Cigar Box Guitar basic fretting

[Cdabomm326]

Would you be able to make a ruler from something that doesn't have the exact same length neck?

[bigdaddysmojo]

@Cdabomm326 sure!! I sold them, the proper spacing is the key. still have a few laying around!!

[bemuzic]

I have just got the same fret saw. I 've got some medium fretwire but when I hammer it in it's very loose. I don't want to glue the frets in as I 've heard you shouldn't need to do that (and it fiddly!!)...any suggestions?? I found the fretfitter which crimps the tang to make it wider but that's EXPENSIVE!

[bigdaddysmojo]

@bemuzic the reason they are loose is your saw is not staying 90 degrees to the fret board. with each stroke of the saw you are likely going a degree or to one direction on one, and the the other direction on the opposite stroke. the square I use keeps me straight across the neck , but then the heel of it helps keep me at 90 degrees. I had the same issue.. and eventually I bought the fretting table saw blade, my hand saw doesn't see much action now. as for the glue use it if its loose!!

[bemuzic]

@bigdaddysmojo thanks for that, I've ordered a set square : -)

[bigdaddysmojo]

@bemuzic that should help!! I dont know if you have one but a scroll saw makes for easy fret slotting as well I have a video somewhere in all of mine showing that!! watched some of you video's your really good!! have you got a table saw?? have you tried doing a scarf joint neck yet?? it make necks Soooo much easier and open you up to lots of cool headstock options, I think I have a video for that too... would have to look though . have fun build often!!

[bemuzic]

@bigdaddysmojo no I don't have a scroll saw, or table saw and haven't attempted a scarf joint. I've only made a few simple builds and don't have many tools yet. I'm just buying what I need as I need them. Thanks for checking out my channel. I'll take a look and see if I can find the videos you've mentioned : -)

[bigdaddysmojo]

@bemuzic well thats what I did, as I built I would say when I sell this one it's buying _______ and it took a while but I eventually had most everything you could need and lot's of junk ya don't ! the scarf joint is sonething I shyed from at first thinking it was mysterious and scary.. but once I started, oh my how things got easier!! kinda like fretting, was afraid of that at first too!! cheers happy building

[bemuzic]

@bigdaddysmojo ha yeah it's weird how mysterious things are before you do them.I felt the same about magnetic pick ups, until I did one, then realised is was no more complicated to wire up than a piezo!! The fretting thing is starting to feel less scary. My set square arrived today and I've bee practising on an off cut. It all works brilliantly now. The fret goes in nice and tight. THANKS for your help : -)

[philjit1]

hey fella , help, i have a few feet of old thin fret wire for banjo dulcimer, etc .am makin a cbg, but i have no idea what to use to cut the fret slots , or how deep ,im sure they will have to be cut very thin and shallow . any help would be great .. Phil

[jbholland2]

Great video, very helpful!

[siamesemojo]

Thankyou so much this! Great video!

[wyldefan716]

Hey!! if  you're careful, can you just use a coping saw or a Japanese saw?? nice video by the way!!

[bigdaddysmojo]

@wyldefan716 yes, I would do some test cuts in scrap to see how they fit before cutting the neck. I also use a scroll saw!! there is another video in my videos for that. if you have a caliper or micrometer you can measure the blade and check it as well. fret wire is typically .022

thanks for watching

[talc89a]

@bigdaddysmojo my son and i use a coping saw, it works well, but it depends on what fret size you use, i use medium fretwire

[bigdaddysmojo]

@talc89a I typically use a medium or a narrow.... most all stew macs wire is a .022 and if the blade will work for one size it will fit most of them... keeps things simple!!

[zthetha]

This is the most enabling clip on Youtube that I have yet seen. I wish every 'expert' tutorial was as honest and helpful. This guy should think about teaching - he is superb.

[bigdaddysmojo]

@zthetha Thanks, thats quite a complement, I am trying to share what I know... sometimes showing is the easiest way to do that.

