Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Thomas A. Boatwright on December 19, 2009 at 3:22pm

What I do is measure out and mark the part you need to cut out. Then take a small saw and cut down the depth you need in in slots about 1/2 inch apart. Then take you chisel and pry out each chunk youve created. It'll be ragged, but you can use a file or something and smooth it all out. Ive got where I can do it in about an hour or so. Im carving in oak too.

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Permalink Reply by James Bush on December 19, 2009 at 3:54pm

Thomas,
Thats what we used to do but takes way to long and you end up having to sand it out. It's takes about ten minutes setting up your band and cutting 1/4" off the back until you get to the front lid mark. If you don't have a band saw, yes that is the way to go as Thomas mentions.

Thomas A. Boatwright said:

What I do is measure out and mark the part you need to cut out. Then take a small saw and cut down the depth you need in in slots about 1/2 inch apart. Then take you chisel and pry out each chunk youve created. It'll be ragged, but you can use a file or something and smooth it all out. Ive got where I can do it in about an hour or so. Im carving in oak too.

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Permalink Reply by Tres Seaver on December 19, 2009 at 4:45pm

Esteban Celis said:

Its 1/4 of an inch (my brain was malfunctioning). Whats the best way to do this w/o a router?

I cut down at the ends of the "dado" using a back saw to the desired depth, then cut at ~ 1/2 " intervals between the two ends to the same depth. At that point, I use a chisel to "chip" up the bits between the cuts, and smooth it out. I go over it with a rasp and file at the end to get it level. Doing this in poplar for a 9" box takes maybe a half an hour, max (I did one this evening, in fact). In oak, or a similar hardwood, it takes a little longer.

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Permalink Reply by Esteban Celis on December 20, 2009 at 1:55am

Many thanks to all for the suggestions, which I will follow with the tools that I have. This is a great forum with great people.

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Permalink Reply by Wade on December 20, 2009 at 5:39am

Adding a 1/4'' fretboard to the neck may be the way to go. It will save time instead of all that cutting(you may still need to cut some). It will give you a stronger neck. Also, by adding a fretboard you get the strings higher off the body(box) which results in a larger string break angle at the bridge and should give you more volume out of your CBG.

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Permalink Reply by Esteban Celis on December 20, 2009 at 9:55am

Any recommendations on where to get inexpensive fretboards?

Wade said:

Adding a 1/4'' fretboard to the neck may be the way to go. It will save time instead of all that cutting(you may still need to cut some). It will give you a stronger neck. Also, by adding a fretboard you get the strings higher off the body(box) which results in a larger string break angle at the bridge and should give you more volume out of your CBG.

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on December 20, 2009 at 10:03am

1/4" oak strip from Lowes or Home Depot but you will have to fret it yourself. It isn't hard but daunting if you've never done it before. I bet if you ask, someone* here might fret one for you (I'd be glad to for cost + a small gratuity). I can even put in perloid fret markers if you like.

There is also a great thread here that goes into fretting.

- WY

Esteban Celis said:

Any recommendations on where to get inexpensive fretboards?
Wade said:

Adding a 1/4'' fretboard to the neck may be the way to go. It will save time instead of all that cutting(you may still need to cut some). It will give you a stronger neck. Also, by adding a fretboard you get the strings higher off the body(box) which results in a larger string break angle at the bridge and should give you more volume out of your CBG.

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Permalink Reply by Crow on December 21, 2009 at 2:29am

i say forget all of that. i don't have the tools to set up the neck-in-body arrangement, so i just don't worry about it.

i build all my instruments like a stick dulcimer - the 1x2 is the entire instrument, from the tuning head right down to the string stops at the tail. that peice of wood is treated like a complete instrument. once it is finished, it is then bolted to the face of whatever resonator i want. look at my videos and you'll see what i mean.

works for me. no fuss, no muss, and i can swap my necks to different bodies in less than 1 minute if i want. also, i always mount to the "body" side of the box or can, leaving the lid on the back. this way i can always open up the instrument for wiring or adjustment later.

