Jehle Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 Well we've talked and talked about it. It's time for the rubber to meet the road. Today is February 11. Let's take 1 month and see what we can do with the lowly 2x4. Task: Build a playable instrument using a 2x4 (or as many of them as you need). You can make any kind of instrument that you like and use additional materials as needed (like a balsa fretboard), but you must use a 2x4 for the majority of the build. Above all else, have fun with the idea. Time limit: One Month. March 12th is the deadline and then we can all sit back and laugh at the results. Submitting entries: You can post your results here. Limit yourself to 4 pictures (just as in the GOTM) and tell us the vital statistics. Sound clips are optional but for extra brownie points, they are preferred. Get to work! Quote Link to comment
chibi Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 interesting... i started one with a few 2x6. but 2x4 will require some skilled carpenters... interesting, if i find the time.. I'M IN Quote Link to comment
orgmorg Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 What sort of 2x4 are we talking about? I am guessing the intent is your standard builders supply spruce/pine/fir stud, but many other species are available as construction grade 2x4s depending on where you live. Down in the rural south here, we use a lot of yellow poplar for construction, and having a portable sawmill, I've cut up a lot of different woods into 2x4s for framing. I even have some hard maple 2x4s I've salvaged from an old barn. Not trying to nitpick, I just want to clear this up before I start something. Quote Link to comment
Jehle Posted February 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 What sort of 2x4 are we talking about? I am guessing the intent is your standard builders supply spruce/pine/fir stud, but many other species are available as construction grade 2x4s depending on where you live. Down in the rural south here, we use a lot of yellow poplar for construction, and having a portable sawmill, I've cut up a lot of different woods into 2x4s for framing. I even have some hard maple 2x4s I've salvaged from an old barn. Not trying to nitpick, I just want to clear this up before I start something. I didn't specify wood per se. You got the right idea to use common building material. Generic 2x4. Notice that I also said make a playable "instrument" and I didn't specify a guitar. Quote Link to comment
MoCaster Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 (edited) so, you could use better than construction grade lumber, right? Edited February 12, 2006 by MoCaster Quote Link to comment
thegarehanman Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 so, you could use better than construction grade lumber, right? Here we go again. Quote Link to comment
MoCaster Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 so, you could use better than construction grade lumber, right? Here we go again. I'm sorry, maybe it's a stupid question, but I'm a little confused as to exactly what you can or can not use. I was a the local hardware store yesterday and saw some really nice high grade fir 2X4s and was wondering if that would be ok to use. Quote Link to comment
thegarehanman Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 Fir is commonly sold as "construction grade" lumber, so I think it'd be fine. I'm wondering how long it will take for there to amass a very large number of specific rules for this contest. Quote Link to comment
Nitefly SA Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 we can cut them down, glue them, what ever, right?v i dont want my neck to be 4 inches wide Quote Link to comment
chibi Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 Construction grade 2x4 would be easyer to work with since it's normal made from softer wood... but i'd suggest getting something slightly harder and more expensive...you got to remember.. soft woods will warp easy since they spend a good amount of time drying out. Harder wood will be a better choice if you want something with less complication in the future. Quote Link to comment
Jehle Posted February 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 Nah, I'm not going to make a lot of extra rules here. If you can pick up a 2x4 at your local hardware store and it's made of New Zealand Remu, then that's fair game. If you think that's construction grade timber, go for it. Cutting the 2x4 is fair game too. It's wood just like anything else. Cut it. Glue it. Drill holes in it. Just make something. Quote Link to comment
Nitefly SA Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 i might be in this one too then, hopefully i make something better that the fuglycaster Quote Link to comment
Jehle Posted February 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2006 i might be in this one too then, hopefully i make something better that the fuglycaster There is nothing more fine than the fuglycaster. Quote Link to comment
Mr Alex Posted February 13, 2006 Report Share Posted February 13, 2006 Would it be ok if I use a 2x8"? and some little scraps of local native timbers for the nut and bridge? Quote Link to comment
aidlook Posted February 13, 2006 Report Share Posted February 13, 2006 Would it be ok if I use a 2x8"? and some little scraps of local native timbers for the nut and bridge? If you split it down the middle you'd have 2 2x4's...then you could just glue them bck together Quote Link to comment
Jehle Posted February 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2006 Would it be ok if I use a 2x8"? and some little scraps of local native timbers for the nut and bridge? If you split it down the middle you'd have 2 2x4's...then you could just glue them bck together That's splitting hairs, so to speak. Technically, you could use a 2x8, but you would also have to use a 2x4 according to the initial rule. I don't want to say what you can and cannot use. If you can honestly say, "I used a 2x4 to make this." you've satisfied the one and only rule. The spirit of the build is to limit yourself to use something undesirable, or just not worthy of a build. A 2x4 is not an ideal size so you will have to cut it somehow. It's probably not the greatest tone wood either, probably too soft, yadda yadda yadda. We know all that. But can you sew a silk purse from a sow's ear? I feel all zen-like now. Quote Link to comment
marksound Posted February 13, 2006 Report Share Posted February 13, 2006 Apparently you can make anything out of anything. http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Museum/Bel...w/midmowow.html Quote Link to comment
Jehle Posted February 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2006 I am getting started on my 2x4. I selected the most crappy piece of 2x4 from my scrap pile to work with. The good news is that it will be weather proof when its done. It's pressure treated. Quote Link to comment
Jehle Posted March 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 I wonder if anyone is doing this. It's March 9th and there has been zero noise here. Quote Link to comment
GuitarGuy Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 Oh ,yeah. Are you going to start another thread for it? or are we just supposed to post them here? Quote Link to comment
Jehle Posted March 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 In the first post of this thread I suggested people submit them here... <edit> I started a new thread for the entries. Y'all can put them there. Quote Link to comment
silvertonessuckbutigotone Posted March 11, 2006 Report Share Posted March 11, 2006 Apparently you can make anything out of anything. http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Museum/Bel...w/midmowow.html i live 7 miles away from mid mo mandolin. Quote Link to comment
Desopolis Posted September 28, 2006 Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 I cant see the results, want to try this again? Quote Link to comment
Nitefly SA Posted September 28, 2006 Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 This time, I am game. Since the last one I've gotten a car and a job so now I can get what ever I need. If this gets started up again, I'm in. Quote Link to comment
GuitarGuy Posted October 1, 2006 Report Share Posted October 1, 2006 Im game again...itll be the same guitar but maybe ill paint it this time. Quote Link to comment
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