Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tracy Kennedy on July 15, 2010 at 1:54pm

Thanks LJ

L.J. said:

I dont care If you play or not. You got some pretty nice builds. I esspecially like the one with the back mounted reso box. I was thinking about doing that for a bass to gain the scale length I needed. And about a day after I started talking about doing it I came in here and saw yours posted. I Guess I wont be the first.
I am a player and a builder but i still feel as if I suck on the CBG. I feel much more comfortable with fretted 6 strings but I keep building 3 and 4 stringers anyways.If it makes you happy, DO IT.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Uncle John on July 15, 2010 at 2:00pm

My current favorite is built from an aluminum ammo box. A guy on the nation recently showed a nice looking piece built from a bible box. That big box Kenni Lee plays was some interesting thing. For me, the lesson has been the tap and thump tests. Some of the prettiest boxes don't sound good. Gees, I just came inside from gibing my metal rural style mail box the tap test. Not bad!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on July 16, 2010 at 3:36am

I disagree. A guitar builder should be a player too. If you don't play, how do you know how a guitar should perform optimally? Form follows function. Please understand in no way do I want to be negative. If you enjoy building, continue to enjoy and certainly you will learn more from the feedback from the players of your instruments. I just want to encourage you and all the builders out there to explore playing. We need to see more videos with a musical demonstration included. Shane is a builder and an excellent player. He sets a fine example for the Nation. To be honest, I am a player, not a builder, so I rely on craftsmen like yourself. You are also correct, there is a place for everyone here. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Enjoy, Keni Lee

Tracy Kennedy said:

Well I suppose it doesnt much matter what I build since I cant play what I build. The entire notion of being able to play what you build I feel is a moot point. I build to build, I enjoy building CBG's. I find it an artistic expression on my behalf. I really dont think EVERY luthier out there today is able to play the instruments they build or any instrument for that matter. The fact is there are builders and players and some who can do both. Are you going to tell a carpenter he cant build house since he cant live in it? No he is building a house for someone else to live in and enjoy. Since Shane says "There are no Rules" I can only assume there isnt a rule that requires every builder to be able to play what they build. Besides as I see it, since I cant play they get to go to fine players who can enjoy them, play them, and appreciate them. Instead of piling up under my work bench.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tracy Kennedy on July 16, 2010 at 4:40am

Ill agree to a point. Please consider though, a professional luthier, has the luxury of building with top notch equipment, materials and many years of experience. He will typically build the same stuff day in and day out. A luthier has the luxury to nit pick every detail to make sure the intrument preforms just so. CBG builders on the other hand have stumbled into this hobby and use the most basic of tools. We dont get the pic of the litter when it comes to building a CBG cause we are using cigar boxes and sticks of wood and how the heck do you get a bed pan to preform "optimally"? its a bed pan, it will sound like a bed pan with a stick of wood and strings. How do you compare that to anything else? Is there musical theory that states how a bedpan should or should not preform? You know what, nevermind. Where is the 'Im beating my head against a wall" emoticon?

Kenny, Im sorry. Im sure you are a great person and means the best when you try to help others and suggest they be a player too. Something about the notion that for me to be able to play what I build just rubs me the wrong way. Some of us cant play. Some of us dont want too.

You know now, for some reason Im losing the desire to even build these damn things. I reckon its cause since I cant play they cant preform optimally. And who the hell would want a CBG that cant preform? Now where do I find the tab to disable my membership?

Keni Lee Burgess said:

I disagree. A guitar builder should be a player too. If you don't play, how do you know how a guitar should perform optimally? Form follows function. Please understand in no way do I want to be negative. If you enjoy building, continue to enjoy and certainly you will learn more from the feedback from the players of your instruments. I just want to encourage you and all the builders out there to explore playing. We need to see more videos with a musical demonstration included. Shane is a builder and an excellent player. He sets a fine example for the Nation. To be honest, I am a player, not a builder, so I rely on craftsmen like yourself. You are also correct, there is a place for everyone here. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Enjoy, Keni Lee

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by L.J. on July 16, 2010 at 10:35am

I dont think throwing in the towell is the answer bro. I do understand where Kenny is comming from. I have seen builds that look real nice, But in noway look like a playable instrument. If I bought a cbg from you and it arrived and the sound wasnt up to par. I would rework the issue out myself. And I would let you know respectfully what went down to help you avoid the issue again. If you enjoy building build. If your selling your stuff good. Just do what makes you feel good bro. No reason to take everyones feelings on your back. In this life you cant please everybody so work a lil harder at pleasing yourself. If I had money Id buy a CBG from every builder in here. Maybe do some kind of comparison discussion. But since I dont have any money Ill just keep building my own.

