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Tips/advice on buying a CBG?

Hey all,

Getting ready to buy my 2nd CBG. Looking for an acoustic only instrument, as I have an electric, but it's just not that loud when I fingerpick it without an amp...so I want a nice loud acoustic. Just wondering what I should look for and what I should avoid in purchasing a new CBG? In otherwords, what things should definitely scare me off and what things I should definitely want as far as the "build" is concerned.

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Permalink Reply by Snuffy Smith on August 28, 2017 at 4:09pm

Can't.

Not set up or equipped for that.

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Permalink Reply by Kigar on August 28, 2017 at 3:22pm

While I agree with the others about the idea of building one yourself, it sounds like you want or need to buy your guitar. For me, I would want to play it before I bought it. Whether a guitar, or bicycle, or golf clubs, or anything else you are into, the right one will feel right and in the case of an instrument, sound right for you. With all respect to the masters out there, without trying it myself I would be very hesitant to order one site unseen. Don't know where you are, but maybe there are others nearby if you ask around here or you could take a trip to a nearby festivel.

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Permalink Reply by Snuffy Smith on August 28, 2017 at 4:18pm

I'm with ya!

I went to the York PA CBG Festival this past weekend. Honestly, I was disappointed somewhat. There was probably only about 6 CBG vendors there. I was hoping for between 10 -15 vendors...not! Almost everything was electric. I only saw one resonator CBG. The music was so loud there was no way you could hear anything you wanted to try out. Between bands, along with the crowd noise, there was always some announcer talking loudly over the PA, and again, I couldn't hear anything I picked up. After an hour of walking around, I knew I was not going to find anything I wanted, and I left without buying anything at all. I don't think the festival atmosphere is conducive to really listening to what you want to buy (and I'm a fingerpicker, so it's even more difficult to hear myself over the din). About the only plus I see at going to those festivals is meeting others who have a love of CBG's, and listening to other CBG players perform.

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on August 29, 2017 at 1:54am

Lots of good answers. My 2 cents is that for acoustic sound, bigger IS usually better. That's why I have made some big box four strings to play along with friends on factory builts. On that line, 4 strings are a bit louder than 3.

Yup on the resonator cones if you like that sound. I do, but I also think it is not right for certain styles and music. The not quite a cones: paint can lids, bean can bottoms, dog bowls- kind of a mixed bag - some pretty good and very cool, but not up there with a real cone.

Play em' first before buying if you can. Or buy from a trusted builder. And keep in mind that some of the trusted builders make great electrics, but maybe not as good acoustics.

In a some ways, I do NOT like that C.B, Gitty has become a CBG factory. I think it takes away from part time and fun builder's sales. BUT, if someone wants a guitar that is well made and going to be just as advertised, buying a Gitty built is a smart buy.