Guys and gals, I am very new here, and will complete my first CBG today, if the soldering goes well. Haven't done it in 40 years.
I just wanted to say, though, that I am seeing a lot of zinc-coated or plated bolts and eyebolts being used as nuts and bridges. I think leaving them in the store-bought state conflicts with the old-time aesthetic that is one of the appeals, at least to me, of the instrument.
Therefore, can I suggest you strip the bright coating and fire-blue your nuts and eyebolts? You can do it with a propane torch or even in the fireplace. Just burn off the coating (in good ventilation, as zinc vapors are deadly!) and then drop the hot item in cold water to quench and split off the residue. I then carefully polish on a wire wheel and reheat slowly to blue, cool again and rub on some beeswax while the metal is still warm.
You can go one better if you can heat to red then hammer out the curve of the U-hook or eyebolt, taper it, the scroll it. All you need for this is a heat source, tongs or Vise-grip, ball peen hammer and a hard surface -- anvil or piece or railroad track.
Here is the bridge I made yesterday, and the nut, cut from a large spike and heat blued:
[IMG]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b356/BillOregon/IMG_0010_zps70999...[/IMG]
Respectfully yours, Bill
Tags:
Hardware store bought bolts are old time asthetic, old time players didn't patina their parts on purpose they got that way from extended handling/playing,plus it's how they come these days,unless u can find some old recycled bolts.There's no rules in CBGs,It's a freeform art.to each his own
Brian, agree, although you would have been more likely to find uncoated 100 years ago. I was somehow thinking of the old Depression-era skill of making twig furniture using fire blued nails scrounged from the sites of burnt-down buildings. Seems "all of one piece" to me, if you get my drift.
Those standard eye bolts are like PT Cruisers. The first couple hundred times you see them you say "Thats cool!" After you see your millionth you kind of look right past it or maybe even "yawn". Have to give you credit. You gave that eye bolt some real character!
Thanks for sharing.
Wade
Thanks guys. I actually have a hammer and two forges, so like to mash up my metal a bit when I get the chance. I put my CBG together about an hour ago, and the tone is incredible and the sustains seem to go on forever. Wish I could play the thing ...
:-)
Here's a quick Youtube for the sound ...
looks cool ,
Heh, that's bad to the bone!
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Taffy Evans 10 hours ago. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. 14 hours ago. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 8 Replies 1 Like
Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. Apr 25. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango Apr 22. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!