With my first CBG build it came out "OK", even though in hindsight, I think it could of been better but I'm not gonna beat myself up too bad and have learned to deal with my first CBG being mediocre. I wanted AWESOME for my first build...but, whatever.
The problem that I had was the neck. I got frustrated with the frets, position (so I did NOT put in any frests as a result) and with creating the neck itself.
Question is How do I get a great neck for my next CBG? Is there a place that I can buy a CBG neck? Can I use a standard guitar neck? Are there any secrets to necks? What has worked for you in the past when it comes to necks?
My first build was a 3 string CGB, my next build, I'm thinking 6 string, Any advice?
Check out link on my first CBG
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Time or ability or lack of confidence or lack of obtaining raw materials for a build , ALL take away from the coolness factor / mojo of a cbg . X mas is near so wrap some cigar box wrapping paper around a strat and rock out!!
David Lloyd said:
Ideally but if time, or ability, or lack of confidence prevents a complete homemade build isn't this a good option? Also living in the UK means it rains 24/7 for most of the year apart from two weeks at the end of July when there is a hosepipe ban to save water (called summer)- this reduces the time available to do loads of wood working outside (sawdust on the living room carpet = unhappy wife). I must admit I get a buzz out of breathing new life into beat up old instruments and would not buy a brand new neck but opt for a old one with a bit more character. That said I will only consider myself a full CBGer once I have built myself a 3 stringer (neck and all). I like the concept of the only rules to CBG making is that there are no rules ;o) jim said:
Just a thought, keep it homemade isn't that what its all about?
Ideally but if time, or ability, or lack of confidence prevents a complete homemade build isn't this a good option? Also living in the UK means it rains 24/7 for most of the year apart from two weeks at the end of July when there is a hosepipe ban to save water (called summer)- this reduces the time available to do loads of wood working outside (sawdust on the living room carpet = unhappy wife). I must admit I get a buzz out of breathing new life into beat up old instruments and would not buy a brand new neck but opt for a old one with a bit more character. That said I will only consider myself a full CBGer once I have built myself a 3 stringer (neck and all). I like the concept of the only rules to CBG making is that there are no rules ;o)
jim said:
Just a thought, keep it homemade isn't that what its all about?
if you know wood working and have the proper tools theres not much to a 6 string neck btw im gonna plug Melvyn Hiscocks book agian "build your own electic guitar" as far as the right tools stewmac lmi or ebay
but for my first i would just go to guitar fetish and buy me a bolt on neck for 30 bucks or so.
All mine have been 6 string guitars (I finally got around to posting a few pictures so click on my icon to check them out) using recycled strat necks off ebay - You need to check the box will be long enough so you fit the bridge on as the fretboard length is predetermined. I really like hardtail electric guitar bridges so you can easily adjust the string action and by opting for a bolt on electric neck you can shim the neck to get the action just right if you have to. If you decide on a 6 string you have to reinforce the box so the extra string tension doesn't bend the box. The best way I have seen of doing this is far better than I have used previously and you can look it up in the Smokehouse Guitars Group (Community Tab, Group, and then it is in there somewhere) or here if the link works http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/smokehouseguitars/forum/topics/...
I use wooden plywood 35mm slide boxes as the cigar boxes I can get locally in the UK are too small or too fragile.
Not sure about the USA but in the uk it is often cheaper to get a whole beat up budget guitar than just a single neck.
If that is your first I look forward to seeing your next one :o)
Diane, Tres and HOG +5. Stick with the 3 or 4 string. If (and I don't suggest this unless you really are skilled) you want a string, buy a good neck. Don't bother with making. Plus the trus rod would be a pain to get right.
If fretting is your hastle we can help with that too. Its not hard, it just is what it is. Good tools and good fret wire help. Also use your scale template (we can help with that too). We can tell you where to get/find all that.
If you are building a 6 string your best bet is to buy a guitar neck from thebay.
It will save you hours of work and will be cheaper, if you are lucky, than buying all the parts to put one together.
If you just want to go 3 or 4 string then I use oak for the necks and it is reasonable to work with.
As for the frets they are the soul of the neck and if you don't get it right it will sound crap (ask bemuzic).
If you take care when marking out the fret positions, always from the nut never fret to fret. You will then need a thin saw for the cuts. You can use a junior hacksaw blade for this if you check the width of the cut. If it is too big you can carefully tap the 'set' back with a hammer on a hard surface.
Hope this helps.
Hogs.
I agree with Diane: I'd say to stick with 3 or 4 strings until you get comfortable with the process: a 6-banger is more technically challenging, because the neck typically needs reinforcement to deal with the added string weight.
Depending on the tools you have available, you might look at laminating two 1x2s together to form the blank for your neck, and then cutting the profile to match your expectations. Or look at doing a separate fingerboard: you can work on fretting it separately from the neck, and then glue it on when you are happy with the frets.
I'd build a really good fretted 3 string first, with the kind of action you like. Once you get into 6, you're also getting into truss rods and whatnot.
Also, you're likely to build dozens, so that six string can just get moved down the queue. It'll be waiting. ;->
Replies
David Lloyd said:
jim said:
but for my first i would just go to guitar fetish and buy me a bolt on neck for 30 bucks or so.
Your first CBG looks brilliant!
If you are having a problem with anything try searching the forum - there was a discussion a while ago about inexpensive guitar necks
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/inexpensive-6-string-necks
and one of many about fretboard templates which has links to fretboard calculators.
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/fret-templates
All mine have been 6 string guitars (I finally got around to posting a few pictures so click on my icon to check them out) using recycled strat necks off ebay - You need to check the box will be long enough so you fit the bridge on as the fretboard length is predetermined. I really like hardtail electric guitar bridges so you can easily adjust the string action and by opting for a bolt on electric neck you can shim the neck to get the action just right if you have to. If you decide on a 6 string you have to reinforce the box so the extra string tension doesn't bend the box. The best way I have seen of doing this is far better than I have used previously and you can look it up in the Smokehouse Guitars Group (Community Tab, Group, and then it is in there somewhere) or here if the link works http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/smokehouseguitars/forum/topics/...
I use wooden plywood 35mm slide boxes as the cigar boxes I can get locally in the UK are too small or too fragile.
Not sure about the USA but in the uk it is often cheaper to get a whole beat up budget guitar than just a single neck.
If that is your first I look forward to seeing your next one :o)
Regards,
David
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z9_pr7ntwk
If fretting is your hastle we can help with that too. Its not hard, it just is what it is. Good tools and good fret wire help. Also use your scale template (we can help with that too). We can tell you where to get/find all that.
-WY
It will save you hours of work and will be cheaper, if you are lucky, than buying all the parts to put one together.
If you just want to go 3 or 4 string then I use oak for the necks and it is reasonable to work with.
As for the frets they are the soul of the neck and if you don't get it right it will sound crap (ask bemuzic).
If you take care when marking out the fret positions, always from the nut never fret to fret. You will then need a thin saw for the cuts. You can use a junior hacksaw blade for this if you check the width of the cut. If it is too big you can carefully tap the 'set' back with a hammer on a hard surface.
Hope this helps.
Hogs.
Depending on the tools you have available, you might look at laminating two 1x2s together to form the blank for your neck, and then cutting the profile to match your expectations. Or look at doing a separate fingerboard: you can work on fretting it separately from the neck, and then glue it on when you are happy with the frets.
Also, you're likely to build dozens, so that six string can just get moved down the queue. It'll be waiting. ;->