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

A neck predicament

So I'm new to the CBG thing but I'm most definitely hooked. I've built les Paul's and strats but for some reason cigar box guitars seem so much more fun. I've got a problem though, I'm kinda halfway through 2 builds and between 2 workshops. So therein lies my problem, I need to build 2 necks but I don't have the tools to do so. Would anyone be at all interested in selling 2 necks? (By the way I've checked online and they're either terribly built or ridiculously expensive)

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on December 11, 2013 at 5:25am

Fair point. The neck blanks I use are 22mm and the fretboard 6mm. I just round it all over and it seems quite stable. I think the addition of a fretboard adds a great deal of strength. My first couple of necks bowed quite badly but it happened straight away rather than over time. Live and learn eh?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jack Surman on December 11, 2013 at 12:12pm

Yeah I'd say a fretboard is a must and I'm thinking a scarf jointed headstock isn't a bad idea either

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jack Surman on December 11, 2013 at 12:15pm

I'm struggling to find blanks that are anything bigger than 19mm though, I may have to jump to the 25 or 30mm and just wait until I get some of my tools from storage

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on December 10, 2013 at 7:27pm

Minimal tools? Build a guitar like this, just using a knife and a hammer...these kids manage to make it work. It's the real thing. I've done it myself like this, just with a knife and a hammer..but I cheated and used a drill!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on December 10, 2013 at 7:46pm

Great video CBJ!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Piht Bull (Delta Dawg Guitars) on December 10, 2013 at 9:00pm

my tool list . gerber pocket knife , jr. hack saw , a rasp , a screwdriver turned into a drill , and a super old square i found in the horse pasture.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jack Surman on December 10, 2013 at 10:33pm

nice, so it is possible to do

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on December 11, 2013 at 4:32pm

Where are you, Australia? 19mm is real common here too..
Whit that kinda stuff (decking, floorboards, hardwood fence pickets etc) I like to laminate a few up maybe with a contrasting veneer between then turn it on its side.
Eg

Merbau decking (this stuffs recycled, but you can get it for a few bucks a metre at bunnings) with tassie oak veneer

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jack Surman on December 11, 2013 at 5:28pm

Yeah I'm on the Gold Coast in QLD. I've checked bunnings and you're right, 19mm is pretty common but I kinda want the extra 3-4mm as a bit of a safety net

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on December 11, 2013 at 6:49pm

You might be able to get away with 19mm. I think the reason it's common is because a planed 1x2" comes out at 19x38mm (3/4 x 1 1/2"). I should have mentioned that my necks that bowed were using timber from a local supplier, but I then started buying quarter sawn stock, which is much more resilient to bowing and therefore better for instruments.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter_sawing