Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jkevn on September 18, 2009 at 1:58pm

First tip....read, search, read some more. When you get tired of reading....look at pictures, over 12,000 of them for your viewing pleasure. Every question you've asked is on here somewhere, and alot that you haven't thought of yet.

As for those questions:
Yes you are doing fine so far...
Walmart strings are 4 bucks, I use the 3,4,5 strings and tune them G,D,g
try searching for "tailpiece" in the photos...lots of ideas for terminating the strings
your imagination is the only limiting factor for bridges.

Get out there and make some sawdust, we'll be here when you need something...

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Permalink Reply by Mortimer Snerd on September 18, 2009 at 3:57pm

Ted Crocker said:

I'm not a big fan of Gorilla Glue because it expands and can be messy. Can't go wrong with Titebond or Elmers wood glue.
I strongly agree

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on September 19, 2009 at 1:12am

I'm with Ted on the Gorilla Glue. I Hate it. Titebond or hide/gelatine glue. I used to use minwax polyurethane but I found that it makes the neck a little sticky. Shellac is my fave now. Nice and smoooooth.

Have you installed frets? Read up. The first fretted I did went ok, but there are a lot of things I needed to learn. Hey, why not fretless? With a nice slide, they can sound really great.

Again, same as Ted -- 3 string configuration.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Doug on September 19, 2009 at 4:05am

I agree with the others. You are doing good except for the Gorilla Glue. It is messy. AND, I'll say it again. This Video was worth every penny to get me off on the right foot:

http://cgi.ebay.com/How-to-Make-Your-Own-Cigar-Box-Guitar-Region-Fr...

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Permalink Reply by Casey jones on September 19, 2009 at 3:42pm

Thanks everyone so much, i haven't done much yet just still sanding, getting ready to drill holes soon...Ive got some great ideas, im definitely going to return my gorilla glue and purchase either some Elmer's wood glue or Titebond...and i plan on returning the "minwax, PolyShades (stain & poly in 1 step) classic oak stain"....does anyone know a good 1 step stain & poly that comes out smooth and where i can get it?...i have a home depo and lowe's near me*........Ive also decided im going with a fretless 3 string for my first CBG, again thanks, this websites great

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Permalink Reply by Casey jones on September 19, 2009 at 3:53pm

hey thanks, that "tailpeice" search came in pretty handy ive got some good ideas, i found a bounch of rivits in my house i can slide my strings through...i also like the idea of drill three holes through a strike plate for a door, i might use that too

Jkevn said:

First tip....read, search, read some more. When you get tired of reading....look at pictures, over 12,000 of them for your viewing pleasure. Every question you've asked is on here somewhere, and alot that you haven't thought of yet.

As for those questions:
Yes you are doing fine so far...
Walmart strings are 4 bucks, I use the 3,4,5 strings and tune them G,D,g
try searching for "tailpiece" in the photos...lots of ideas for terminating the strings
your imagination is the only limiting factor for bridges.

Get out there and make some sawdust, we'll be here when you need something...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ronnie Retherford on September 19, 2009 at 4:00pm

Ditto on the polyurethane, but I have use polycylic on my last two guitars and like it better than poly. I'll give the shellac a try. Ditto on the G.G. also in regard to expanding, but it seems to hold well. I'll go with Titebond when the G.G. runs out. Thanks for mentioning Walmart strings. I'm not a big fan of Walmart, but I did find some bathtub screens for about a buck-fifty to use on a guitar. Looks neat in there.

RR

Wes Yates said:

I'm with Ted on the Gorilla Glue. I Hate it. Titebond or hide/gelatine glue. I used to use minwax polyurethane but I found that it makes the neck a little sticky. Shellac is my fave now. Nice and smoooooth.

Have you installed frets? Read up. The first fretted I did went ok, but there are a lot of things I needed to learn. Hey, why not fretless? With a nice slide, they can sound really great.

Again, same as Ted -- 3 string configuration.

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Permalink Reply by Jkevn on September 20, 2009 at 2:49am

If you're not a really patient person...like me....spray-can acrylic can be found in both satin and gloss. It dries in minutes, is very durable, and doesnt raise the grain like the water based polycrylic can. Use the stain of your choice, let dry, and spray bomb it with the can. A light buffing with a fine scotch-brite pad slicks it right up.

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on September 20, 2009 at 5:21am

ghs Jammers at WallyWorld and they cost somewhere ~ $4.00 - $4.50 depending on where you are. They are better than the First Act, IMHO, but according to ghs "GHS Jammers are a standard Nickel Plated steel electric guitar string with the same core to wrap ratio as Boomers. The string sets were designed for Walmart as an educational set, to teach beginning players the basics of strings. The main difference is in the manufacturing QC processes. ".

Either way, they work really well.

-Wes

Ronnie Retherford said:

Thanks for mentioning Walmart strings.
RR

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Permalink Reply by Casey jones on September 20, 2009 at 5:33am

yea im not to much of a patient person but i just dont wanna have to buy two different things, then mix, then paint it on.....im just lookin for an easy 1 step, with a nice look/shine and doesnt come out sticky...but thanks for the tip on the spray-can acrylic, ill have to look into that

Jkevn said:

If you're not a really patient person...like me....spray-can acrylic can be found in both satin and gloss. It dries in minutes, is very durable, and doesnt raise the grain like the water based polycrylic can. Use the stain of your choice, let dry, and spray bomb it with the can. A light buffing with a fine scotch-brite pad slicks it right up.

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Permalink Reply by Casey jones on September 20, 2009 at 5:37am

i have one wal-mart near me that used to sell drum skins, guitars, strings, picks...etc. but they got rid-of thier whole little music section they had, it just vanished one day...but ill go ahead an just buy strings at best buy in the new music center they have or sam ash or guitar center...thanks for the tip though, i knew what you were talkin about

Wes Yates said:

ghs Jammers at WallyWorld and they cost somewhere ~ $4.00 - $4.50 depending on where you are. They are better than the First Act, IMHO, but according to ghs "GHS Jammers are a standard Nickel Plated steel electric guitar string with the same core to wrap ratio as Boomers. The string sets were designed for Walmart as an educational set, to teach beginning players the basics of strings. The main difference is in the manufacturing QC processes. ".

Either way, they work really well.

-Wes

Ronnie Retherford said:

Thanks for mentioning Walmart strings.
RR

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