I have been lurking here for a month or so, reading and trying to learn abt building CBGs I have collected a few boxes and am about ready to build a couple 3 string guitars. My question is the amount of FRETs how many are needed? I see some people on YouTube who actually know how to play using CBGs with fewer FRETs 14 - 16 instead of 21 or so. I plan on tuning to open G or D, as I know next to nothing about playing a Guitar.
With fewer FRETs or shorter FRET board is the instrument not called a guitar any more maybe a Dulcimer, Ukulele or some other name?
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Thanks for the reply's, I have started gluing and cutting up pieces of walnut, cherry, and ash.
For your first build you may want to consider no frets - Build it fretless, & burn them on with a soldering iron. Makes building and slide playing easier.
Dulcimer fret spacing may be a good way to go for your first since they are really easy to get satisfying music out of not having any "wrong" notes. Also means you have fewer frets to install and dress.
Yep , you would likely not play much beyond 14 frets or so. It will really depend on the scale length you are going to use and how you lay out the bridge position etc. I usually end up with about 21 but in reality if I'm that far up the neck I'm prob. playing slide anyway and don't need any frets. More important is having the frets in the right places!
I usually put btwn 12 and 16 ( depending on neck lenght). since I play slide most of the time, I don't see the need for more. I kind of like the " empty" look as well.
you'll probably not go above 16 or so frets ,but put on as many as you like , keep your scale length about 23 - 23.5 . a dulcimer just leaves out the 'black notes' put simply..anyway you'll get the idea.good luck with it, have fun...