Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on April 13, 2012 at 8:38am

You may do well to find a festival or something where you can get your hands and ears on some instruments before you buy. Every one of these things will sound different and even the same one will sound different according to who is playing it. There is a section here on festival and events, maybe start there.

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Permalink Reply by Urban Bill on April 13, 2012 at 9:02am

I recently took the plunge and purchased my first CBG.  Spent about two years "window shopping" to see what's what.  Lots to choose from:  Fretted or fretless, piezo or magnetic, small box, large box, etc,.

In the end, I decided on fretted, piezo (with volume knob), and three strings.

The piezo does cleans really well.  Throw on some reverb for instant Bo Diddley stomp.  Switch on the tremolo for that Link Wray spaghetti western twang.  Tends to sound brittle and harsh when I crank up the drive.  I'm still experimenting to find that sweet, gritty spot.

All in all, I'm happy with my choice.  Just take your time and explore all the options and I'm sure you will be too.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on April 13, 2012 at 9:15am

Adam,

Have you seen Uncle Crow's 1-hour build vid? If you can cut your thumb with a screwdriver, you can build one o' them. No, really, a guy with such a nice beard and no handyman skills can actually do this! ;-) Also, contact Keni Lee Burgess, see if he knows of any NJ builders or upcoming festivals near you so you can try before buying. Unless you have some knowledge of the builder, I'd stay away from the Bay.

Most of us have built, and have purchased. It's kinda like a little family recognition or appreciation thing. I've purchased gits from Harrison Withers, Shane Speal, and by proxy, Wichita Sam. I've got my eye on a custom smokestack build, for example, but I'm also still building my own. Nothing sez you can't do both, or one, or neither. No Rules!

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Permalink Reply by Andy Eight Spades CBG on April 13, 2012 at 10:20am

Go with a mag pickup like a single coil......you can always get a 5 buck acoustic piezo clipon from ebay and then you have both! 

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Permalink Reply by adam lichtman on April 13, 2012 at 11:15am

I gotta say, Im astounded with how cool everyone is and how willing to help you guys are. Thanks especially on the comment on the beard haha. Your right, with a beard like this I should have some handyman skills! As for festivals I totally intend on going to the York festival in August. Wish I could say that i'd be able to hold off till then to buy one after I really get my hands on one, but lets be honest, I'll bite on something before then. There is a guitar convention in NJ this weekend that I won't be able to get to due to work, there is a CBG builder there also, but sadly I'll miss out. 

 Ebay does seem to be a bit tricky. Real nice stuff on there, to shabby kinda stuff. I was considering a Shane Speal build, reasonable priced, but not sure it's the tone i wanted. Not to say effects and amp won't help that. But ya just gotta feel it ya know. I did see a beautiful Smokestack on there but a bit pricey considering Im still buying my first. Does anyone have any input on Braxtone CBG's? There is a really nice looking one I had seen on his sight but no video to show how it sounds. A bit in the higher price range but if it's worth it I'd do it.  Wish I had the option to sit and tinker with a few. 

 Again, Thanks so much for the help. Everyone here has been a tremendous help. Thanks for putting up with my rookie questions.

Adam

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Permalink Reply by Clock The Wolf on April 13, 2012 at 1:04pm

Braxtone is Braxton Nagle. He's on this site, and is an excellent builder. Keep in mind that his CBG's tend towards having a low down and mean growling sound http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/bodie-ca, with a rather high action. He'd probably make you one with a lower more easily fretable action if you ask him to.

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Permalink Reply by John Stevenson on April 13, 2012 at 12:29pm

Two of my favorite cbgs (4 string) have a piezo in the bridge and a mini humbucker in the neck and a 3 way switch w volume and tone pots.  This design has great tones across the whole spectrum.   Not talking any particular builder, but that type of design seems to do it all for my ears. 

 john

 

 

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on April 13, 2012 at 12:35pm

Find someone local and go meet him, play a bunch of em at his place. DOnt be sucked in by the 'fretless for slide' rubbish, don't see ry cooder ripping frets out do you?

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Permalink Reply by Lonman on April 13, 2012 at 1:23pm

snap!, that is a good point- - hahaha love that one.

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Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on April 13, 2012 at 1:44pm

http://youtu.be/jyeOncV0J-g

Enjoy the search, Keni Lee

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on April 13, 2012 at 3:39pm

most important thing, either buy from an established builder that will answer questions or buy a CBG that you can hear before you plunk down hard earned coin.   To many EBay offerings by builders who are trying to finance their hobby by dumping their nearly unplayable junk on an uninformed buyer.

 

just some thoughts,

 

or, building is good, maybe finding a quality builder that will "kit" a CBG in ARTP (almost ready to play) form.

 

the best,

 

Wichita Sam

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on April 13, 2012 at 3:45pm

There's a lot of quality builders, but best value for money in USA IMHO is jay from tiny guitars find him here. I'd recommend a strumstick, dulci kinda fretting for your first one, help u learn scales and u can still slide on it. Add a capo to learn minor modes

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