and a length of "rope saw" between them. then they just have the mules go back and forth. it's beautiful wood.
Thanks for the reply. One more question (for now)!
Do I want the neck going through the body to actually touch the top of the lid? Or do I want some airspace? I haven't been able to find a definite answer anywhere.
There isn't an answer because you could do it 'all' ways. Neck to to top, neck to the bottom, through the middle, all the above... You could brace around the sides or front and attach the neck to that if the body is strong enough for the strings and bridge.
For the 1.5" square you have, I'd probably do a through-the-middle or middle + bottom brace. Wayfinder's image shows strings behind the body (more or less). This way would leave plenty of room for pickup routing too. Should make it a quick build, and Bocote makes gorgeous necks.
Replies
I've used bocote often. it's a slippery slope. it is so beautiful because of the grain pattern, however this grain pattern is caused by the large amounts of SAP wood present. My advice: Use titebond 3 when gluing, or epoxy. rough up surface and wipe down with acetone. Do not use a oil based finish, it will not dry on the sap. use a waterbase finish. ( I used a nice piece of bocote for a fretboard, cut and book matched. I sprayed it with minwax poly gloss. two weeks later it was still not dry, had to sand it off and start over. good luck, it's worth it. ) PS....StewMac fretboard oil is a very good choice.
My brother gifted me with a large and long piece of bocote, and after some troublesome events, i did some research and just wanted to throw out a fun fact. most bocote comes from mexico and is very hard. to this day, they still cut the trees the same way. with two mules on opposite sides and a length of "rope saw" between them. then they just have the mules go back and forth. it's beautiful wood.
Do I want the neck going through the body to actually touch the top of the lid? Or do I want some airspace? I haven't been able to find a definite answer anywhere.
Thanks again
There isn't an answer because you could do it 'all' ways. Neck to to top, neck to the bottom, through the middle, all the above... You could brace around the sides or front and attach the neck to that if the body is strong enough for the strings and bridge.
For the 1.5" square you have, I'd probably do a through-the-middle or middle + bottom brace. Wayfinder's image shows strings behind the body (more or less). This way would leave plenty of room for pickup routing too. Should make it a quick build, and Bocote makes gorgeous necks.