Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MadGomer on October 25, 2017 at 2:54am

Bolt size isn't as critical by itself as is controlling the action height you're after. Depending on how your nut and bridge are mounted, you can play around with cutting grooves or filing down the hardware to lower the action rather than switching to a smaller bolt, or perhaps both. Don't be afraid to experiment a bit, that's where the best learning happens. Good luck, post a picture as you get into it!

Permalink Reply by Holly Hodson on October 25, 2017 at 3:03am

Cool, thanks!

Permalink Reply by 3qt17g550yh6r on October 25, 2017 at 4:09am

Hey Holly,
I am by no means an expert. My first build was just ok. I learned a TON from it and still have it. One thing I learned was that a zero fret was a super easy way to get you string height correct. If you can get some jumbo frets use this as the bridge. About 1/16 of an inch behind it place your bolt. It needs to be lower than the zero fret. It will hold your strings in the right place. Your string height will be right at the nut. Now you need the string height to be around 2 mm or 3 mm at the 12th fret. Chickenbone John has a super video about string height. Search YouTube for Chickenbone John then click on his name and look for that video. I learned a lot from him on my number 3.

Permalink Reply by Holly Hodson on October 25, 2017 at 4:58am

I think i found the vid you suggested, it was very helpful. But in it he plays with his fingers on a fretless and plays right on the fret line - is that normal? Are the markers for fretless different to fretted?

Permalink Reply by 3qt17g550yh6r on October 25, 2017 at 6:12am

When you have a fretted guitar your finger presses behind the fret. when you play a fretless guitar or use a slide your finger becomes the fret and it has to be on the line to make the correct note ( not sharp or flat). Madgomer has given you some sound advice. Believe me on your first one you will make some mistakes. I am the research queen and I made a ton of mistakes on my first one. But what I learned from making those mistakes was invaluable. My advise to you is make one. It takes 2 or 3 sometimes 4 before you get it perfect.. It's a journey, take that first step.....build one. If it plays even poorly you are successful. You got this and you are surrounded by people cheering you on. Go for it.

Permalink Reply by Holly Hodson on October 25, 2017 at 6:30am

Good to know, thank you :)

Fortunately I'm well prepared for mistakes - the last thing I built (I was maybe, 15) was so bad no matter what I do it will ever be as shoddy!

Permalink Reply by 3qt17g550yh6r on October 25, 2017 at 7:38am

I bet it wasn't that bad LOL You sound like you could kick butt in the shop. I am looking forward to seeing it!

Permalink Reply by Holly Hodson on October 25, 2017 at 8:44am

Well I passed my gcse with it, but i assure you it was bad...nails sticking out all over, weird fur matted with black paint xD

That said I was making that up as i went along and i have instructions for this so i'm a bit more confident...