Tenor questions

[nnickusa]

Looking for a bit of advice. I'm making a "copy" of a Regal Tenor as drawn by Antes. I've already reduced the bracing, to a pitch that fits my ear, as all I've read is that the antes plans are over-braced, and I'm happy so far.

Question 1. Does a guitar like this need a truss rod? or could I use a piece of "L" shaped aluminium inset into the neck. I have a mandola truss rod, but I think it'll be a pretty heavy bit and make the neck too heavy....
Question 2. the soundhole is too small to reach thru, so can I use a dowel neck joint on this? or should I re-jig the dovetail jig to fit this little guitar.....Was thinking about a flush cut dowelled joint, as it ought to have much less stress than a bigger guitar.....

As always, I appreciate any input. I guess that one isn't too far offa uke in terms of string tension, and I've seen full-sized guitars with dowelled butt joints.....

Probably should have planned this one better.....

[DarwinStrings]

The tension will depend on the strings and the tuning you use, 6 strings Tenors are tuned a minor third up compared to a guitar which increases the tension for the short scale (G-C-F-A#-D-G) I have no idea what you would use for a 4 string tenor. Dowel joints if well done can be very strong.

Jim

[nnickusa]

Thanks Jim. I'm actually contemplating it more because I want to try something new on each guitar I build for myself in order to expand my knowledge base. This Tenor will be a 4 string, 20.88" scale, and I've got tenor strings waiting...I read the most common tuning for a 4-string is CGBE.

I've got a mate, Jeff Martin, who reckons he knows how to play these things, so I've asked him to have a go when it's finished and let me make a little sound clip of it.....

It's really just abit of fun, and a way to try out a Huon Pine top I got that was small.....I just can't bring myself to actually want a Ukulele, no matter how popular they are these days.... ......so I used a uke set of Qld Maple from Tim for the balance of this one, and it looks great.....

[DarwinStrings]

Another thought Nick. If you were following the Michael Thames thread on CF in the neck then I think it would be a safe bet to assume a aluminium bar up the centre of the neck won't do much if anything at all.

Jim

[nnickusa]

Ah, I had forgotten about Mr. Thames, or I was drunk, I don't remember which.....

Seriously, I guess that's true, but I've seen older guitars with square steel rods, bars, etc, and thought a T may add some strength, with less weight.

All moot at the moment, tho. I weighed all the accumulated body parts at 620gm and all the neck parts at 400gm...including the truss rod and the neck un-shaped, so I think it won't be neck heavy after all......

Thanks, but....Should be done soon, as long as I can spray when it's ready. Weather looks to be heading in the right direction for that, too....

[P Bill]

Nick, I used the small pultruded rod from LMI on my box tenor. I had to shave the neck to get some relief. It's a 17 fret
body join. I used D'Addario Irish Banjo strings, GDAE. I've yet to put on proper tenor guitar strings on yet, I'll probably
have too much relief. Nothing like a 2 way rod.

[nnickusa]

2-way rod going in Bill, so to speak......