Tracy Kennedy said:

Ill agree to a point. Please consider though, a professional luthier, has the luxury of building with top notch equipment, materials and many years of experience. He will typically build the same stuff day in and day out. A luthier has the luxury to nit pick every detail to make sure the intrument preforms just so. CBG builders on the other hand have stumbled into this hobby and use the most basic of tools. We dont get the pic of the litter when it comes to building a CBG cause we are using cigar boxes and sticks of wood and how the heck do you get a bed pan to preform "optimally"? its a bed pan, it will sound like a bed pan with a stick of wood and strings. How do you compare that to anything else? Is there musical theory that states how a bedpan should or should not preform? You know what, nevermind. Where is the 'Im beating my head against a wall" emoticon?

Kenny, Im sorry. Im sure you are a great person and means the best when you try to help others and suggest they be a player too. Something about the notion that for me to be able to play what I build just rubs me the wrong way. Some of us cant play. Some of us dont want too.

You know now, for some reason Im losing the desire to even build these damn things. I reckon its cause since I cant play they cant preform optimally. And who the hell would want a CBG that cant preform? Now where do I find the tab to disable my membership?

Keni Lee Burgess said:

I disagree. A guitar builder should be a player too. If you don't play, how do you know how a guitar should perform optimally? Form follows function. Please understand in no way do I want to be negative. If you enjoy building, continue to enjoy and certainly you will learn more from the feedback from the players of your instruments. I just want to encourage you and all the builders out there to explore playing. We need to see more videos with a musical demonstration included. Shane is a builder and an excellent player. He sets a fine example for the Nation. To be honest, I am a player, not a builder, so I rely on craftsmen like yourself. You are also correct, there is a place for everyone here. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Enjoy, Keni Lee

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by christian pearson on July 17, 2010 at 4:00pm

i can say that i agree as well. for exm.. i have played for 13yrs on a reg guitar. but i never built before starting here. you can read all you want but at some point in time you will have to be hands on. so it goes both ways. as long as you have some one that can play that would test run the ones you build you would be tieing up any loose ends you mite have not seen. BUT TO EACH IS THERE OWN.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tracy Kennedy on July 18, 2010 at 7:46am

Well then its agreed. Ill stop building. It seems that since I cant play I am a discredited builder so there isnt any point in building any more. Look for my box collection to be on ebay soon. And Ill reserve my tools to build Pinewood Derby cars for my kids. Atleast those will be appreciated.

You folks take care, Happy building, and happy playing!

christian pearson said:

i can say that i agree as well. for exm.. i have played for 13yrs on a reg guitar. but i never built before starting here. you can read all you want but at some point in time you will have to be hands on. so it goes both ways. as long as you have some one that can play that would test run the ones you build you would be tieing up any loose ends you mite have not seen. BUT TO EACH IS THERE OWN.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by christian pearson on July 18, 2010 at 8:17am

well dont take it the wrong way its all opion. here. and you know i seen the builds you did and there great. i think you did a fantask job. so i take it back and keep my mouth shut on that one. i was in the wroung and sorry for it. now whats the next decussion about

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tracy Kennedy on July 18, 2010 at 10:31am

Well folks, this turned out to be a petty discussion on my part. For that I apologise. Some of us will have to agree to disagree. I just have to keep reminding myself that opinions are like @ssholes, everyone has one. And some of us cant help fom having diarreah of the mouth from time to time. On that note Im gonna keep on building and the naysayers can....well, you know what you can do. For some Happy Building! To me Happy Building!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David L. on July 18, 2010 at 10:38am

It sometimes surprises me how heated things can get - but I think it is good because it shows passion for CBGs - building or playing or both.

Whilst people can feel this fire for a box with a stick of wood then long live the Nation.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by L.J. on July 19, 2010 at 12:16am

CHECK OUT CROW. HES THE KING OF THE CARDBOARDBOX GUITAR!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tracy Kennedy on July 19, 2010 at 12:57am

And or stick on box construction

L.J. said:

CHECK OUT CROW. HES THE KING OF THE CARDBOARDBOX GUITAR!

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• Next ›
• Page