3 String Fretless Reso Cigar Box Guitar - New Song "Lay My Hat Down"

Lots of my music available here https://bemuzic.bandcamp.com/

I came in late on the last verse, but I only finished writing it a few hrs before filming it, so I wasn’t likely to get through it with no mistakes!

I’ve mainly put it on to show fellow Cambridge busker Banjo Nick, as I wrote it with the intention of us playing it together when we meet up busking, if he likes it.

GUITAR INFO

It’s also to show my newly finished 3 string Cigar box reso.
It’s the first guitar I’ve made that isn’t a through neck, so that was all a bit new. I was intending to fret it, but loved the wavy lines going up the neck (walnut) and didn’t want to cut across it, so decided to leave it fretless. I’m also really enjoying playing something fretless for a change…a lovely old time sound.
I was intending to put a flatpup on it as well as a rod piezo in the biscuit bridge, but decided to leave that off as I like the piezo sound as it captures the resoness (not a word??!)
The scale length is 23”
The strings are Zebra DR acoustic/electric. I bought them when I thought I was going to put a magnetic as well as piezo, as they work with either, and left them on as I liked them. I’ve used the D,G and B strings (24,32,42)
The nut and bridge are unbleached bone. The reso cone is a 5 1/2" one made by Charles Atchison. I bought two, so I may make a similar one, but fretted at some point. You can buy them here https://www.cbgitty.com/cigar-box-guitar-parts/resonator-parts/5-5-inch-lightning-spun-aluminum-cigar-box-resonator-cone-by-charles-atchison/ I also vaguely followed his building instructions http://www.charlesatchison.com/#!build-a-resonator-cigar-box-guitar/c1uyj
The tuners are these from Chickenbone John http://chickenbonejohn.myshopify.com/products/epiphone-deluxe-machineheads-2-1 I really like them, both for the nice retro look, and also they turn nice and smoothly. Much nicer than the cheapy eBay ones I’ve been using. The slide is also one from Chickenbone John - one of these http://chickenbonejohn.myshopify.com/products/daddario-chromed-brass-slide It's worth having a browse on Johns page as he has some good quality stuff! I got this slide for busking as I keep breaking glass ones : -/ Like it a lot but wouldn't use it for recording as when playing a guitar with a magnetic pickup I get a slight crackle. Can't notice it while busking though, with street noise etc.
I'm most often tuned A,E,A, but for this song I went down to G,D,G as I thought it’d be better for Nick in G?

Filmed with a GoPro Hero 4

Views: 1089

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Comment by Janis Wilson Hughes on April 15, 2016 at 2:17am

I love seeing your builds and hearing your music! You're an inspiration to me as another female builder and player. Your looping skills are great! I got a looper to use with my 'regular' guitars last year before I started building cbgs, and I haven't gotten the hang of the looper yet. But in the mean time I'm having a blast learning to play slide. I dig your style of playing. 

My husband was just talking about wanting to build a reso. I bet when I show him this, he'll really be pumped. I actually live in the same town with Charles Atchison. We've talked before, but I haven't met him in person yet. Really nice guy and top notch builder and musician.

Anyway, your reso sounds great! Fantastic job! Loved the performance, too! Thank you for posting it!

Comment by bemuzic on April 14, 2016 at 12:59am

thanks Bluesheart and gary

Comment by gary sheldon on April 13, 2016 at 4:49pm

I always like your videos and am impressed with your building, playing and attitude.  Also liked all the info about the build and recording.  

Comment by Bluesheart on April 13, 2016 at 4:09pm

Wow, great job on the tune and thanks for all the info too!

Comment by Bruce on April 13, 2016 at 11:27am

Thanks for the information on the looper. Mine is an Electroharmonix 720. I like it a lot, but that double loop feature sure would be handy. I may look into a 22500 someday.

Comment by Dan Sirman on April 13, 2016 at 11:18am
I really enjoyed the video. Great song. Thanks for posting it.
Comment by bemuzic on April 13, 2016 at 11:01am

Slow Blues Dani,

Mostly I do quite short loops, just one or two bars, but it's good to have the option of doing longer.

 You could always have a look on eBay. Used ones can go quite cheaply....

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on April 13, 2016 at 6:11am

Interesting to hear which one you're using, bemuzic, and first hand experience is always a bonus. I was looking at a Boss one just a few hours ago that gives 12 minutes of looping. I had no idea. I've only ever really looked at the multi effects pedals which were around 40 seconds loop time. The 40 seconds wouldn't really be enough for me I feel and so, once funds permit, I think I'll try the Boss pedal. £75 a pop isn't overly expensive either, just a little rich for my blood right now. BTW, I keep finding myself coming back to this video for another sneaky watch. I really, really love it. Something to aspire to!

Comment by bemuzic on April 13, 2016 at 5:22am

thanks everyone!

Bruce, yeah well spotted. I am using an Electroharmonix 22500 which I haven't had that long and am just getting to grips with. You have two separate channels and can do a short one on the first one, then a longer one on the 2nd if you want, which is useful...

Comment by Dan Sleep on April 13, 2016 at 4:06am

Well done!!!

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