What is the average size of the cigar box used for most 3 string guitars? I was at a cigar shop the other day and they just look small, but now I'm thinking they were probably ok. My dad has a few old box's that held 50 cigars, they look small too. I would use them except they are cardboard not wood. I realize anything goes with the CBG but I want it to look "right" : )

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There isn't one. Build with what you got. I will tell you that there are the palmitas/coronas sized boxes that are kinda small. May be great for diddly bows -- sorta, but I would go for something like this Arturo Fuente Chruchill box. Somewhere in that size range.

OH, but DO NOT pay too much. The price on ebay is about street price +/- $1. DO NOT pay $10 for a box unless you can't get them anywhere else. Also don't get cheap thin paper boxes like elProducto or White Owl. Crap like you would get in a convenience store.

-WY
I think that is about the size I was looking at, without the neck on it it didn't look right. My dad has since found me 2 wood vintage cigar box's for me, he was using them to store small parts for the last 40+ years, perfect!
Vintage in the classic sense.
Remember that on a 3 stringer you can narrow the neck to maybe 1 3/8", have good string spacing and help the box look more proportioned.... as far as sounding good, the "holy grail" of boxes, the Macanudo PortoFino Cafe only measures 7 1/2 X 8 1/2....

Sometimes, the best thing is to build what you got..... I've built on about everything that's come into my hands.... they all work (some better than others:-)

the best,
Wichita Sam
If your going to build electric I dont think it matters all that much what size you build.I build most all acoustic so I tend to attempt to stay 8 inches or longer.But, like Sam said, build what ya got and dont worry about it too much.
Decide what size you want to stick to and then measure any boxes your thinking about buying, then you wont have to guess if its the "right size"
why is the Macanudo PortoFino Cafe the holy grail of boxes? is it different wood/built different?


Wichita Sam said:
Remember that on a 3 stringer you can narrow the neck to maybe 1 3/8", have good string spacing and help the box look more proportioned.... as far as sounding good, the "holy grail" of boxes, the Macanudo PortoFino Cafe only measures 7 1/2 X 8 1/2....

Sometimes, the best thing is to build what you got..... I've built on about everything that's come into my hands.... they all work (some better than others:-)

the best,
Wichita Sam
I've since gotten 3 macanudo box's and her is my opinion. I think it is the plywood they use, and the size has some effect also. The plywood only has 3 plys and the outer 2 are very thin so there is not much glue to stiffen the wood and deaden it, when you tap on the top it has a nicer ring to it. Some box's have wood with 5 plys, that gives you 4 layers of glue plus the criss crossed grain of the plys I think makes a deader sound. Just my opinion though, and the macanudos I have are almost 3" deep. You can learn a lot in a few months!

Vini Machado said:
why is the Macanudo PortoFino Cafe the holy grail of boxes? is it different wood/built different?


Wichita Sam said:
Remember that on a 3 stringer you can narrow the neck to maybe 1 3/8", have good string spacing and help the box look more proportioned.... as far as sounding good, the "holy grail" of boxes, the Macanudo PortoFino Cafe only measures 7 1/2 X 8 1/2....

Sometimes, the best thing is to build what you got..... I've built on about everything that's come into my hands.... they all work (some better than others:-)

the best,
Wichita Sam
Its simply the best sounding box. Dunno why. Might be the dimensions or the wood. Mine I came across by accident and, in spite the fact I made it, it still sounds great.

-WY

Vini Machado said:
why is the Macanudo PortoFino Cafe the holy grail of boxes? is it different wood/built different?


Wichita Sam said:
Remember that on a 3 stringer you can narrow the neck to maybe 1 3/8", have good string spacing and help the box look more proportioned.... as far as sounding good, the "holy grail" of boxes, the Macanudo PortoFino Cafe only measures 7 1/2 X 8 1/2....

Sometimes, the best thing is to build what you got..... I've built on about everything that's come into my hands.... they all work (some better than others:-)

the best,
Wichita Sam
My first guitar was built on a box that measure 9 x 6.5 x 1.75 inches. That may be somewhat small but it worked. I have some bigger boxes that I am going to try next. They measure 12 x 7.25 x 2.25 inches. If possible, try to find one that has the finger jointed corners because they should be somewhat stronger. Stay away from cardboard, they might work for awhile but they are really too fragile. You can find any numer of good wood boxes on Ebay. Good luck. Bob
Robert,

I don't think your box was too small.... it's not the size (with in reason), it's want you do with it.... many of my smaller CBs end up as strummers.....

the best,

Sam

Robert Hynden said:
My first guitar was built on a box that measure 9 x 6.5 x 1.75 inches. That may be somewhat small but it worked. I have some bigger boxes that I am going to try next. They measure 12 x 7.25 x 2.25 inches. If possible, try to find one that has the finger jointed corners because they should be somewhat stronger. Stay away from cardboard, they might work for awhile but they are really too fragile. You can find any numer of good wood boxes on Ebay. Good luck. Bob

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