Some of you won't at all relate to building a simple 1 string slide guitar in front of folks but if you may, read on.
I've studied long and deep on the history of the guitar, primitive construction and built so many varied 1, 2 and 3 string slide gits I've lost count. I continue to educate myself on such including building techniques for cigarbox and found object guitar making, especially using a slide so no frets needed, and doing it free or on the cheap.
Further, as a volunteer jail and prisons chaplain the countless visits, music and speaking situations world-wide also when they allow bringing these little instruments in has garnered attention and links with incarcerated people continually.
So one chief chaplain in a prison I've brought music sets to several times established a couple dates for me in his facility this year. I've brought typical 6 string guitars as well as these 3 and 1 stringers in there prior -but out of the blue he asked if I'd be willing to bring parts in and assemble, then play one during one of these visits. I immediately agreed.
Then, knowing prison protocol -exactly how would I create such a guitar on-site with a view to what the front gate would allow me to bring inside because I mostly see maximum security inmates (not always, but usually) as that's who I seek to get with. Some of the rules can be very tight. Of course I'd have to do this with no drill, drill bits, hammers, nails, screwdrivers and screws, no knife or glue. So how?
Holes pre-drilled, all wood construction but for a string tuner. 1 guitar string already or at least mostly in place thinking of a diddley bow (1 string slide guitar) so using if possible, a pre-made maple slide, and the only metal being an eye-bolt with a wingnut as a tuner. I could after assembling on the spot during the set, use one of my stick-on pickups, plug into my amp and play a couple songs.
More details on this:
Use a small, thin wooden or cardboard cigar box pre-cut for the small neck. A thicker wound guitar string. The eye-bolt/wingnut "tuner" already in place. The string pre-cut to correct length to wrap into/around the "tuner". The top of the box pre-glued shut tightly. A pre-cut slit in the bottom of the neck to slide the little brass string "nut" into because the bottom of the neck sticks out of the box/body about an inch or so. Tuner in place, a hardwood bridge pre-glued in place, the string already laced within the eyebolt by pre-assembling the whole when going into the facility so they see an already complete 1 string slide guitar.
Before folks are allowed in, during the sound check simply unwind the string just enough to slip it out of the neck at bottom, then slide the neck up and out of the box.
To assemble, just feed the neck through the pre-drilled holes in the box, slide the little brass string nut into the slit and tighten to pitch.
What about the "bridge"... and how to keep the neck tight in place while playing?
By using a small wooden plug as a hardwood bridge. Pre-drill through the box and 1/4 inch into the neck (not completely through it) pre-cutting a string notch in the flat top of the plug which then provides not only a bridge which, like the tension of the tightened string, also helps secure the neck and box from moving when playing. The plugs I have come 1 piece, small, with a "lip" on top. When cut to proper height I can then use them exactly as I've just written.
A hardwood "nut" up by the tuner could be glued in place on the neck. Sometimes 1 stringers don't need one if the string sits high enough between the bridge and tuner. Slide guitars are played with string/s up off the neck, you don't press them down on the fret board if it's a slide-only setup.
So assembly would take all of 2 minutes including stretching the string to hold a note (pitch) and using a stick-on pickup. Having done all this prior to going inside the facility I'd be ready for it.
This could all be done as a 2 or 3 string git as well- takedown/travel guitar :)
And that's enough hair-brained ideas from me today, HA!!
Perhaps this is a concept some of you builders might wish to try in various gigs?
As always, thanks for stopping by! -Glenn
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