This group is for discussing the basics of CBG building for newer builders - where to start, what to do, common pitfalls, tips and techniques.
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Hi
Action height. Where/how do you measure it? What should it be?
Fretted fret board, strumming, no slide. Now looking at a 23" scale.
Hi again, you may find that the guitar has had compensation added to correct intonation, but the scale is from front edge of a nut to the centre of the saddle. If the saddle has crown on it. If not to the front of the saddle. Hope this makes sense.
Taff
Hi Taffy
Thank you for the photo, it provides a lot of thinking ideas.
Another item on my list is fret placement. I have a fret spacing calculator based on the rule of 17.817. When I compare the fret spacings from the calculator with a junk acoustic guitar I'm using for parts, it appears that the measurement is to the bridge edge of the fret and not the crown. Is this normal?
I'm starting the measurement from the fret board side of the nut.
The between fret spacings from the calculator are correct for the junk guitar with it's 25.5" scale.
Hey Murray, here’s some reading on string selection:
https://www.cigarboxguitar.com/knowledge-base/how-to-pick-the-right...
Hi, a bit more info for you that you may wish to consider.
In my experience, shorter scale lengths will lessen the tension of the strings on the neck, so the strings you choose may have to be of a heavier gauge for good playability, especially if using a slide.
I prefer a 25” scale on my CBGs, for one thing, it puts the bridge where I like it on the box. As the 3-4-string necks are narrow, mine are 30mm, I go for a square section neck at 25mm deep including the fretboard, with a 7mm radius round over on the back so it’s comfortable. Anyway, only a thumb touches the back of the neck so I’m not too fussed about neck contour, leaves more wood in the neck.
In the photo is a pine neck with hardwood reinforcement [just showing at end of the fretboard, 2 years strung up and as flat as day one.
Cheers Taff
I like to use shorter scale lengths (20”-23”)for softer woods, bowing will be minimal. The scale length that Shane made the default is 23”? Neck warping usually happens when it’s tuned above normal playing tension, especially with longer scale instruments without a hardwood fretboard? You’ll find that a hardwood fretboard goes a long way?
@Murray Wall
You don't mention many factors that would affect the answer, as far as need. The largest fact probably being the number of strings.
Grain perpedicular to the fingerboard, such as illustrated by @Taffy Evans certainly improves stiffness in the desired manner, as would the mentioned lamination or separate fretboard.
But in the end, since most CBG's are three or four strings and short scale- the issue is usually not nearly as critical as some seem to think.
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