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

Jess Mansfield, OH United States: Share; Share on Twitter; Share on Facebook

Blog Posts (9)
Discussions (3)
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Groups (7)
Photos (33)
Photo Albums (2)
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Jess's Groups

Joker's Cigar Box Guitar…

39 members
CBNation Worldwide Gathe…

51 members

Three string guitars

132 members
How to Play a Cigar Box…

203 members

Ohio CBG Cooperative

8 members

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Jess's Discussions

Chicago CBG Builders gathering in March. Who's in?!

The camping idea seems very inviting . . . but, Michigan in march might be a bit frosty on the ol' fingerboard.

Tagged: festival, chicago

Replied Feb 1

Chicago CBG Builders gathering in March. Who's in?!

Hi Diane: This sounds like it could be a great opportunity for us mid-westerners to meet and enjoy. Let me know what transpires. Jess

Tagged: festival, chicago

Replied Jan 31

Help Please.... butchered Dulcimer

Hi Penny: I think the anchor plate is toast. It looks to me like the reason for the damage is that the plate was created and attached with the wood grain running the wrong way. The moment tension was…

Replied Jan 4

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Jess's Page

Happy Birthday to all the Pisces out there! Feb 20

Latest Activity

Jess left a comment for bob berreth

March 12

Jess and bob berreth are now friends

March 12

Buffalo John and Jess are now friends

March 11

Jess joined Joker's group

Joker's Cigar Box Guitar Podcast

The music that started a revolution and grew into a nation

March 2

Jess commented on Shane Speal's group 'CBNation Worldwide Gathering Concert - August 27-28'

Shane, I will be there! Now, can you recommend a place to stay for several days? I'm a rookie in the CBG league, but like Gerry, I will help with whatever I can, just keep me informed.

February 23

Jess joined Shane Speal's group

CBNation Worldwide Gathering Concert - August 27-28

Ok, I'm putting it out here... I've been working behind-the-scenes with York PA businesses and organizations about hosting a massive Cigar Box Guitar Fest at the end of August, 2010.

February 23

Jess commented on Jess's blog post '#6 -- 'Playboy''

Thanks, James.

February 22

James Bush commented on Jess's blog post '#6 -- 'Playboy''

Nice job

February 22

Jess and Tim Fleischer are now friends

February 21

Jess commented on Joker's group 'Ohio CBG Cooperative'

Hi Tim: What do you think about attempting to gather us mid-Ohio CBG builders in a casual meet to share ideas and to get acquainted? I'm not sure the best route to take, but it may be fun. Your thoughts?

February 21

Jess left a comment for Jess

February 21

Jef Long left a comment for Jess

February 20

Jess commented on Jess's photo 'CBG -- #6 & #7 004'

Thanks for viewing and for your comments. The neck on the 'Playboy' is 1.5 inches wide. And, yes I will upload a photo of the inside, however it is very plain . . . painted black with only the neck, which is glued to the inside of the top, and the t…

February 20

Sylver commented on Jess's photo 'CBG -- #6 & #7 004'

Hi, again master.. Trust you excuse my intrusion. I'm intrigued, how wide is the neck?

February 20

Sylver commented on Jess's photo 'CBG -- #6 & #7 007'

Could we have a look inside? Would you mind uploading a little of something, just to listen to what does it sound like?. -thumb up, friend. Really fine job!

February 20

Sylver commented on Jess's photo 'CBG -- #6 & #7 007'

It's just beauty!!

February 20

Jess's Photos

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Jess's Blog

#7 -- 'Gutshaker'

I just finished the 'Gutshaker', a bass created from an old silverware box I found at a secondhand store, which is adorned with my handpainted version of Ed Roth's Rat Fink and oldskool pinstriping on the back, my second most favorite hobby after CBGs. To compliment the sound holes and bridge, I helped myself to one of my wife's silver pie/cake servers for a tailstock (I hope she doesn't get too upset). This thing really sounds good, and it is a gutshaker, when amped.… Continue

Posted on February 19, 2010 at 3:28pm —

#6 -- 'Playboy'

… Continue

Posted on February 19, 2010 at 3:15pm — 2 Comments

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and enthusiastic support for the boxes I've built. I really don't know what I'm doing, but I'm learning from all of you, and it seems like each guitar is a little better than the one before. I've had a lot of hobbies over the years, but without doubt this CBG thing is my favorite. And, thanks to Shane for starting the 'Nation'. I wouldn't have gotten into this without the lead provided by this site.

Posted on February 6, 2010 at 12:31am — 1 Comment

More Photos of 'TotalRojo' Guitars

I've been so busy working on my current 'TotalRojo' guitar that I have not uploaded photos of creations #3; 4; or 5.

The name for my guitars (TotalRojo) originated from a trip my wife and I took to Cancun. We were on the beach and I decided to go to the cabana for towels. The kid asked my name and when I told him it was Allred, he said, "Oh, Mr. Todo Rojo." We had a good laugh, and from then on, I was known to the waiters by that version of my name. For various reasons and uses, I bastardized t… Continue

Posted on February 4, 2010 at 3:29pm — 1 Comment

Comment Wall (27 comments)

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At 12:25am on February 21, 2010, Jess said…: Hey, Jef, how ya doin? Thanks for the b'day greet. I don't know about the young part, I'm now 69, and still crazy after all these years. {;-)=

At 9:56pm on February 20, 2010, Jef Long said…: Happy birthday young fella :)

At 5:30pm on February 16, 2010, Stefan Tofari said…: thanks mate, yea the cohiba looks a bit mad, there covers are from fold up card speakers from the pound shop, it sounds really good and quite loud i`m well pleased with that one, the tele came out nice but to get it to play properly i think i glued the neck on wrong i don`t thik its on square so got to tweek it ,but thanks for comments, my next project is a tin but hav`nt decided if its going to be 3 or 4 string i`ll upload some pics when done,,,,see ya!!

At 7:10pm on February 15, 2010, Diane in Chicago said…: Alas, the interest in the Chicago CBG Get Together has been underwhelming. I'll try again later, maybe after the weather warms up. I am surprised!

At 12:55pm on February 11, 2010, Joker said…: Jess, your builds are fantastic. Keep it up!

At 2:36am on February 5, 2010, Dianne Woods said…: Jess, great job on your builds. Great detail.

At 12:52am on January 12, 2010, Al Allen (Hangten) said…: Jess, I'll let you know on the UKE. I'm getting materials together now and starting to make a plan. Seems to be lots of info on the web - just more to confuse me with! Ha!

At 1:24am on January 11, 2010, Al Allen (Hangten) said…: Jess, thanks for the friend request. Trying to get info together to build my first UKE. Keep up your good work, I love it.

At 11:24pm on January 9, 2010, Bluesheart said…: Thanks Jess. You're doing some fine work on those guitars. Great attention to detail.

At 9:23pm on January 9, 2010, Jess said…: RL: Yes, it is amplified, but accoustically it really does sound rich and vibrant. I got lucky. I'm going to try the offset on another very different and larger box to see what happens. Besides, I think from a visual prespective the offset looks better.