Cigar Box Guitars: building tips, music and the cigar box culture

Size of box

I'm looking to make my own boxes due to the limited availability of proper boxes, I'm looking to paint these made boxes so not to bothered about apperance. My question is what size is ideal I'm looking at 3" deep but need help picking length and width.
Cheers,
BIGBOG CBG

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Permalink Reply by David Lloyd on December 28, 2009 at 9:21am: Hi,

I use old 35mm photo slide boxes (come up from time to time on ebay) and for a full size guitar I use the 9" x 12" box (x 2 3/4" deep) but I use bolt on recycled 6 string necks and this size allows a decent neck pocket and still leaves room for the bridge to be set within the box. This size is really comfortable to play and sits well on your lap. I used a bigger box for a resonator and find it less comfortable to play (10 1/2 " x 13" x 2 1/4"). Smallest I have used was for two 3/4 size guitars for my sons (8" x 10 1/2" x 2 1/4") - it is personal preference but as I am used to full size electric guitars I wouldn't like anything smaller than the 3/4 size.

Not sure about 3 or 4 string CBG sizes as I haven't had chance to make or play one yet.

Good luck in your search,
David; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by c# merle on December 28, 2009 at 5:13pm: i usually go with A4 size (12 x 8) and about 2 1/2 to 3 inch deep.
this one was made with cedar sides and 3mm ply top; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by L.J. on December 29, 2009 at 9:09pm

Big Bob,

The beauty of it is there is no rules. I would recomend building them simaler to cigarboxes that you were very pleased with in past builds. I tend to like the tones from the deeper boxes better than shallow.And of course the thickness of the wood U use will make a difference too. And then you have to compare box size to scale length. smaller box looks good with a little shorter scale. I attached a pic of a smaller scale i built for my lil boy. He needed a shorter scale for 8 year old comfort. So I got a box that fit it well. its about 3" deep and sounds pretty good.

Attachments:

CBG 11 09 011.jpg, 755 KB

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Permalink Reply by Matt Towe on December 30, 2009 at 8:55am: Whatever is comfy.
Whatever looks good when a neck is added ... I guess in proportion.
As big as possible for the best sound, but then too big and you're out of the CBG realm.
Experience has taught me that a deeper box gives me a better tone .. or at least more to what I'm looking for.

But then again, no rules so have at it!

Matt; ▶ Reply to This