#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

What am I supposed to do with this?! Box puzzle.

I bought a box on eBay last night for my first build and I've not made it easy for myself. It's 300mm x 220mm x 110mm (don't laugh) but the biggest issue is how it opens. It's a top loader and I have no idea how I'm going to be able to cut the space for the through neck. I can't take it apart because it's leather bound and I don't want to ruin the leather or destroy the integrity of the box. It looks thick wood so it'll have to be electric. Good job with the leather? First thing first though, how would you cut the space for the neck to go through? What tools would you use? I've got a drill and everything else is hand tools. How would you physically get into the space and work on the area needing work?

My old high school teachers were right. I need help! Help me, Obe Wan Kanobi, you're my only hope.

Thanks.

Bear.

P.S. Here's the box seen from the top down.

0 members like this

Attachments:

box open.jpg, 192 KB

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robert Killen on January 20, 2016 at 11:35am

If I understand correctly, your bridge (and subsequently the strings) will be over the front face of the box and not the top?

If that's the case, my solution would be to drill a 1/2" hole where the neck will go, then expand and shape it with a coping saw or mini-hacksaw.

Maybe others have a simpler idea...?

Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on January 20, 2016 at 11:41am

You got it right. Strings will go across the front of the box from left to right as you look down at that picture. I'll try that method but I don't think the coping saw frame will fit over the top of the side far down the side enough to be half way up the front. I'll try though. I was thinking chisels but I think once I got so far in I'd just crack the wood? Your way sounds more like it if I can get the frame of the saw far down enough. Thanks buddy.

Permalink Reply by Robert Killen on January 20, 2016 at 11:48am

My coping saw is like the one below. I think the depth is about 130mm (I'm American so I might be off a bit).

Image result for coping saw

Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on January 20, 2016 at 12:04pm

I'll give it a try with the coping saw and if I get no joy I'll try and get one with a bigger frame height. Thanks again.

Permalink Reply by Tom Drommond on January 20, 2016 at 12:08pm

That's a killer looking box. I'd set it aside for an amplifier to go with your CBG. I really like the way the lid opens on yours. It would make the perfect control panel and would making wiring it up easy.

The amp kit that CB Gitty sells would be a great idea.

or gut one like this Amp on eBay

or go nuts and build a tube amp kit in there.

Buy a box that's the right dimensions from CB or on ebay. Don't make your first build harder than it has to be. Make it fun. Complications will make themselves without any help, even on a simple first build. I'd hate to ruin a funky cool box like that. That's a killer amp box all day long.

Good luck no matter what and post pics of what you decide.

Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on January 20, 2016 at 1:41pm

Strong advice and I'm dead cert it's good advice too. I'm an in-at-the-deep-end kinda guy and like to learn the hardest lessons first if I can. Steep learning curve and all that. I'll post pics for sure. Think I'll use it for a guitar though because I'm worse at electronics than I am at woodwork and I'm beyond rubbish at woodwork luls. If I wreck the box then I'll know what not to do next time. It was a tenner anyway and while I can't afford to throw money away I can always get another box exactly the same from the eBay seller. Pretty sure he just makes them to look old but not positive I guess. Thanks for the info on the amp kits too btw. I hadn't seen that.

Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on January 20, 2016 at 1:30pm

That's great info Wayfinder. I'll read it again in the morning so I can take it all in but sounds like you've got it sussed. I'll have to buy one of those fret saws to do it but I'll use it plenty when I start doing fretted necks anyway. Cheers buddy. Appreciate it loads.

Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on January 21, 2016 at 1:43am

I'm in the UK Wayfinder. With import duty and postage I'll probably buy something akin over here where tools are concerned but buy boxes, box hardware and electronic components from Gitty. I was in the hardware store just yesterday actually and saw a miter box and saw combo for £13.99. Hey thanks again mate. Big, big help.

Permalink Reply by Denis U on January 20, 2016 at 10:26pm

That looks like quite thick leather. Personally, I would cut the leather first with a really sharp knife so you keep the edges of the leather clean and neat. From my experience of working with leather, once you've made a mess of the edge, it's hard to tidy it up.

Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on January 21, 2016 at 1:39am

Thanks Denis. I'll be doing that first then. Great advice I'm sure.

Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on January 21, 2016 at 5:56am

Like this, right?

Permalink Reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on January 21, 2016 at 6:27am

I'm confused. You say "to keep the neck thin enough you'll want to use a "join" " but I thought the idea was to have a thick neck so that the wood doesn't warp or bend? Would a piece of oak 2x4 not be better and make the diagram you drew above out of one piece? I could shape the neck or cut it down slightly maybe? Why would I need a fret board? Does that help in some way that I don't know about? I'm not fretting the neck I'm going to make and just putting markers on the side of the neck so I can look down and see where I'm at. Do I still need a fret board in that case?

I appreciate all the advice and want to say it. Just trying to learn and learning from someone with experience like you is obviously a good way to learn. Thanks.