[zthetha]

@bigdaddysmojo Oh yes - and you're doing a great job of it. Look forward to enjoying more vids in the future.

[bigdaddysmojo]

fret wire is abundant, I get mine from Stewart Macdonald, and I do sell it on my back porch mojo website. most guitars have between 17-22 frets...

thanks for watching

[funkyearings7]

awesome video, but i was wondering where you can get the fretting wires at? and how may do i need? is 19 frets too much??

[19VanHalen84]

Nice vid, I just bought a fretboard and some frets. Also, I've heard somewhere people often glue the frets in? Is this necessary?

[bigdaddysmojo]

@19VanHalen84 the glue is only needed if your fret slots are cut too wide. if cut properly they should be nice and tight!! Thanks for watching!!

[TheLonersManual]

It does not look like you are cutting too deeply ( as I would expect). About how deep are you cutting? Just deep enough to make a slight groove?

[bigdaddysmojo]

@TheLonersManual there is a depth for fret wire, each is a bit different, without measuring I would guestimate it at about 1/8" 3/32 maybe?? I always eyeball it!!

[nomorejournos]

crafty, Thanks for the info.

[chickenpoper]

hey dude i built a crappy one b4 now im gonna make a electric way better one that actually looks good

[2bLooker]

Snapping Awesome!!

[pmarkey11]

Can you use tie wire insted if fretting wire?

[bigdaddysmojo]

@pmarkey11 you could!! but fretting is too easy getting tie wire flat even consistant... you work harder to do it that way!! got a scroll saw?? I have a video on here showing how to use one to cut your slots!! easy peasy!!

[whereveriroam]

nice video, been thinking about making a fretless cigar box guitar but this may have swayed me to attempt frets!

[bigdaddysmojo]

@whereveriroam Thanks!! fretting is easy.. most people discover that fretless is limiting... and they wish they had frets... I say go for it!!

[Jewishcanadian]

Is fret spacing affected by scale length (bridge to nut), or is the spacing the same from the nut back regardless of overall length? Also, should the bridge be fixed or left floating like with a mandolin? I built my first CBG a few years back with no idea of the "proper" method and though it came out fairly decent for a first attempt and pretty close in appearence to other's I've seen since, I want my next build to be fretted and overall a better playing instrument.

[bigdaddysmojo]

@Jewishcanadian fret spacing is determined by scale length. you can do the bridge either way... I usually let mine float a slight change in angle can help get the intonation right on!! I sell a spacing ruler on my website.. a great time saver you can also use a scale lenth calculator on Stew, macs website. the scale length is critical to making an instrument sound right!! 

[mitchelldog4]

Do the frets ever fall out or move out of place? Doing some of these for a senior project and maybe for a side job in the summer, can't wait to get started, and how much (on average) do you get for these guitars? Thanks

[bigdaddysmojo]

@mitchelldog4 they should not fall out if the slots are cut right. if they would be cut to wide or loose, a little superglue in the slot will hold them in. guitar prices range from about $85.00 up to about $350 depending on what it is.. take a look at my website that will help backporchmojo . com Thanks!!

[bluesdog88]

Great video bigdaddy, I just had a big sigh of relief...you make it look easy ;)

[bigdaddysmojo]

@bluesdog88 it's really not that hard. takes a few times to be really comfortable with it, but not hard at all!!

[bluesdog88]

@bigdaddysmojo Do you ever radius your fretboards? Been reading about it and I saw some tools on the stew mac sit, bit it seems that would be going overboard.

[bigdaddysmojo]

@bluesdog88 I have done a couple!! I have one radius block, and don't plan to do too much of it, most of what I do is play slide which is best on a flat neck. but occasionally I like some string bending, and I do some 5 and 6 string stuff, so it's a skill I want to learn. I usually just buy a pre radiused fingerboard, but am a I can do it guy.. so I have been doing a few to say I can!!

