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Cigar Box Ukulele

Does your cigar box contain a jumping flea?

Members: 423
Latest Activity: Nov 29, 2023

Discussion Forum

Ukes For Gand kids

Started by Rupe Power. Last reply by Sal Monella Nov 11, 2022. 3 Replies

Hello from Nova ScotiaI have three grand daughters 8, 3 and 2 yrs old. I would like to build a Uke for each of them. Can anyone recommend a size or type.thanksContinue

Gitaulele

Started by Brown Water Jerry (Rice). Last reply by Kigar Mar 21, 2020. 1 Reply

I saw something the other day that qued my interest.  If you capo a regular guitar at the fifth fret you basically have a uke.  So.... if I saw a fret board at the fifth fret and put the bridge the…Continue

Semi-Uke Kit Build

Started by Brian Revels. Last reply by Brian Revels Oct 6, 2017. 8 Replies

So, I have been building Cigar Box Guitars, Canjos, Dulcijos,and Diddley Bows for a few years now. I wanted to try my hand at a Ukulele.I found a tenor uke maple neck with a pre-fretted rosewood…Continue

ideal narrow of the box?

Started by jose garcia paredes. Last reply by Kigar Sep 3, 2017. 3 Replies

Hi! i have a cigar box 22,5 x20x 5 cm......  Is good choice for a soprano uke?  Thanks!Continue

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Comment by gary sheldon on May 27, 2015 at 6:59pm

That is a very fine looking build. Complete with amp.   Yes, there is a lot of bracing and mass inside that box.  

I would suggest a couple of things for better acoustic sound  on future builds.  

The sound hole could be smaller and a little farther forward.  That would give you a larger effective sound board.  Or you could use F holes close to the front and  outboard, toward the edges.  The second  thing would be to use a slightly longer box which would put the bridge more forward.  Ideally it should be around 1/3 the distance between the back of the box and the front.  Putting more vibration near the center of the sound board.  Then reduce the mass of the internal bracing.  Along the sides and the rear, thin plywood would be adequate.  I didn't use any bracing except in the front of the box on Mellow Yellow.

The break angles are probably ok.  I couldn't tell from the photos.  

On my next build I will move the sound hole a bit more forward.  I have never used a block under the bridge, inside.  If the sound board dips excessively under the bridge, I put in 2 very thin longitudinal braces on edge.  I often make them from the extra "humidor" wood that comes inside the box.  Typically they are about 1/4" tall.  That adds a lot of strength with little mass.

I have learned these things by trial and error and also by reading articles here on Cigar Box Nation.

BTW, there will be a meeting June 7 in Roseville.  I will be going up.    

Comment by Cynthia on May 27, 2015 at 2:58pm

very clean build. Ive also finished my first build using the hanger bolt/jig. parrallel piezo's and a matching 9 volt amp. Lots of mistakes. The Brass Brick B lost all acoutics due to over bracing. advice on photo insert and string height, break,  is needed. However with amp on its perfect. Ill be looking fo... Thanks to Gary and Hal,  gurus

Comment by gary sheldon on May 24, 2015 at 2:05pm

Thanks, Will.

  Yes, I will be there.

  These Ashton Churchill boxes are hard to find and I grab every one I come across.

  This is my 2nd build with the hanger screw neck connection.  I am loving it.  here is a shot of the inside..  

Comment by Will King on May 24, 2015 at 1:54pm

Nice Gary!  I love the round edges on any box.  See you in 2 weeks?

Comment by gary sheldon on May 24, 2015 at 8:29am

My latest build.  Another concert uke.  This is my 10th uke.  Mellow Yellow.  The box is Ashton Churchill.  Upside down so the back opens for access.  Bolt on Poplar neck, Oak fretboard, Walnut trim on headstock.  Not quite finished.  I ran out of fretwire.  No piezo on this one.  It sounds good so far. 

Comment by gary sheldon on May 12, 2015 at 12:23pm

Thrift store find:

I found a really nice wood bowl.  The sides are vertical There are 21 pieces to the rim.  I was able to cut it in two for 2 banjo ukes.  My plan is to use the recycled plastic for the "drum head".  It won't be adjustable.  It will probably be attached with staples.  Any opinions on the non tunable head would be appreciated.  I plan to use the heat gun method on the plastic.  

My other find on the same day was a silverware box.  It was pretty sad looking when I got it.  I repaired it and sanded the finish off and took the interior out.  It was rather large for a guitar body. so I put a handle on it and a couple of clasps and I call it a brief case.

