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The neck wood.....is there really that thin?

I'm gathering material for my very first CB guitar build. I have one ask, so 1x 3 oak really the right size for a 3 stringer? It just seems to be thin for a neck. I've never actually seen a CBG in person so I'm having a hard time accepting that 1 inch lumber is robust enough to handle the string tension. A second question I have is has anyone ever tried steaming the neck wood and putting a slight back bend in it to compensate for string tension?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by QGolden on November 22, 2016 at 4:34pm

Hello and Welcome!

Actually 1x3 is a bit wide, 1"x2" is common. Some folks prefer a wider neck, but 1"x3" for a 3 string is pretty wide, that would leave more than 3/4 of an inch between strings. Hardwood from a big box store will handle it.

Interesting thought on the steaming, I have never run into it. That being said, finding straight stock at a big box store can be a challenge. A friend with a Jointer would be a friend indeed.

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on November 22, 2016 at 5:14pm

I have used 1x2 oak with a 1/4x 2 oak fingerboard on most of my builds, but also used 1x2 Poplar with a 1/4x2 oak fingerboard and even a 1x2 pine with the 1/4x2 oak fingerboard with no problems with warping or keeping tune. These have all used the .044" Bronze Wound (Low G) .034" Bronze Wound (Middle D) and .026" Bronze Wound (Middle G) strings. The strings stay in tune and the boxes don't seem to warp. As Wayfinder said the lamination of the neck and fingerboard creates a very strong unit.

Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on November 22, 2016 at 6:41pm

1x2 is really 3/4"x1-1/2" ... I wouldn't use poplar, but Oak, Walnut, Maple are all good... with or without a fretboard...

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on November 22, 2016 at 7:48pm

True, the 1x2 neck with a 1/4x2 fingerboard actually measures 1x 1 3/4 when you get it together.. The measuring system for wood is a bit weird.

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on December 2, 2016 at 11:43am

I used some poplar with greenish swirls for fret boards and they came out pretty fancy looking. I used them for fretless CBGs as I wouldn't trust them to hold frets.

Permalink Reply by Scavanged Sound (Pete) on November 23, 2016 at 12:27am

Thanks guys. I guess the 1x3 sounds a little big. But that means I can make a cool looking headstock and I'll shave the rest of the neck down. I wasn't going to do a separate fret board on my first build but sounds like it would be better if I did. Next question. Reusing frets and fretboard off salvaged guitars. A viable option?

Permalink Reply by MadGomer on November 23, 2016 at 1:55am

Agree with the previous posts. I made my first two with maple 1X2 through-necks, fretted, and both bowed badly. Able to recover them by reinforcing the necks with another piece on the back side, but unless you just want a fretless slide guitar, you will need more strength than a 1x2 alone can provide. Welcome to the addiction!

Permalink Reply by Scavanged Sound (Pete) on November 24, 2016 at 2:47am

The more I've been thinking about it the more I think that if you fret just a 1x2 you will end up with the bowing. Adding a fretboard on top as Wayfinder and others have said will strengthen the neck a lot. I'm definitely going to add a fret board. Now I just need to learn how to play a 3 stringer

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on December 2, 2016 at 11:46am

problem might have been that they were already slightly bowed and with string tension the problem got worse. I have maple neck CBGs that have been under tension for 8+ years with no trouble.

Permalink Reply by J.D. on November 23, 2016 at 3:19am

Yeah ,,I wasn't satisfied w the thin neck I came out with. Just seems too thin. "I used a piece of 1×2 poplar." fills really different after being used to a 6 string or an acoustic 6 string neck ,but still trying to figure Out how to get my necks looking and filling like other guitar necks that I have grown used to.

Permalink Reply by J.D. on November 23, 2016 at 3:26am

I have seen some really nice looking necks on here though. I've run across some really nice "hand made" 6 string necks "truss rod and all." I have seen some nice 3&4 string necks aswell!

Permalink Reply by Jonathan on November 23, 2016 at 3:37am

Not to Hijack the thread but i'm also building my first CBG, I have a maple 1x2 for my neck, I have planned to reinforce it inside the box and at the base of the neck. (The plan is to have 3 strings in open G) Should bowing be an issue? Most of the video's I've watched haven't added the fingerboard but after reading this thread i'm a bit concerned about the prospects of my new toy bowing after its finished.