[Dimeshit666]

what about the keys ?

[bigdaddysmojo]

@Dimeshit666  the keys??

[neptunedarling]

hey big daddy! love your guitars! how much would it be to get all the tools together to make one of these guys?

[bigdaddysmojo]

@neptunedarling well, that's a tricky question!! because you can get a CBG built with minimal tools, however the more tools you have the easier some jobs get!!

minimally you would need: a box knife,a coping saw, a drill, and a pair of side cut pliers, a hammer, and a file.

optimal additions:: a bandsaw, a table saw, a router, a drill, drill press,fret saw, a scroll saw,and a plam sander. I could ad a dozen more specialty things but you get the idea. I do sell guitar kits!!

[pestler69]

how far down did you put ur guid for the saw so you dont cut too deep?

[bigdaddysmojo]

@pestler69 different wire has different depth's, I just eyeball it most of the time..though I would guestimate it at about 1-16 to 3/32" deep

thanks for watchin!!

[ibdjpickles]

Great vid... I just saw one of these guitars for the first time the other night. Moreland and arbuckle used one in their opening act for buddy guy. I had to find out what his guitar was. Now I know and want to make one, great inspiration. Thanks!

[bigdaddysmojo]

@ibdjpickles for me it was seeing the north mississippi allstars, luther plays one.

I recently made a buddy guy tribute CBG, it's on my you tube page!! I do sell kits on my back porch mojo website!! thanks for watchin'

[a0e0roberts]

Hey, Big Daddy. Just shaped the neck for my first CBG, and will be fretting it up tomorrow. How deep should I cut the fret slots? I'm sure I went way overboard and cut too deep. Oh well, if that's the worst boo-boo, I'll be a happy puppy. I can fill up any space with 5-minute epoxy (I heard you shouldn't leave empty space; bad for acoustics)

Those Stew-Mac fret saws are $46 with depth stop, but that looks like the only extravagance you abide with, so I'll put in an order for one.

[bigdaddysmojo]

@a0e0roberts the fret tang is not more than 1/8 inch it's more like 1/16. one thing you can do when your slot is too deep, is to install the fret, then fill the gap under it with super glue, and rub some saw dust on the end of the slot.. it's almost invisible!!

[DUY1337GUITAR]

I'm planning on building one, but I don't feel like ordering cigar boxes online and waiting them to come home, I got some wood to make my own box. Can't wait

[bigdaddysmojo]

that's one way to do it!! I have made a few boxes.. sometimes that's the only way to get what you want!! enjoy your build

[chrisekelman]

Hey Big Daddy, How do you mount the license plate? does that also act like the reso in place of the cone? Thanks.

[chrisekelman]

thanks Bigdaddy. Cool stuff and very helpful for my first build.

[bigdaddysmojo]

Glad it helped!! gonna do a video of build #1??

[yohrdzayr]

wow bigdaddy, that file holder tip was awesome!

thanks a lot for these vids and tips!

congrats and happy new year!

[bigdaddysmojo]

Thanks glad it helped!! you should check out my video using a belt sander to end dress the frets!! it makes it even easier!!

[johnmcnair]

Tell me about it! I need a break most of all from all the emails and ordering parts and wrapping and all that mailing stuff...I have some reso kits i am selling but i am taking a break on the full cbg kits , there good to sell but I speant 2 hours a day doing it everyday emails and people questions , I need a few weeks or months with rest, maybe a reso kit here and there nothing more.

Happy New Years!

[johnmcnair]

awe shucks..Thanks!

It was OK this Xmas ..I hope you sell lots of DVDs and Kits! I took a break for a few months on the kits I dont have time, I will tell folks about you!

Happy New Years!

[bigdaddysmojo]

John, a break is sometimes necessary, I am hoping and actually going to plan a short one end of this month for at least a week or two... I was so busy (still am) that I have actually lapped my slow #ss!! LOL

Happy New Years!!

