I am about to build my first CBG, and I want to do a good job. I'm somewhat of a perfectionist. My question concerns the through-neck and the top. The plan I am looking at says to glue the inside of the top to the neck, but I remember seeing a diagram on the net showing a neck that was recessed about 1/8 inch below the top. In my mind, this would allow the top to vibrate freely, making the CGB sound fuller and louder. Am I right in this? Would it be worth my time/effort to recess the neck so that it doesn't touch the top?
Thanks in advance... Marcus
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I wouldn't glue it down either. That way you can open it up if need too. Or you can make a back cavity opening with a cover like on regular electric guitars. But overall its a CBG and there are no rules, kind of a live n learn what works best fo you.
I only recess my necks for the thickness of the box lid to sit in, mainly each box will have it only sound and that will be the only definite difference. All you can do it try and see what you think you like. I am sure I am repeating what others have also posted. Just have FUN !!!
The only reason I've glued boxes closed is to eliminate lid buzzing, though with careful use of felt in some joints, I probably could have eliminated that issue....
To date, all my through-necks are recessed, though I like the idea of doing a little less work and gluing to the lid...
Please re-read CBJ's note: I he's saying GLUE the neck to the lid, but don't glue the neck to the body, or glue the box shut! If you don't glue to the neck, it might buzz really badly...
John
NO NO NO!!!..My approach is not under any circumstances to glue the box top to the neckstick!!!
My bad, I'll work on my reading skills...
Dont know it that was advice for me... but I certainly wont be gluing top of box to the thru fretboard.
There will be a gap about 1/8th inch.
What I am doing is planing the edge of the lid and box so that the maximum contact is made and it will be screwed together. The lid and box may have a hinge showing (design feature) but it wont be operable as such. I want a very neat and tight finish where the neck enters. A hinged lid wont allow that.
I intend to screw down my lid and make the screw heads part of the design feature. Probably hex head screws.
I will be making sure there is a flush fit between lid and base so that I get maximum resonation from the box.
I would have thought using felt would counter the resonance?
Thanks for the replies! it seems there is consensus... The difference isn't worth the extra effort. As for gluing the neck... Im leaning towards Chickenbone's advice... have it touch, but don't glue.
Thanks again, guys!
I dont think I would allow it to even touch.
I had to trouble shoot a Cajon recently to eliminate buzzes. Some of these ugly buzzes were wood on wood due to bad construction technique . Flat fillets of wood in the corners up against the ply resonating surface.
A simple angle on fillet solved the issues for the corners as well as where the snare strings ran over them.
( A Cajon is a simple wooden box like a CBG)
These buzzes can get ugly.
Thanx for asking this question . I am a 1st time builder and was going to ask exactly the same.
In my box I have a stringer running the length of the box in line with where the neck will run thru. (see photo)
I am thinking of using that to screw down the neck and leave a 1/4 inch gap to the sounding board which is 3mm ply.
The answers you have got are very helpful. (I guess everything is an experiment and thats the fun.)
Looking forward to tracking your progress Marc.
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