Comment by Will King on April 26, 2015 at 11:24am

Gary...Look on my page and at the bottom are my videos....I will be looking for your video....Will

Comment by gary sheldon on April 25, 2015 at 3:50am

Will,

I'll get a video posted in a few days.  Mine doesn't sound as good as I remember yours sounding at the Strum shop meet.  But it seems decent.

Comment by Will King on April 23, 2015 at 12:14pm

Thanks, Gary, but every thing I showed you was what I had learned on CBN from other members.  You are right about the cat bowl reinforcing.  After trying many degrees of reinforcing/support/place to hold screws, I liked best just putting a very small block of wood under the 4 screws that hold the cat bowl down.  I usually use the bottom of Padron flip top box because they have very nice sounding plywood.  The last 2 cat bowl resonator ukes I built were made with unfinished necks and finished fret boards, but I like the feel of the ones that I building with my own necks better.  Post a video of you playing so that we can hear it.  I think that I still have a video, somewhere, with me playing the 1st one I built.

Comment by gary sheldon on April 23, 2015 at 9:23am

A shout out for Will "ukulele king" King.  Will helped me a lot advising me about neck connection, various jigs, cat bowls and improving my fret end dressing.

Thanks for your help, Will.

 

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Discussion Forum

Ukes For Gand kids

Started by Rupe Power. Last reply by Sal Monella Nov 11, 2022. 3 Replies

Gitaulele

Started by Brown Water Jerry (Rice). Last reply by Kigar Mar 21, 2020. 1 Reply

Semi-Uke Kit Build

Started by Brian Revels. Last reply by Brian Revels Oct 6, 2017. 8 Replies

ideal narrow of the box?

Started by jose garcia paredes. Last reply by Kigar Sep 3, 2017. 3 Replies

Steel string advice sought for a chronic head scratcher (me)

Started by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear. Last reply by Bob Johnston May 1, 2017. 10 Replies

(CB) U bass help

Started by Kigar. Last reply by Ronald Whitford Apr 6, 2017. 1 Reply

Cigar Box Ukulele group on Facebook

Started by Kentucky Mojo Jan 31, 2017. 0 Replies

Classical Ball end strings

Started by John Hopper Dec 30, 2016. 0 Replies

String choices: nylon vs. steel

Started by Lane Martin. Last reply by gary sheldon Dec 3, 2016. 5 Replies

MDF Box Ukes

Started by Scott W. Last reply by Kentucky Mojo Nov 4, 2016. 7 Replies

My Brothers Christmas Present

Started by George Fitzgibbon. Last reply by George Fitzgibbon Oct 26, 2016. 6 Replies

CBU Avo Uvezian Tenor Uke

Started by Kigar. Last reply by Greg Thompson Jul 8, 2016. 5 Replies

Triangular Concert Uke

Started by Kigar. Last reply by Greg Thompson Jul 8, 2016. 4 Replies

First Build

Started by B. Kirkwood. Last reply by B. Kirkwood Apr 13, 2016. 2 Replies

Assembly Order

Started by B. Kirkwood. Last reply by B. Kirkwood Mar 29, 2016. 3 Replies

Neck length

Started by B. Kirkwood. Last reply by gary sheldon Mar 29, 2016. 3 Replies

reversed tuners on a uke - advise wanted

Started by Kigar. Last reply by gary sheldon Feb 23, 2016. 3 Replies

New to Uke!!

Started by jeffrey ross. Last reply by Habanera Hal Feb 17, 2016. 19 Replies

Great little video!

Started by Wade. Last reply by rusty case Feb 7, 2016. 2 Replies

Fretboard attachment

Started by gary sheldon. Last reply by rusty case Feb 7, 2016. 3 Replies

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A.D.EKER commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
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A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

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Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

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Project Punch!

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Punch Project!

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AGP #527 - ''Led-Zep 2''

"This build really strung you along Alan! Reminded me of all my fishing line experiments; a lot of…"
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Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Diggin’ the slow blues. I like that last pic Andries! Look at all those cool guitars. Yeah!!!"
9 hours ago
Dar Stellabotta posted a video

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

This video is the unboxing and the demonstration of a beautiful, six stringer built by Louie Lamanna. Join Louie and I June 15 at the second annual Pittsburg...
10 hours ago
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Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter to you too Andries! The passion is definitely in full swing. Turns out I’m…"
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Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter Doug ! the Passion is in full swing !"
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