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Latest Activity: May 11

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Bridge Mystery

Started by Jim Kasmir. Last reply by Randy S. Bretz May 11. 8 Replies 0 Likes

On a lot of the builds I see here, a small metal rod is used as a bridge , usually floating atop a piece of wood. I've been looking for a similar small rod to use on my own builds, but so far have…Continue

Missing note?

Started by PJ Pilkington. Last reply by PJ Pilkington May 5. 5 Replies 0 Likes

Hi, I built a second cbg and fretted it. Well the frets didn't seat in properly and so I decided to go fretless. So I easily took the frets out, filled the slots, resanded the fret board. But I…Continue

positioning of the bridge?

Started by PJ Pilkington. Last reply by PJ Pilkington Apr 14. 2 Replies 0 Likes

HI my cbg seems a little sharp at the 12 fret and I know I read somewhere to move the bridge. Do I move it forward or backwards?ThanksPJContinue

Lowe Cone thru Neck

Started by c# merle. Last reply by c# merle Apr 12. 7 Replies 0 Likes

An easy way to fit a lowe cone ( or any reso cone) with a modified thru neck.1, glue in a hardwood strip firmly onto the bottom of the box…Continue

Tags: cone, reso, neck, through, modified

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Comment by PJ Pilkington on April 26, 2013 at 5:50pm: I was using a small precision hack saw. I have a coping saw but it doesn't work well. I bought a fret saw and it has arrived. So I guess I will try one more time.

PJ

Comment by Ted Crocker on April 25, 2013 at 10:53pm: What are you using for a fret saw? Maybe the kerf is too wide. I haven't had a problem with curved wire.

Comment by PJ Pilkington on April 25, 2013 at 8:03pm: I wish among all the video's etc. that you find upon researching that someone would have said not to use curved fret wire!! I have learned a lesson twice and now more confused than ever. And a few dollars poorer! It is NOT as easy as they show! Anyway... I will keep trying!

PJ

Comment by PJ Pilkington on April 23, 2013 at 5:53pm: Thanks to you all!! I will keep working on it.

PJ

Comment by Frank Tennyson on April 23, 2013 at 11:04am: PJ most do not use any curvature on 3 or 4-stringed fretboards. However if you look at any manufactured instrument coming from a factory you will find some curvature. Finger Barring the last two strings on a 3-stringer on a flat fretboard often is difficult for some, but barring the strings on a slightly curved fretboard is easier. Ergonamics!

Either glue and then clamp flat the fret wire for a flat fretboard and wire or put a slight curver to the fret board using any old mfg'ed guitar for reference.

Comment by jim on April 21, 2013 at 7:31pm: PJ, some folks use a small amount of super glue in the slot and then clamp the neck down flat on a table.

Comment by PJ Pilkington on April 21, 2013 at 1:12pm: On a my first two builds the fret wire I bought has a slight curve to it. When I pounded them in they still seem to hump in the middle. Should I try and get flat fret wire? Any help would be appreciated.

PJ

Comment by Mike S on April 18, 2013 at 7:07pm: RE: What Wood? My main preference for necks is mahogany. A single strip of 45-50mm X 20mm for a cbg type build where you dont have to cut a pickup in ie piezo. Full electrics get 2 35-40mm X 20 strips laminated together with join on the string side. Very strong! I usually source the timber from bed heads or old furniture brought very cheaply online. I like to finish with either Danish Oil or raw linseed, 3-5 coats of either. Had good results with English Oak in the same dimentions, but it's much harder than mahogany. Tone-wise I think Mahogany has the edge, but given the variables that go into a hand made instrument, I suspect it's a case of 'follow your bliss'.:-)

Comment by PJ Pilkington on April 13, 2013 at 8:55am: Ok I know this is here somewhere but I can't seem to find it. When the 12 fret is sharp do you move the bridge up the neck or back on the neck?

Thanks

PJ

Comment by Robert De Haemers on April 9, 2013 at 9:49am: my 3rd build{pic} has an red oak neck. and it does sustain, Listen to my song,posted "Statesboro Blues" that last note sustains forever. as a slide player i like that. am soaking up everything, info. wise. am probably going to try a 4- string fretted reso build down the road apiece. The big issue i see now is the neck to the body, the strength comes from the one piece all the way through, when you add the reso cone , aren't you affecting that?