I just built my first CBG a couple weeks ago and kinda cheated a bit since i used a bolt on neck from an electric guitar. I'm pretty proud of it and it looks and plays great but I want to build a more traditional 3 string now. I clicked on the "Free Plans" link on the home page and then selected the link "How to build a 3-string cigar box guitar." The plan calls for a 3 ft long 1X2 (Poplar) I purchased a 6 ft 1X2 with the hopes of making 2 necks but after getting it home and checking out the lumber I noticed it was pretty flexible! Has anyone made a build following these plans and used poplar? I'm a little wet behind the ears when it comes to woodworking but I'm no rookie to guitars and know that there's a lot of stress on the neck once a guitar is strung up and tuned. Should I proceed with trying to shape a neck from poplar or save it for a different project and find a different wood to make a neck from?
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Also there is not a huge selection of lumber in my town, Red Oak is probably the hardest wood available at the local Lowe's or Home Depot.
Poplar works fine for me. Cut it in half, it won't feel so flexible then.
I just read what Oily posted. I do use a red oak fret board on my poplar necks. Build with what you have. Use electric guitar 9's and it won't bow.
Thanks for the replies :) This one is gonna be a fretless 3 string for slide tuned to DGD with an overal length of 36" so no fingerboard will be needed. Should probably go with the oak instead. I've got some crazy ideas for this build now that I've got the basics down so oak will probably a better choice since I'm gonna put a lot more time and effort into it! It's gonna be a tribute guitar designed after the guitarist that inspired me to play guitar when i was a kid so there will be extra pieces added to the cigar box to make it resemble his guitar!
Hey Jason. Take that poplar, and do a scarf joint with it. Take all the time necessary to do the joint right. After the joint is done, build a guitar that takes less than three hours to build. It can be done quite easily, and you won't be spending a lot of time on it. Chances are, this guitar will play and sound great and you will learn quite a bit. Plus it never hurts to have a scarf joint under your belt before you work on your "real" guitar.
I'm new to this. How will a scarf joint keep the poplar from bowing over time? I'm thinking one solid piece of harder wood with no joints would hold up better
poplar is fine to use. ive used poplar alot and none of my guitars have ever bowed .
but , like tapping fruit .. you should check the piece you are getting for straightness and flex before you buy . . like jeff says .. "not all trees are alike "
i picked up a piece at home depot once , and id swear it was rubber .
you gotta pick out the good ones .
canada seems to get the better quality poplar ,, not like the mostly greenish stuff you see in the states alot .
as you say this is for a fretless slide .. so it shouldnt matter much at all .
i would opt for oak if it was fretted or more than 3 strings . or a bass .
poplar is fine for what you want ,, and wont be neck heavy either .
but pick a good piece .
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