[johnmcnair]

Hey this is pretty cool!...this is real good info!....I think i will make one!....

Yeah, Yeah, I will make one and sell it ,um, maybe on ebay???

well I was thinkin' about ...O, dunno, say 15 bucks???

yeah That's It, a cool neck fretting DVD on ebay!!!

just kidding!

liked your sign in the new videos, totally cool!

[bigdaddysmojo]

John if you made one...it would be uber cool with spartans, and vampires...and good music...here on the back porch we're low tech, but having fun!! hope the holiday rush was good to you!!

[diane3000]

I link to this video all the time -- thanks a million, BD! (Half those views are mine!)

[bigdaddysmojo]

Diane, I made this for you!! and if it helps you or anyone....well then I am happy

[philby37]

One of the most informative vids I have ever seen on youtube, short and to the point, many thanks!

[bigdaddysmojo]

Thanks, part of why I made it was to clear some of the mystery on how it's done. most folks think it's tough but it's really pretty easy!! thanks for watching

[thaJanathan]

so... adding the frets isnt all that hard... how do you caculate the location of each fret? isnt there a measurement from nut to bridge and if you have a fret ruller how do you know if your neck length is correct?

dose the rule of 18 aply to a 3 string guitar?

[MrFilipicamo]

You got to have a pal for the distance, you can calculate this with a program.

[doogey9]

excellent tutorial!!!

cheers,

todd (brother sonny)

[TCROCKERUSA]

Back again to turn more folks from Cigar Box Nation (dot com) onto this awesome tutorial. Darren Rules!

[bigdaddysmojo]

thanks ted!!

[kevkraft]

How much is a fret saw? And where do you buy such a thing?

[WILLARDJ]

BIG DADDY....YO DE MAN!!! THANKS

[justdave58]

what size box do u use for the guitar?

[JeshuranOfPhoenix]

great video man - I was going to go fretless on my first CB - but will now have to go that extra mile - cheers man!

[resistzine]

Thanks for doing this video. I'm going to have to get me a plastic hammer and fret saw. You've got me convinced! Too bad I just got my order from Stewmac, and won't need to buy anything else from them for a while.

[bigdaddysmojo]

it is easy enough, you do have to watch to make sure you do set it completely and don't over set it...that comes pretty quick.

[artistfood]

Thanks for the lesson. It does look easy. I always thought there would be some problems with buzzing and frets that go too deep or not deep enough.

[GDguitarplayer]

thats awesome but you maybe should have used another clamp or so... LOL

[bigdaddysmojo]

Jump in Both feet!! it's not as hard as people make it seem. practice on some scrap wood then move to you guitar neck

[aphinar]

Hey BDMojo! I've been putting off fretting, but this vid de-mystifies it bigtime. Think I'll take the plunge. Thanks U!

[bigdaddysmojo]

It's probably your pliers, they may not be ground to the angle you would need. I got my cutter at Sears for about $10. If your going to build very many guitars, go to Stewart Macdonald and buy your fret wire a pound at a time!! saves lots of money

[danielwetpaint]

Great Videos,,,I have a question. I'm buying fret wire sticks off of a person on ebay. The ones I get are .110 wide and .55 tall. I want them that tall because my necks are hand made and have some irregularity to them(few thousandths). So the added height helps me file them flat in relation to each other.I can get them down with no fret buzz. I cannot cut them with pliers like you're doing. Why are mine so hard? I have to use a cutoff wheel or Dremel to fit the edges.

[bigdaddysmojo]

not if the slot is cut the right size. when you buy fret wire they should tell you the "tang size" I buy from stewart macdonald theirs is .023 I believe

[douggie90]

Don't you need to glue in the frets?

[ekserchina]

It's much easier then I thought. Thanks for the video that's going to make my life easier.

[bigdaddysmojo]

Thanks HB!!

[H0LL0WBELLY]

great stuff big daddy!