Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on March 1, 2011 at 2:59am

Don't know that there _is_ a perfect spacing. At minimum, a spacing that prevents your fingers from buzzing the other strings -- depending on your finger size.

 

I think most of us here have our 'formula' which is mostly based on what looks right.

 

-WY

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on March 1, 2011 at 5:30am

I make mine 1/2" spacing, I think most are less than this, but I have had no complaints from buyers or players of my instruments.

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Permalink Reply by jason fitzgibbons on March 1, 2011 at 10:48am

yep 1/2" is the way to go

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Permalink Reply by Glaze on March 1, 2011 at 1:07pm

I ask because I was thinking of buying a pickup from JUJU and he offers different string spacings on his three string pickups.  I will sort of be building my first CBG around the pickup and the magnet spacing on the pickup.

 

So several of you guy's are running the three strings spaced at 1/2" apart for a total of  1  1/2" total width measuring all three strings.  Your necks are 1 3/4" wide?   

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on March 2, 2011 at 2:27am

You know, I never really measured (I eyeball what I think looks right) But I have to agree, 1/2" is pretty common. My last few 3-string boxes have about 1/2" spacing.

 

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Glaze on March 2, 2011 at 2:30am

Thanks Kevin.  Seems like that would be comfortable to play.   

Kevin O'Connor said:

No, it doesn't really work out that way. My necks range slightly from 1 1/2" to 1 9/16". The middle string goes right in the middle at 3/4" from either side, then each string goes 1/2" either side leaving about a quarter inch from the side. When rounded off a bit for comfort, the top and bottom strings almost appear right on the edge.

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on March 2, 2011 at 2:46am

Keep in mind the length of the slide you want to play too.  If you use a stubby slide, you don't want one of the strings falling off the edge all the time.  If you're using a bottle neck, then it isn't so big of a concern.

 

Part of the beauty of using threaded material for a bridge and nut is an almost endless choice of string spacing.

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on March 2, 2011 at 3:30am

3 strings spaced 1/2 apart would be 1" total width for all 3 strings. 4 strings would be 1 1/2".  My necks are 1 3/4" wide, I like the fit.

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on March 2, 2011 at 3:41am

Goooood point!

 

-WY
E D said:

Keep in mind the length of the slide you want to play too.  If you use a stubby slide, you don't want one of the strings falling off the edge all the time.  If you're using a bottle neck, then it isn't so big of a concern.

 

Part of the beauty of using threaded material for a bridge and nut is an almost endless choice of string spacing.

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on March 2, 2011 at 10:09am

i did the most radical taper ever on my last two (3 pair banjos) resulting in a huge 18mm (3/4 inch) spacing at the bridge, down to 12mm (1/2) in at the nut.  The more instruments i make,the more i see how important a big taper to the neck is..

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Permalink Reply by Glaze on March 2, 2011 at 11:25am

E D

 

With different tunings it would be a good idea to leave more room from the string to the edge of the fretboard so the string is not pulled off of the edge of the fretboard like you suggest.  I like the tone other builders get with threaded bolts and it's a good point that you can change the string spacing.   

E D said:

Keep in mind the length of the slide you want to play too.  If you use a stubby slide, you don't want one of the strings falling off the edge all the time.  If you're using a bottle neck, then it isn't so big of a concern.

 

Part of the beauty of using threaded material for a bridge and nut is an almost endless choice of string spacing.

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Permalink Reply by Glaze on March 2, 2011 at 11:31am

MichaelS

 

Your necks probably are not moving much if at all under the string tension on a three stringer with a 1 3/4" wide neck?  Sounds like a very stable neck to me.  

MichaelS Country Boy Guitars said:

3 strings spaced 1/2 apart would be 1" total width for all 3 strings. 4 strings would be 1 1/2".  My necks are 1 3/4" wide, I like the fit.

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