Australian Wood Review – September 2019

http://www.woodreview.com.au 57

PROJECT

Place two pieces of tape on the box to

show where the neck is as a means of

centring the bridge location (photo

21 ). Glue the bridge (in this case, a

piece of 5/16" threaded rod) to the box

using five minute epoxy or hot-melt

glue, then remove the tape.

Install the strings and tune them to the

appropriate note (photo 22). I typically

string my CBG’s with an open G string

set which are tuned to G-D-g to make

it easy to play with a slide. If this is your

first stringed instrument, jump online

and learn how to string an instrument.

It’s not hard to do but like anything

else you need to know the steps.

There are many instructional videos

online that explain how to play a

CBG. As you surf around, you’ll start

to see that there is an entire sub-sect

of musicians that play instruments that

they have made themselves. You will

find events, concerts and festivals with

the CBG as the central instrument, so

have some fun with your new-found,

handmade instrument.

Photos: Vic Tesolin

Diagram: Graham Sands

Vic Tesolin is a furniture maker and also

a Lee Valley Woodworking Partner. He

lives in Canada and teaches workshops

all over the world. Learn more at http://

victesolin.com

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22

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13. Tape rolls and finish cans make
    great templates for curves.


14. The router makes quick work of
    the round over.


15. Take off the hard corners.


16. Glue the bolt (nut) into place.


17. The rivets will protect the wood
    from the strings.


18. Install the tuning machines.


19. Button up the box.


20. Line up the scale length.


21. Locate the bridge on the box.


22. String it up and have some fun.


23. The finished instrument.