Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ben Ridgeway on April 26, 2019 at 12:08pm

I like a 12 degree radius , feels better to my monkey claw
Defiantly worth the time on a 4 string

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on April 26, 2019 at 8:19pm

Hi Derek, the radius on a wider fingerboard is to facilitate easier playing of chords and fingering. On the narrow fingerboards used on 3-4  strings I don't feel the need, for me. 

I use fingering and slide styles so the strings are set up flat (do not follow the radius of the f/b) so a radiused fingerboard does not work, I also use a capo so the outside strings are put out of tune by being higher than the middle strings off the frets.

But it's a matter of taste. Make sure your frets are a good tight fit in the slot with a radiused fingerboard.

Taff

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Derek Sucharda on April 29, 2019 at 11:12am

That's a great point. Never having made one (yet) I didn't think about that. Most frets are probably straight and don't have a natural arc to match the radius. That makes sense. Thanks. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by François on April 27, 2019 at 9:26am

I never put a radius on the ones I built. I must say my first guitar was an acoustic with a flat fingerboard. It's the type of thing you get used to.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on April 27, 2019 at 7:16pm

If it's going to be fretted, you'll at least want a round over of the edge for better comfort.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bob Herget on April 27, 2019 at 8:37pm

I've only built 3 string CBGs so far myself, but the next one is to be a 4 string with a 23" scale tuned G2, D3, A3, E4, (Irish Tenor tuning) and I plan to use a flat fretboard.

I play an Ibanez AVT1 Tenor Guitar (23" scale) that has a 1-1/4" neck width at the nut, and 1-1/2" width at the 14th fret, where it meets the body. The published radius per Ibanez is 400mm, or 15-3/4". The height of the (mathematical) chord segment at the center of the fretboard in relation to the edges is an itty, bitty 0.218mm, or 0.0085" at the nut, and 0.383mm, or 0.0151" at the 14th fret, which to me is just about flat. It feels flat to me when I play it, no different than my flat fretted 3 string CBGs. It seems to me like it would be a lot of frustrating work with little to gain from it.

Good luck with your build!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Derek Sucharda on April 29, 2019 at 11:16am

I had to read your post a couple time but I think I get it. I was wondering the same thing, especially on a narrow neck. I was originally going to do a 4 string build but I think I am going to do a 3 string build. Not so much because it is easier to build, but because I think it will be easier to play and learn. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cause the Blue rat on April 27, 2019 at 9:21pm

My goal is to make radius fretboards on all my CBGs. Not having a good go at it at the moment. A radius between 12 and 14 matches the curve of your fingers. So it would make chording  easier. Even on a 1.5 inch neck. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bruce Young on April 30, 2019 at 3:43pm

• With a common 1 1/2” wide neck, and lets say three string, (9o+% of cbgs are three stringers) with strings on 1/2” centers, you’re really only playing a string array 1” wide, with 1/4” margins. I think a radiused fretboard is overkill. Just my thinking. If you profile the neck with something resembling a 1/2” radius (router) or soft C profile, reach ought not be difficult. I respect the idea of going to a full on “nice” guitar as a first build, but unless you’re a really talented and accomplished woodworker, I’m thinking you could be in for a lot of sweating, and the potential to screw it up is pretty high with an advanced build as a first.  I’ve been building things all my life, but decided to respect the likely learning curve, and the first five builds have each been better than the last. I’m biting off a big chunk on number six, headless with an experimental tuning head and tailpiece setup, but I wouldn’t have tried that before working my way through five previous builds. Don’t worry, as far as I can tell, nobody builds just one. Settle in, and enjoy the process. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Poorness Studios on May 1, 2019 at 11:42pm

This is really good advice! Well said Bruce.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Derek Sucharda on May 1, 2019 at 3:42am

Thanks Bruce for your thoughts and recommendations. My dad is a wood shop teacher and I have done a lot of woodworking which is one of the reasons I wanted to consider doing this. I am also wanting to us this opportunity of building the cbg as a way of seeing if I want to try and build a real guitar. However, with all that in mind, I have decided to build a 3 string cbg and agree with what most others have shared that it probably isn’t worth the headache. Especially for my first build. Thank you.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bruce Young on May 1, 2019 at 4:43am

A good plan. It’s one of those things where we don’t know what we don’t know until we venture forth. Though I wasn’t a guitar player when I started, and my son was (10 years playing), I had extensive woodworking experience. But in half a dozen builds, I’ve learned a lot about stuff I had no clue were even important. How to manipulate action height and scale length and so on to achieve intonation. How to diagnose and fix buzzing, the makings of good nuts and bridges, pickup selection, placement, etc. you’ll learn about tone woods and designing for acoustics and for strength. It’s a lot more than woodworking, but solid woodworking skills are a huge plus. 

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page