Secrets of the CBG Underground

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Comment by Careless John on April 13, 2013 at 7:30am

Boxes for sale on : www.bulldogburnings.com

Comment by Order99 on April 21, 2012 at 8:10pm

Speaking of 'Too Small' boxes- if you can match several boxes of a similar depth (or don't care about a weird shape because you're playing around) remove the lids from each box, slap 'em upside down on your workbench and glue them together, Saw out most of the interior dividers and you now have a sturdy, ribbed soundbox with a unique shape and resonance. Trace the shape onto a nice bit of your favorite tonewood panel and trim for a custom soundboard, add a neck and join the face with decorative screws, glue, tape or friction-fit as is your preference, then string 'er up!

None of my free or cheap boxes match my ideal size very often, and those small but deep boxes have such wonderful Spanish cedar that I just can't waste it...

Comment by Shawn on April 21, 2012 at 1:36pm

I take them too small to do anything with cigar boxes and use them for pickup rings and pick guards as well as cover plates. Chopsticks work great for fret dots and saddles and nuts. I also use file hangers (the strip of metal that the files hang from ) to make brackets for pickups and pick guards as well.

Comment by John Sims on April 21, 2012 at 11:52am

So true John!

Comment by Careless John on January 8, 2012 at 9:15pm

My top secret is this : if at 1st you don't succeed ... get someone whos good with wood to build it for you ..!!

Comment by John Sims on April 14, 2010 at 9:35am

No...These aren't 'secrets' per se, but knowledge gained by all who wish to share! THANK YOU to all who contribute!

Comment by Kevin Lawton on April 14, 2010 at 7:54am

Well, I don't know if any of this stuff is really 'secret' or particularly 'underground' but there are probably loads of things that beginners to our fold don't realise simply because nobody has ever told them.
For example:
Often the bottom of a cigar box makes a more suitable sound-board than the lid - so try using it 'upside down'.
Try not to kill yourself calculating out fret positions but simply copy them from an existing instrument that you feel comfortable with.
Extend the neck wood right through the box to get a strong instrument without having to make all kinds of skillful wood joints.
Okay, then, there's three to start with.
Have fun !
Kevin.

Comment by crissy b on April 14, 2010 at 3:41am

Hi all cant say as Ive come across any secrets the only thing that I dont tell any one is that if I make a mistake on a build it seems to improve it so is it a mistake ? I dont know anymore now Ive said it ime confussed :)

Comment by chris ekelman on December 4, 2009 at 7:14pm

howdy.

Comment by Paul H (PRH) on November 27, 2009 at 11:13am

I hope to contribute as well as learn from this group. The discussion itself should be worth the price of admission.
PRH

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