Installing Tuners for "Straight String Pull"

Here is an overview of how I attempt to get straight string pulls on my 3 String Cigar Box Guitars. The 'center' of the tuning pegs measure approximately 3/8 inch from the edge for top and bottom strings and approximately 1/2 for middle string. - I typically just 'eyeball" it.

[@timothy5974]

Nice !! I just recieved my Black Economy tuners in the mailbox tonight! You have just answered a HUUUUUUUGE Qeustion I've had for a while. YOU Sir, are the CBG Master. Rock on. love littlle spider living on your tuner !

[@XENOEFFECT]

Very nice. I see what I need to do now awesome. I can't wait to make my Guitar

[@Sagart999]

One small suggestion on drilling the holes for the tuners and their grommets: Make this a three-step procedure, and if you have to use a spade bit, only drill the grommet hole with it, as such - Start with a pilot hole. Next, drill the hole for the grommet. Then drill the hole for the tuner's diameter. This way, you will always have a common center for each hole and a common twist bit will always find that center.

[@PuckettCigarBoxGuitar]

your awesome!!! i’m going to try that !! 😎

[@skynyrdnemoy2418]

I recently got done with my 2nd build, a oil can Guitar, which I’m loving, this video is a huge help. Thank you del, I learn so much watching you, man.

[@BigDaddyPoof]

Ah man. I wanted to hear ya play it.

[@skylark4901]

Yes, I was greatly disappointed too, not that I wasn't gonna watch another PCBG video anyway! Ha! Addicted!

[@vernnickelson3997]

I found that I could easily design and 3d print string retainers. Kind of an upside down nut you screw down. Also print saddles. For the bridge get a bone paper folder for about $10 and you can cut it up to make many bridges. Keep havin fun.

[@vernnickelson3997]

You can see the retainer on this 1/3 scale Less Paul I built. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6jaeJh8gLuaj5I

[@74dartman13]

I didn't get em perfectly straight on my first cbg. Working on my second one and working out the bugs too. I made sure these were nice and straight!👍😎🎸🎶

[@frankschrodinger1424]

Your videos are very helpful. Question...what's a good headstock thickness relative to the rest of the neck? Looks like yours is about half the thickness?

[@TheLookingOne]

Should the left and right string line distances from the centerline be based on the tail piece or hardtail bridge (the distance that the strings are attached from where the center string is attached)?

[@PuckettCigarBoxGuitar]

that usually helps. i also cut little grooves in the zero fret (nut) and in the saddle for string spacing

[@Dragonsbrath]

Excellent video. I especially liked the setup for holding the strings down with the eyes and screw. I would like to ask what depth do you cut from the nut down to the head. Thanks for the great information.

[@johne7100]

½" - 12.5 mm - is quite far apart for strings. On my bought guitars they range from 7 mm (Squier) to 9 mm (classical). Gives you a bit more latitude.

[@twodrunkswithamicpodcast4566]

Would this be any different on a scarfed neck?

[@mcopado]

You didn't mention what the gauge of the 3rd string was. I'm always interested in fave combos of builders.

[@PuckettCigarBoxGuitar]

Michael .026

[@graysaw]

Just realized I have to wind my top string from the top too, thought I messed up

[@keithstanley2007]

Another great video Del, many thanks!!! Why is it important to have the tuning head gears in the orientation that you have used? I have heard that it is important but I don't understand why.....

[@PuckettCigarBoxGuitar]

Keith Stanley good question. The reason is you want the ‘tension’ to pull the gears together... not apart .... try to visualize it

[@rondpert5167]

I am curious why all the grommets are different. Just b choice?

[@robluke4266]

Del, did you put a clear coat on the snow bird?, it looks like it..... and what did you use......

[@PuckettCigarBoxGuitar]

Rob Luke. yes. But only for the surface of the fretboard. The white refrigerator paint was already high gloss. I used clear spray polyethylene (i think)

[@ianhawkins7387]

Would it not be better to angle the head so the tuners could the be straight

[@Helllllllsing]

Instead of turning the wrong way on the third tuner, why not use one that was created for the bottom half so the gear is on the "wrong" side? Then all three will be cranked the same way.

[@PuckettCigarBoxGuitar]

Magnus Johansson great idea!!! Hhhmm??

[@brevs8387]

Personally it bugs me that not all the tuners turn the same. I know a lot of builders do this, but it always bothers me (almost as bad as an upside down tuner (which I have been guilty of myself in a pinch for a personal build)). To each their own, no rules... But in this case would the screw tie down not be sufficient for keeping the string pull fairly straight? I have used screws for "string trees" in the past. Would this not work as well? Not knocking you, just curious about your thoughts.

[@PuckettCigarBoxGuitar]

Fun & Eclectic anything goes... i try to be as efficient as possible. Ive used screws to direct strings as well. The threads on the screw string holder help tremendously also.

[@PEPalfreyman]

B Revs a

[@jeremymoorer7033]

What about a 2 stringer? The same as a 3 stringer minus the middle string?

[@PuckettCigarBoxGuitar]

Tuning ?? You can tune TO ANYTHING 😎 positioning the tuners?? You want straight pull optimally