So I'm sort of slogging through my first build with a kit from CB Gitty and as some of you are aware totally trashed my first neck due to ignorance on my part ... but I learned something. Yesterday I cut the notches into the cigar box and did an ace job on that - nice tight fit - nice and square. But still sort of stumbling along reading the little booklet from Gitty and of course reading posts here and watching many videos. But was still bothered by mysteries around getting the action close to right or at least fixable.
I then came across this video about CBG string action
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ3F7-aXMiw
He rambles a bit here and there but the key piece of info is to have your fingerboard ABOVE the top of your cigar box. This is crucial so that your bridge can be high enough to create a decent break angle to back where the strings attach to the end of the neck or the guitar body without needing a bridge so high your action is out of whack. And indeed if I look at the 3 guitars I have: a Strat - an Ibanez - and a Martin all have the fingerboard at least a 1/4" above the body of the guitar. I think this is a pretty huge decision that needs to be made early on in your design .... by sheer luck I cut my slots in the box using only the neck and not the neck and fingerboard. So indeed my finger board will be 1/4" over the top of the box. Yes I have seen many discussions here on and around this topic but this video for me nailed it. Hope it helps someone else.
A related issue is neck angle which he also discuses and I could see if you did have a neck flush with the top of the box adding some neck angle could help to create some string break angle at the bridge. I may add a very slight angle to this build.
Tags:
"I use a wedge of plywood as a temporary bridge and set up the strings to get the most comfortable height. I mark off the point and draw a perpendiculr to the base of the wedge. Then I have the height for the bridge. Simple and easy. Break angle is important, too shallow and the strings will bounce out of the nut. You can add string trees to hold the strings down, they cost a few cents and are common on some brands of cheaper electric guitars.
Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 20. 9 Replies 2 Likes
Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 27. 2 Replies 4 Likes
Started by Ian Boyd. Last reply by Ian Boyd Dec 11, 2023. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers Apr 20, 2023. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Brenda. Last reply by MadGomer Dec 3, 2022. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 14, 2022. 21 Replies 1 Like
Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 3, 2022. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Robert Killen. Last reply by Paul Craig Oct 14, 2022. 23 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Larry Sobol. Last reply by Larry Sobol Oct 1, 2022. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by jon neet. Last reply by Taffy Evans Aug 16, 2022. 6 Replies 1 Like
Started by Doug Laffin. Last reply by Order99 Aug 11, 2022. 4 Replies 1 Like
Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Jul 17, 2022. 14 Replies 1 Like
Started by Roy Smith. Last reply by the anonymous pick May 15, 2022. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Al Lobe. Last reply by BrianQ. May 10, 2022. 18 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans May 6, 2022. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers May 2, 2022. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 23, 2022. 2 Replies 4 Likes
Started by Lionhound. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 18, 2022. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Dec 9, 2021. 18 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Ken Hope. Last reply by Christopher G Daniels Nov 29, 2021. 4 Replies 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!