some cigar boxes have no clasp on them. these i hold closed with electric tape around the entire circumference of the box, covering the gap. it dresses it up nicely too.

here's some videos. hope they help!!!

cardboard box guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd5jEWV4By8
and sample of it being played:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU8BMoxdINc

next, i moved up to a cookie tin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEGM8HZ_xow
and a sample of a cookie tin being played:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkj5F0rUlpg

finally, i started building with cigar boxes, with the exact same construction method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cyPID1FinM
and of course one of the videos with me playing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM5RchVyihc

my build method avoids all the issues involved with fretboard height vs box face height and so on. it allows me to worry more about the other aspects of instrument construction, and produces an "stick instrument" that is ready for any kind of body. in the future i plan to make cutouts of popular electric guitar shapes from some nice plywood and bolt them on. frets can be installed like any other neck. i've used wooden toothpicks before, and i plan to build another with them soon.

hope this helps!!!

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on December 21, 2009 at 4:33am

Crow,

this construction design is time proven in mountain dulcimers..... I watched your links.... You've done a great job....

the best,

Wichita Sam

Crow said:

i say forget all of that. i don't have the tools to set up the neck-in-body arrangement, so i just don't worry about it.

i build all my instruments like a stick dulcimer - the 1x2 is the entire instrument, from the tuning head right down to the string stops at the tail. that peice of wood is treated like a complete instrument. once it is finished, it is then bolted to the face of whatever resonator i want. look at my videos and you'll see what i mean.

works for me. no fuss, no muss, and i can swap my necks to different bodies in less than 1 minute if i want. also, i always mount to the "body" side of the box or can, leaving the lid on the back. this way i can always open up the instrument for wiring or adjustment later.

some cigar boxes have no clasp on them. these i hold closed with electric tape around the entire circumference of the box, covering the gap. it dresses it up nicely too.

here's some videos. hope they help!!!

cardboard box guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd5jEWV4By8
and sample of it being played:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU8BMoxdINc

next, i moved up to a cookie tin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEGM8HZ_xow
and a sample of a cookie tin being played:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkj5F0rUlpg

finally, i started building with cigar boxes, with the exact same construction method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cyPID1FinM
and of course one of the videos with me playing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM5RchVyihc

my build method avoids all the issues involved with fretboard height vs box face height and so on. it allows me to worry more about the other aspects of instrument construction, and produces an "stick instrument" that is ready for any kind of body. in the future i plan to make cutouts of popular electric guitar shapes from some nice plywood and bolt them on. frets can be installed like any other neck. i've used wooden toothpicks before, and i plan to build another with them soon.

hope this helps!!!

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Permalink Reply by Esteban Celis on December 21, 2009 at 6:53am

Crow,

Many thanks for your response. Would it be possible to get more details on how you made your guitars? The general concept is really neat!

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on December 21, 2009 at 7:02am

Check out the 'Free Plans' under 'Free Resources'. I'm sure we all have our madness and method but mostly the plans here will get you in the right direction. Sam builds differently than I as does Josh, John, Shane, etc (big names here), so the best way is to build and build again -- but better ;-)

-WY

Esteban Celis said:

Crow,
Many thanks for your response. Would it be possible to get more details on how you made your guitars? The general concept is really neat!

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on December 21, 2009 at 7:11am

Wes,

You're right... everyone builds differently.... there's a lot of ways to solve construction problems... and you're right again, the best way to learn is to build and build some more.... Look at stuff you like and ask questions....

the best,

Sam

Wes Yates said:

Check out the 'Free Plans' under 'Free Resources'. I'm sure we all have our madness and method but mostly the plans here will get you in the right direction. Sam builds differently than I as does Josh, John, Shane, etc (big names here), so the best way is to build and build again -- but better ;-)

-WY

Esteban Celis said:

Crow,
Many thanks for your response. Would it be possible to get more details on how you made your guitars? The general concept is really neat!

• ▶ Reply

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