#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Best way to get fretboard over box top

First build and first post so bear with me as I’ll probably have few questions along the way. I’m using a CBGitty box, burnt laser markings are on the outside on purpose. I’ve wood burned the top and I’m going to distress it so I figured the burned marks will help.

Now to my question. I’ve ordered a premade fretboard and I plan on using some old heart pine as the neck. I’m wanting the fretboard to come over the top of the box a little but not sure how the process needs to go. What would be the best way to go about this?

My thinking is to fix the neck so it’s flush with the top then glue the fretboard on. With this box, the top sits on top of the box, which I’ll screw on blocks I’ll put in the corners so he neck will have to be notched so it comes up even with the top with lid on.

Thanks for any advise.

Troy

0 members like this

Attachments:

F73209D8-9E44-42D3-BC59-0424ABBCB00F.jpeg, 650 KB

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by TROY CLECKLER on February 17, 2018 at 4:24pm

Set the bridge at25-1/2” then used tuner for open note then checked the intonation on 12

Permalink Reply by Richard Dean on February 17, 2018 at 1:38pm

action should be approx .030 at he bottom the string to the first fret, approx 5/64 at the 12th.

sounds like high action, how about some side view pics of string height and a pic of your headstock. break angle at the bridge looks good, but looks like a sharp break heading towards the neck as well, meaning high action.

oh, and nice looking git!!!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by TROY CLECKLER on February 17, 2018 at 1:50pm

Here’s some picks of headstock and side view, 2nd is at the 1st fret.

Attachments:

A217940A-AE26-4A56-AD47-4C22D5EB12ED.jpeg, 71 KB
6B2C864B-8E3A-4D4D-B602-F5384AFB815B.jpeg, 92 KB
FBA829BC-0443-4C82-891F-1DE2D71AED32.jpeg, 58 KB

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Korrigan on February 17, 2018 at 2:45pm

That is a great looking first build Troy, nice job!

It's a matter of taste but for me it would be too low at the nut and too high at the bridge end. You'll have to figure out what works for you.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by TROY CLECKLER on February 17, 2018 at 4:41pm

Yeah, got a lot to figure out. I knew this would be a learning curve build. Being that this is the first one I’ve had my hands on I’m not sure what I’m looking for as far as what’s best for playability. I’ve got to figure out just what that is for me.

I do appreciate the help from you guys though.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richard Dean on February 17, 2018 at 1:57pm

your 3rd pic looks ok for string height, but measurement tells all, measure at the 12th to see what you have, string break looks good, not thrilled with the one tuner string being overlapped, you don't need more than 3 wraps and string shouldn't overlap, it will create a weak point for the string to stretch going out of tune.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by TROY CLECKLER on February 17, 2018 at 4:36pm

So if I’m reading this right, I’m double what I need to be at 12 th fret, 5/32 or 9/64th

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Derek Rose on February 17, 2018 at 6:29pm

It may be OK for slide, but for fretting/chording it should be OK around 7/64" for the bass string and down to 5/64", then a little lower for the treble strings, around 5/64". Better to start higher and then go lower depending on your preference, playing style, string gauge/tension, etc. Keep in mind the bridge will be located a little longer than the 25 1/2" scale to allow for compensation, from stretching of the strings from pressing down to the fingerboard while playing. I usually end up around 1/8" longer on the bass side and around 1/16" longer on the treble side. Great looking build!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Richard Dean on February 17, 2018 at 1:58pm

for posting images instead of jpeg

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Bowes on February 17, 2018 at 11:23pm

Nice looking Guitar and good wood burning, way better than my first attempt.

I do not want to hijack this discussion, but what thickness is best for fretboards, I managed to get some scarp timber/ off cuts a while back which was about 5mm thick, and I have been using this, but I am now running out running out and can only find much thick timber locally, about 8mm or thicker, is this too thick?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by TROY CLECKLER on February 18, 2018 at 2:22am

It’s almost like you guys sorta now what you’re talking about : )

I cut the bridge down and got the string hight to right at 5/64 on low string, angled the bridge and checked the intonation and it’s good.

It frets well but not sure about the slide yet. Never played slide and the socket seems heavy and it don’t fit my finger. I need to get a proper slide and work on it.

Got some work to do on it yet, not sure what I want to do on the headstock, leave it or put some sort of cut on it. In keeping with the theme I might rough it up a little. Got to finish sanding the neck and seal it and oil the fretboard, plan on using danish oil for that get a cover under sound hole and put the electronics in.

Thanks for the help and I’ll post some pics when it’s complete.