My first CBG is in the books

Well, I finally have completed my first CBG. It took me longer than I wanted but lots of that was paranoia about making mistakes and so doing lots of reading. asking questions, watching videos and procrastination... Finally done though. I still need to make sure the intonation is correct. I will be doing that tomorrow. It is not perfect and I will make changes to the next one but I am happy with it and most importantly my daughter likes it and is for her so...

I did have an issue with buzzing on two of the strings and it was due to the strings not having enough of a break angle off the head. I wound up putting 2 screws in to hold them down and it stopped the issue. I had gone with zero fret using a finishing nail that was larger than the frets with a bolt behind it for guiding the strings but it was not enough so had to use the screws. Next time I will make some changes there. I was surprised at how much sound it makes when not plugged in. I put sound holes in the side of it.

Inside it has two 20mm piezos one on each side of the bridge.

I used a section of ceiling lamp extension rod for the bridge, it is long so I will cut some more off I think. I had to raise it up so as you can see, I used what I had handy to raise it. I was going to change it for something else but my daughter liked it so I think will stay but will see.

I made it for my older daughter and my younger daughter is the one who cannot put it down. I have already started hers today or she won't give her sister hers back. I am going to do a shorter one though, it is too big for her.

Thanks to everybody for their help and advice.

Mike

A few photos:

photo-3.jpg

So, just reaching back as it has been a few days with our new CBG. A few things.

I removed the coasters as the action was too high. I had originally out them in due to the buzzing then had put the screw string trees on which fixed the buzzing so they are no longer needed, as nice as they looked and worked for what I had intended.

I must now start building my own in tandem with my youngest daughter's as I have not been able to put it down and need to let my daughter have it for her own. I find playing it addicting and relaxing even though I suck at it badly. I regret now how long I waited in life to try my hand at an instrument. I always thought, I don't have time but really wish I had made the time. I have been picking it up every chance I get right now though and even though I suck, I suck a little bit less than I did this morning and this morning I sucked a little less than yesterday.

I am glad I took the plunge.

Thanks again to everybody for your help and advice to get me through my build.

Mike

Replies

Jo Fjelstrom February 25, 2015 at 7:17pm

It's so nice to see your daughter getting into the guitar!
- Mike > Jo Fjelstrom February 25, 2015 at 10:38pm
  
  Thanks Jo. Both of them are really interested. My older daughter last year took half a year of guitar as an elective in 7th grade so has a little something to start with. She is an artist and has been taking private lessons since she was in 2nd grade. The woman who teaches her works out of her house and her husband teaches guitar right accross the hall in the house. He was in a band called the remains who at one point was opening for the Beatles. My daughter is planning on bringing her new toy to their house next week to show him. She is excited as he has always been so nice and encouraging to her. That and she is a big Beatles fan so that has always been a connection she has with him.
Mike February 24, 2015 at 10:55pm

So, just reaching back as it has been a few days with our new CBG. A few things.

I removed the coasters as the action was too high. I had originally out them in due to the buzzing then had put the screw string trees on which fixed the buzzing so they are no longer needed, as nice as they looked and worked for what I had intended.

I must now start building my own in tandem with my youngest daughter's as I have not been able to put it down and need to let my daughter have it for her own. I find playing it addicting and relaxing even though I suck at it badly. I regret now how long I waited in life to try my hand at an instrument. I always thought, I don't have time but really wish I had made the time. I have been picking it up every chance I get right now though and even though I suck, I suck a little bit less than I did this morning and this morning I sucked a little less than yesterday.

I am glad I took the plunge.

Thanks again to everybody for your help and advice to get me through my build.

Mike
- Bama Hound > Mike February 25, 2015 at 7:12am
  
  Mike if you want to keep your coasters,you might consider this. After you get the intonation like you want it mark the footprint of your bridge on the coaster then cut that out with a box knife, then put bridge in the hole. Just a thought. BH
  - Mike > Bama Hound February 25, 2015 at 1:20pm
    
    Thank you for the idea. I would be too nervous to do it. Next build I will use maybe smaller bridge if I want to pop a coaster in there. Since all built I don't want to risk screwing up the top. I can be mistake prone. :)
14 buck bass (aka antonio) February 23, 2015 at 9:13am

Mike thats a great build man. Its sure something when you build one for your daughter huh. Those are the most special. I love the beer coasters. very nice , looks like you better get crackin on the other one lol
- Mike > 14 buck bass (aka antonio) February 23, 2015 at 12:35pm
  
  Thanks. And yes I need to get moving. They are fighting now over the other one. :)
john mackay February 23, 2015 at 8:12am

you can always use a sink strainer. just as good.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=honda+grab+rail&_osacat=0&...
George Mesheau February 22, 2015 at 8:10pm

Great looking guit.. just wondering what did you use as covers for your sound holes. like them..
- Mike > George Mesheau February 22, 2015 at 8:44pm
  
  Thank you and everybody else for the nice comments.
  
  I purchased them on eBay. The seller is called on-the-earth. This is the item number 331102872914
  
  They are some sort of vent covers and they sell different sizes. I got the box corners from them as well. They are in china so took a couple of weeks. I figure 98% of what I would buy in the US will also be from china anyway and I liked the look of them.

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