My bare bones 2x4 tapping guitar

[lactose]

After reading threads here, and seeing the excellent woodworking skills you guys have, I am almost embarased to post. But perhaps this will be useful for any beginning woodworkers like myself.

A few weeks ago I decided to order some fretwire and see how hard it was to tap it into some test wood. I thought, while I am at it, why don't I try to make a guitar out of a 2x4. About the same time I started getting interested in tapping, and the special instruments that make this style easier. So I thought, why not make a 2x4 tapping guitar. How hard could it be ? (Famous last words).

So I decided to make several compromises that would keep the required woodworking skills at a lower level. Here are some pics.

I made the scale 25.5, equal to my strat. I think this will prevent me from using the standard Stick TM tuning, as the scale length is too short. Currently I have two sets of guitar strings on it, one heavy and one normal. I plan to post a PDF on what I did step by step.

So far the biggest challenge has been the frets. I use a fret saw and hammer, measure the slot depth (3mm), bevel the slot top. I still have some frets that turn a little, some that don't want to go down (and get flat spots from the hammer), and some that lift on the edges.

Also I have a guitar pickup on it now, and I notice that the thud from tapping the string comes thru really strong. Maybe I need to isolate the pickup mounting from the body.

Notice the inlay of the mountain range on the fretboard. That's my story anyway ! :)

Anyway, any advice is welcomed !


http://www.think600.com/2x4_tap1_640.JPG
http://www.think600.com/2x4_tap2_640.JPG
http://www.think600.com/2x4_tap3_640.JPG

[rjgoos]

I think your approach is perfect. Start with inexpensive materials (a 2 x 4, I love it), start with the tools you have, and dive right in. Your next instrument will be ten times better, because of the experience you gained with this one.

I'm not certain which mountain range that is, though.

[RocknDrTom]

Sometimes I wish I would have taken the simpler approach. I'd be finished and playing! This looks pretty good for a really basic instrument. How's the action? If you have any frets that seem loose, you could super glue them in. Use Turtle wax around it where you don't want the glue to stick.

[traktor]

It reminds me of something ....

... it'll come to me. Just need to think what it is. Hmmm ...

[lactose]

Thanks for the Turtle Wax tip. From now on, after fret installation I will double check the ends and glue any loose ones. Also I think I will use a guide for the saw from now on.

One more pass with the fret level on the bass side tonight, and I am ready to mount the pickups and play it. I will post pics and clips when it becomes usable.

The action is really good, but I have some slight buzz in a couple of places. I will just have to live with it until my fretting skills improve. A few more fret levels, and I will have a fretless. So far, with 3 strings, the intonation seems pretty good considering. To be honest, a lot of tap guitar recordings I have heard are out of tune. So I am just following convention. :)

I ordered some Megatar strings, for now I am using guitar strings. Not sure how I will tune it, probably in 4ths if the tension is ok.

I've been reading about the Megatar, and really want one. Especially the Mahogany one. I love fanned frets (I have two guitars with FF and one bass one the way) but they don't seem to make sense unless the strings are tuned from low to high. I have had amp fever the past few years, and ended up with a Vetta and Road King. I have a feeling I am picking up a touch style guitar habit.

[haimeh]

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
it's, it's, the "silhouette"!!!

[rjgoos]

Originally posted by traktor
It reminds me of something ....

... it'll come to me. Just need to think what it is. Hmmm ...


It's the Mount Shasta inlay, Traktor.

But kidding aside, I think that Mr. Lactose's project may embody an interesting idea worthy of further examination. Might an extra mass of wood between the strings and the piezo pickup help alleviate some of the "harshness" common with piezo pickups?

[lactose]

Might an extra mass of wood between the strings and the piezo pickup help alleviate some of the "harshness" common with piezo pickups?

The initial tests with the piezo did not sound overly bright or quacky, as piezos can when mounted under the saddle. But body noise was really bad (I'm not talking about my farting here). When I would tap the strings, the thud of my finger hitting the neck was pronounced. Also I have not yet built the JFET buffer for the piezo, which would likely add bass.

I decided for the moment to use standard guitar pickups (stacked humbuckers). If I can get this thing working, it will be trivial to add the piezo back in. The aluminum project box was meant to house the piezo buffer circuit, plus it adds an air of exquisite beauty to the instrument.

EDIT: I just realized that the aluminum box was not mounted when I took the picture.

[haimeh]

Observations just in case you decided to go back to the piezo:

awhile back, I experimented with piezo elements on one of my basses. I found a small bit of foam, or very thin cork board between the piezo and the body eliminated most of the body noise. Also, just double check to see if the piezo is correctly oriented.

[dr. blues]

i like...i like it a lot. excellent creativity. i've never had much success with piezos...can get them to work but i don't like the sound. would like to hear how your approach sounds.

[lactose]

Well I am close to finished with this. Remember I have no idea how to play this. Here are some more pics and a video:

Video (http://www.think600.com/tap320.mpg)

http://www.think600.com/2x4_tap4_560.JPG
http://www.think600.com/2x4_tap5_560.JPG
http://www.think600.com/2x4_tap6_560.JPG

[dtapper]

i'm going to stsrt a project soon & i think your idea/tapper is great! a big congrats to you!

[Miles Copeland]

That's awesome! Congratulations!

I'm over here whining about saving money to buy one....

Question - with all the materials including tools, how much have you invested?

[rjgoos]

Originally posted by dtapper

i'm going to stsrt a project soon & i think your idea/tapper is great! a big congrats to you!


People value different aspects of a hobby. Instrument building is an interesting part of tapping.

Unless you have advanced wood-working skills/tools, I think Lactose's approach was perfect....start with cheap materials, and make a prototype or two, learn, improve, and, above all, have some fun.

And besides, nobody is going to mess with the man with the 2 x 4 in his hand!!

[haimeh]

Including time, gas, patience, tears, blood, tools, materials, etc... It will cost you ALOT more in the long run. i'm about 3/4 of the way done on my uncrossed 10 stringer, but it will be about the 7th instrument i've ATTEMPTED to build. I started with a lapsteel, super easy to build and you don't have to worry about low action or intonation.