String Action for Cigar Box Guitars
Вставка
- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- A primer on setting up string height with special consideration for CBG builders. It covers
00:00 Principles of string 'action'
04:39 Amplitude & string height
07:03 Measuring string height
12:05 Setting up/Adjusting various types of bridge-saddles
NOTE:
I forgot to put the short suggestion for slide action mentioned at the beginning, but I'm working on a video covering action specifically for slide and I'll post the link here when it's up. Until then, I add 1/32" to 1/16" in addition to the standard height described here (and nearly everywhere else). This helps avoid knocking the slide against the edge of the fingerboard or frets without being too high to wrap your hand around the neck and still use the slide comfortably. If you have a fretless fingerboard, remember to add the height of a fret to your overall action. Medium size frets have about a 1/32" crown height over the surface of the board.
DISCLAIMER: Pain meds may or may not have influenced the outcome of this video ;-)
Metric conversion (though seriously... :-) ):
1/32" = 0.793 mm
1/16" = 1.587 mm
5/64" = 1.984 mm
3/32" = 2.381 mm
Here's a link to suggestions for setting string height for slide playing:
• Slide Set-Up for Cigar...
Check out this video on setting the intonation on a hardtail bridge with adjustable saddles:
• Hardtail Bridge Set-up...
Thanks for watching!
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I know this video has been out for a while but I personally want to thank you for sharing all of your information it will help me as a builder
That's everything I hoped it would do, so thanks!
I’m new to CBG’s credibly helpful thank you.
wow, you gave so much information, it just to show how professional people really know their craft!
Thank you Matthew! I'm putting up a video specifically for slide set-up this week in case that helps.
This is super useful information and very well presented. Thank you. After building and having played my first CBG for a while now, I have started to notice the flaws in my fretting and action. I just finished a comprehensive frett leveling job and that did wonders for my CBG's playability. Now, I was looking to understand a bit more about setting the action, and this was just perfect. You definitely brought the geometry of it all home for me. Also, before, I wasn't guite sure how back angle plays in; I have about 1.5 deg. But now, after a quick sketch myself, I see it doesn't matter. What matters is the relative height between the nut and the saddle. More back angle just means a taller bridge/saddle. I think that's correct. Cheers and thanks again.
Well aren't ya kind! Thanks. You're on track with back angle theoretically, but in practical terms a larger back angle necessitates a taller bridge than would be stable and then messes up the height to the nut. I always start every new build with a plan drawing - unless it's a carbon copy instrument - and the key is to start drawing your plan with the STRING. It will blow your mind and accelerate your learning, understanding, and knowledge of guitar geometry and performance dynamics. You also have to remember that a larger back angle puts the strings higher and higher over the body/box, and any traditionally placed sound hole you might have, which brings a diminishing point of returns on amplitude and string vibration frequency setting up the Soundwave that pump down and back up from the body. Think of a singer's.distance from a microphone. There's a sweet spot depending on a whole bunch of things such as string material and gauge/weight and body material - wood or otherwise. 1.5 to 2 degrees is optimal. You can do some really simple tests with a one-steing instrument and increasing/decreasing the angle. So, the learning never really ends my friend :-)
@roughcutguitars Right on, thanks for the great response. That makes so much sense. I'm actually a retired Mechanical Engineer, lol, but never really applied it to a guitar. The choice to use a slight back angle in my first build came as recommended by Mr. Puckett. I like it cause it provides a bit extra finger pickin room. My next build will be a solid body in the Snowden style. Thanks again for all the helpful feedback.
Best explanation! Thanks!
Great video/very clear and informative!!!
Thank you My biggest problem is the neck angel. this makes the strings to high, bolt on necks are tricky, A solid through the box type neck is easier to set.
That's all part of experience.
Skill = Research/knowledge + foresight + practice.
Top tip: Start planning/ designing your builds with the string - including target neck angle and work out from there with the parts you're thinking about using. That way, you know what you're in for.
Angle gets way more out of string amplitude and that translates into resonance and volume.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Best of luck!
I have gotten a lot better with pre fitting and adjusting as needed. I just re-set one of my bolt on necks now the strings are more parallel with neck. Thanks for the information.@@roughcutguitars