Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Yankee Dog on January 30, 2014 at 12:58pm

you need and older one with thin metal and not much paint. The newer ones are dead sounding. 

Dont worry about the raised letters. You can find a way around that problems. 

The flat ones have zero ring to them.  At least the ones Alabama gives away

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Permalink Reply by Yankee Dog on January 30, 2014 at 1:00pm

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on January 30, 2014 at 2:30pm

I build a simple box and put the plate on top.  I find a spot for the saddle, but at least once, it was hard to make the saddle even and right due to the letter spacing. 

I like mine, but like the acoustic sound of a cigar box better.  I have used both piezos and pups. 

I say look for a plate and or year that means something to you.  Also, view Maddog's.  He makes some great ones and even posted a new pic today.

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Permalink Reply by The Capo Kid on January 31, 2014 at 1:05am

 Thanks Uncle J , can't see the pic ?

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Permalink Reply by robert jones on January 31, 2014 at 3:51am

Haven't had much success with license plate guitars...cool look but the sound quality just wasn't there.

On the two I've built I ended up replacing the license plates with pieces of brass kickplate salvaged off an old door for a significant tone improvement.

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Permalink Reply by jawbone on January 31, 2014 at 4:21am

I like Lic Plate gits, especially if there is a story behind the plate. I try to fit the bridge in so it looks like it was supposed to be there. I try to make it look like the number or try to be between. I route the bottom to fit the profile somewhat, so it has a stable base. I like the quasi - reso sound you can sometimes get.

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Permalink Reply by Maddog on January 31, 2014 at 4:46am

Hey there Capo Kid,

License Plate Reso's are great instruments and the sound from them is so unique. I like the heavier older steel plates but the aluminums work fine also.

Here's a Youtube vid of Justin Johnson playing my old 1915 Iowa Plate Reso build with a chrome covered humbucker pickup. He's playing it through one of my CBG amps built with an old 6x9 Ford truck speaker :-) Justin is playing in my the Maddog CBG store here in Nebraska when he was here last fall, he's is a very good person to watch for how to vids and his music is amazing. Awesome performer, if you have a chance to see him on his next trip to the UK I would highly recomend it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-TmomYsuP4

Like John mentioned, go through my pics and a lot of the other folks pics and check out the different styes. I look for plates that are either unique, have a personal connection to me or the person I'm building it for or are really OLD and crusty rusty antique vintage and COOL!

Have Fun!!!

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Permalink Reply by The Capo Kid on February 3, 2014 at 1:01am

 Thanks for that , great video and great sounding guitar

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Permalink Reply by J smits on February 3, 2014 at 12:22pm

hey guys. i am new to the forum and seem unable to post a new thread.

i have some questions about license plate cbs. can i ask them here?

unfortunately i have no idea how to build, so i will have to purchase. i am wondering where i could purchase one like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-TmomYsuP4

any idea what pickup (humbucker?) and amp he's using?

also, what are the pros and cons of a 3 string vs 4 string model? is it possible to play chords on these, or would that require a six string model?

i was speaking with these folks (www.sanercigarboxguitars.com/guitars.html) via email. are they good builders? are there other companies i should get into contact with? i love the look and sound of the youtube i posted, so i am looking for something of that design and quality. perhaps with more strings. thanks.

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Permalink Reply by The Capo Kid on February 3, 2014 at 11:14pm

 Well if you read the above post you'll see it's made by Maddog  ???

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Permalink Reply by J smits on February 4, 2014 at 1:10am

i saw that after posting.

how do i find his website? when i type maddog cigar box into google it sends me to this page: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/Maddog98?xg_source=activity

but where can i actually order a cbg or amp from this builder?

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Permalink Reply by The Capo Kid on February 4, 2014 at 1:19am

 Send him a friend request and when your friends you can message him as too buying Guitars .

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