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

John Hopper's Comments

Comment Wall (19 comments)

At 4:03pm on March 17, 2013, robert h. seay said…: hey john i see we are friends on c.b.n. very kool i live in ft.collins co. it would be great to get together some time. are you a bulider or a player. i work tue. thru sat. sunday is good for me let me know.

At 4:33pm on March 10, 2013, Gary T Nordby said…: HI John I do not have any photos of the back side I will have to turn it over and take some Its pretty much just like a banjo I left a 3/4 X 3/4 stick on the neck when I made it so it goes all the way through with a wood block I used for a nut on the other side and a long screw holding it all together . I will take some photos of it that mite help was a fun project . I have made several for friends and relatives the kids really like them . it all needs to be cut to fit the shape of the pan . I used a 8 in cake pan I got at the local Dollar store .

At 2:33pm on March 10, 2013, Scott aka Farmer Ted said…: Hey John,

I made this one on a whim...followed my instincts. Has a chunk of rock maple been staring at me for over a year, and got the inspiration to turn it into the walking stick bass thru a suggestion from my dad.

No plans done on it, but I do plan on doing more to diversify my line of guitar offerings.

At 2:43am on November 1, 2012, Marcus P. Clarke said…: Good to know your so close. I'll be going to Florida for about a week should be home by the 10th Nov. My email is peterclarke20@comcast.net Phone is 303-862-9988. I live real close to Lincoln & Jordan Rd.

At 11:11pm on September 25, 2012, Yellowbelly Flatt said…: Hi John, I believe that you were asking about slide playing on ukuleles. I regularly play slide on a cigar box baritone ukulele and a "regular" baritone ukulele. I use steel baritone ukulele strings on both instruments as nylon doesn't seem to work well. The cigar box ukulele is for electric use and sounds great. I normally use Spanish tuning in the key of G.

I have built a reso style CBG but I used an upturned pie dish for the cone,

At 11:56am on December 9, 2011, Shelley said…: Banjo uke is looking adorable. Can't wait to see/hear it strung up. : )

At 12:38pm on December 7, 2011, Mike "Katfish" Karash said…: Howdy John, been a few years since the wife and I have been to CO for skiing, but it is magnificent! Gotta be great to sit and strum to that view!

At 1:12pm on November 9, 2011, Uncle John said…: Hi,

John Hopper, the reso uke and spoot tail piece man. I'm glad to have you for a nation friend. I like your builds, the Tabak one for sure. I like your photo. You look like a grizzled cavalry man.

John

At 6:17pm on January 17, 2011, Jim Mitchell said…: Well as far as making them goes you might ask Rooster Man. There is a video on YouTube from the guys at National. I buy my cones from Frank at Republic Guitars in Texas. The best thing I can tell you is everything needs to be solid and watch your break angle.

If you are going to go steel string use a tail stock. I had issues with pulling the top off when I used the holes in a purchased cover plate. Now I bang my cover plates out of sheet stock I buy at Home Depot. I have a bunch of pic's on my page, there is also a video from Pat Cook making one of his Reso's . Hope it helps the cause. Jim

At 3:53pm on January 17, 2011, Jim Mitchell said…: Hey John I have built a few resonators. I did not write the book on them but I might be able to help with a few ideas. What is it you want to know? BTW I think the video you were talking about was by Rooster Man. He is here on the Nation.

Take care - Jim

At 1:22am on December 21, 2010, Ukecansam said…: Thanks John,

You have some really cool stuff. Love the Uke you made. I am going to try that one.

Ukecan Sam

At 6:16am on November 12, 2010, Bluesheart said…: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/openup-1?context=album&albumId=2592684%3AAlbum%3A228191

strings from inside

At 6:10am on November 12, 2010, Bluesheart said…: The sound hole and strings holes on Smokerings are brass grommets. The 3 larger ones came from hardware store, the small ones for the strings from sewing store.I'm not sure if I have a pic of the strings inside, but they just go thru small holes in the neck and out thru the top/grommets.

At 2:38am on February 16, 2010, Fergus Morris said…: Yeah, it's just secured with two screws from the back which double up as anchors for the strings, like so:

The only other method i have tried for ukes is having them bolt on to a bit that sticks outside the box which is held in place with two screws in a similar fashion. That one is good because you can adjust the neck angle. ( http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/ukulele-bolt-on-neck) Hope this helps, though i am sure there are lots of people here who know how to do this the 'proper' way!

At 1:24pm on January 26, 2010, Tim Gale said…: Hey John, welcome to the group. I'm pretty new at this myself, but it very addicting. Looks like your CBU is coming along nicely. I like that you put the neck coming off the corner rather then straight out the side. Very cool. Works great with that box. Does the neck go through the box?

At 8:22am on January 26, 2010, Nathan King said…: Hey John,
I see ya found the CO group ok. Most of the groups here you can simply join by clicking on the join button... a few of 'em ya need approval for, but most of 'em ya don't.

We've never had a "group meeting" for all of us CO folks, but that'd be cool to do sometime further on down the road!

As far as the uke building goes, I've not made one myself... but I have made a fair amount of 3 stringers. I've found that most people on this site are more than willing to answer any questions you may have.

At 7:31am on January 26, 2010, Tres Seaver said…: Welcome aboard, John! You will find lots of helpful folks and information here on all things CBG (CBU, CBB, etc.) Feel free to poke around, ask questions, and post your stuff (photos, recordings, videos, etc.).

Most of all, have fun!

Tres