Another Newbie question (boring probably)

[Ronny]

Hi Guys,

I am 60, never played an instrument, cannot "read" music...

BUT I will build a cbg around a nice little box I have, 9.5 x 6 x1.7 inch (approx. I live in a "metric" country).

I did read that such a small box is not ideal but also not a problem on its own and can be made in a CBG.

I would start out with fret-less and also without piezo/mag pickup. So really something to simply learn to play on that thing.

What I am a little confused about is the length between the bridge and nut. If I use the "standard" (-+ 25"?) will my contraption with small box not be to awkward or sound silly?

If I make it say 21 or 22" will I be able to tune it to GdG and learn actually something or would I have to tune (and use special string) for that shorter neck? Or another key maybe?

Thank and sorry if this is the millionth time this question has been asked.

Ronny

[Ronny]

It took a while but I did start on my CBG about a week ago.

(I am in the middle of relocating to another house but I try to keep this thing going).

Since the neck will be straight (no scarfing or cutting), I will lead the strings to the underside of the neck and mount the tuners upside down. I did put metal bushing into the small holes to lead the strings to the underside of the neck, that should take care of unwanted and fast detuning.

I think I have the holes for the tuner a bit wrong, the first hole will have to be the middle string...

And as you will see in the pics, I have very few tools.

The neck will stop inside the box.

I also carved out about 5mm from the top of the neck inside the box so that the cover can vibrate as freely as possible.

I left about 1" in front and in the back (I mean, 1 inch of the lid stays in contact with the neck in the front and 1 inch of the lid stays in contact with the the neck in the back.  Can I reduce this further so that the lid is even more free to vibrate?

I will fix the neck with screws to the underside of the box. This will give me the possibility to swap or adapt the neck if it doesn't work out at all.

More to follow

Ronny

[Ronny]

And here 3 more pics.