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

First build issues

Hey gents, I've finally strung my first build. I made the fret board flush with the top of the box, following some of the builds I watched on youtube. Now that its strung the action is really high. Now I see why a raised fret board is so common. My bridge is not how I envisioned but my plan would make the action ridiculous. I have tried to tune it to GDG but it doesn't sound right. Not that I have anything to compare it to. I lowered the action a bit and it's better but not right yet. How can I tell whats wrong with it?

any advice would be appreciated

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on November 11, 2016 at 8:43pm

A pic or 2 might give someone a few ideas to help you with, try to get one at least, from side on so we can view the neck/bridge/nut relationship

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dave Luke on November 12, 2016 at 7:14pm

I'm having email issues so I can't post pictures right now. I did take your advice. I had deep grooves in the nut and it was too tall. The bridge was also way to high. I replaced the walnut bridge with a 8-32 screw without the head. The action is still a little high down towards the box but it works and sounds much better. Thanks guys.

▶ Reply

RSS

Welcome to
Cigar Box Nation

Sign Up
or Sign In

Or sign in with:

The Essential Pages

Site Sponsor

Forum

You like Train songs on Handmade instruments as much as I do? Meet Eastwood station…

Started by BrianQ. in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts on Tuesday. 0 Replies 2 Likes

Free PDF Download: Vintage Guitar Effects Plans - 1967 Fuzzbox and 1969 Treble Boost

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes

No Harmonics

Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes

Camera suggestions?

Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes

CBG site issues, continued.

Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes

Anyone used a violin-style tailpiece on a CBG?

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Carl Floyd Mar 1. 15 Replies 0 Likes

Guitar for the grandson

Started by Joe in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Carl Floyd Feb 29. 13 Replies 0 Likes

Blog Posts

I'll be fashionable this summer =)

Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like

Everyone can make CBG. And I did it =)

Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes

.✨. Cover Me ..♪♫•¨•. ~ the Delta Blues Outlaws

Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

Q&A with Arkansas-based talented blues musician Billy Jones, one of the very best authentic modern artists

Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

Big Power Bank for Small CBG =)

Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like

Latest Activity

BrianQ. left a comment for Clydr

2 hours ago

BrianQ. left a comment for James C Bailey

2 hours ago

BrianQ. left a comment for Airam

2 hours ago

T-Gripped liked Dogleg Steve's video

Fiddly Rag from the book Cigar Box Picking by Dogleg Steve

2 hours ago

T-Gripped liked Gary O'slide's video

Slide cigar box guitar @RhialtoPurple folk song

2 hours ago

Uncle John commented on Uncle John's photo

Chugger Review 2nd from left

"Thanks. Ron. I agree on the Padron boxes. I think they are close to the best for looks…"

3 hours ago

Bassdude updated their profile

5 hours ago

RON NORTHCUTT commented on Uncle John's photo

Chugger Review 2nd from left

"Nice looking collection, I just finished 2 with the padron boxes, they are among my faves. I have…"

5 hours ago

RON NORTHCUTT commented on Rich's photo

Retro Tin tail piece view

"That is a super nice build. Everything about it looks great."

5 hours ago

Cigar Box Nation posted an event

Cigar Box Nation: York PA - A CBG Builder's Meet-Up at York Town Craft Guild

May 11, 2024 from 1pm to 4pm

6 hours ago

0 Comments 0 Likes

Airam, James C Bailey and Clydr joined Cigar Box Nation

6 hours ago

Uncle John commented on Uncle John's photo

Chugger Review 2nd from left

"Thanks Glenn and Andries. Andries, those cactus rock!"

7 hours ago

CigarBoxGuitar.com Knowledgebase Articles

Add a Panel-Mount Gain to a C. B. Gitty Amp Board

Cigar Box Guitar Building Tip: Neck Reinforcement with Humbuckers

A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Make a Straight Headstock

Cigar Box Ukulele Kit Assembly Guide

Advanced Cigar Box Guitar Building guide by Joshua Gayou

“Open A” AEA Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open E” EBE Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open D” DAD Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open G” GDG Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

Diatonic (Dulcimer-Style) Fretting – What it is, How and Why to Use It

More…

Events

Republic of Texas CBG Festival (8th Annual)

May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 Likes
Cigar Box Nation: York PA - A CBG Builder's Meet-Up

May 11, 2024 from 1pm to 4pm – York Town Craft Guild
0 Comments 0 Likes

20th Annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival (Day 1)

May 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes

20th Annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival (Day 2)

May 31, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium
0 Comments 0 Likes

20th Annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival (Day 3, Daytime)

June 1, 2024 from 11am to 3pm – Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
0 Comments 0 Likes

Music

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service

Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!

#xg { position:relative;top:120px; } #xn_bar { top:120px; }

Hello, you need to enable JavaScript to use Cigar Box Nation.

Please check your browser settings or contact your system administrator.

Scroll \uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->

First build issues

Replies to This Discussion

The Essential Pages

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources

Forum

Blog Posts

Latest Activity

Cigar Box Nation: York PA - A CBG Builder's Meet-Up at York Town Craft Guild

CigarBoxGuitar.com Knowledgebase Articles

Events

Music