When I built my first CBG it was fretless and I enjoyed the process of, at least, getting a reasonable tune out of it. I have since built a fretted version but I’m having trouble getting to grips with it. My problem is that I have very small, arthritic hands and I have problems with some of the chords. I cannot possibly, for example, fret a 2nd and 5th fret at the same time, thus limiting my progress. Is there anyone in a similar situation who could advise me?
Tags:
Try a shorter scale. The frets will be a bit closer together.
What width & thickness neck are you using? Is it a fully carved neck or are the corners just rounded off?
I had considered that. My necks are 35mm x 25mm and I use a router to round the back edges.
Hi, well as one old timer to another I play mostly three cord songs or songs that do not require demanding cords. Mainly because I’m too lazy to learn them. I also mix chord playing with single string notes or play just part of the chord.
That’s why I play the blues. The same song on a six string with 4-5 chords I can get away with using three shaped chords and single strings.
Good luck Taff
Thank you for the encouragement Taffy.
" My necks are 35mm x 25mm and I use a router to round the back edges"
I much prefer a fully carved C shape neck, so that it feels like a regular guitar neck.
Try carving a piece of pine to a C shape. Make it the same 35x25 dimensions & draw fret lines on it. Now just practice your difficult cords on that stick o' pine & see if a full carve is more comfortable.
Make your fret lines removeable (mark on masking tape perhaps) & you can try out shorter scales.
I cut a piece of pine to neck dimensions that simulated an added fretboard. I left a section of it non-carved, a section with rounded edges, & a section that was a full carve. Confirmed my suspicions. Carved neck for me.
Sound advice, thank you. However, would carving more wood off the neck potentially weaken it?
Depends on number of strings, scale length, tunings, wood choices, etc. Should not be a problem with a 3 or 4 string CBG unless too soft neck wood. A glued on fretboard also adds strength.
I have a fully carved 24" scale Poplar neck with Red Oak fretboard strung with .056, .044, & .032 strings tuned to EBE. Zero issues.
Hi again, try a capo and still tune as normal. A piece of dowel and an elastic band around the back would do it to try it out. Play where the frets are closer.
Taff
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods 6 hours ago. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray on Monday. 6 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Carl Floyd Mar 1. 15 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Joe in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Carl Floyd Feb 29. 13 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Chance in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 22. 12 Replies 1 Like
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies 4 Likes
Started by Brad in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 19. 6 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Jacob Shook in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 16. 10 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 16. 2 Replies 0 Likes
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 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!