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How do you come up with your design?

I have seen so many different guitar styles since joining this site. I dunno if its been asked before, but my question is this;

Other than a requested design, what makes you build that particular build? Do you ask for design ideas?

Do you build around box? Do you design and build your own box? Do you build the same ones over and over or do you build something different each time?

Here's my take. So far I built my first one with the idea of using an old doublehumbucker I had "laying" around. Having already purchased a random collection of ten boxes, I looked at each box and saw an idea.

Some became guitars, some amps.

I personally build around an idea that pops into my head. Once there, I have to create it.

The most recent is called Frog's Leg's (Blues Frog that is..)

I had a build idea, which I decided to double and call the twins.

The resulting long winded story, ends in me me coming up with what I call "Frog's Legs"

When I get seriously into something, it doesn't shut off when I go to sleep. I have solved many an"issue" in my sleep. With this set of guitars, the design also came while I slept. Can't say its the best idea, but "Frogs Legs" became the design.

So this is what the idea became. I've finished the first one, and will finish the second one soon. It's a twin to the first, but each will have their own sound.

So, what makes you build what you build. Share the idea behind one of your designs, and how it came to be.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JL on July 26, 2016 at 3:35am

strangely enough, my bench tests showed thin "tonewood" quality tops ring like a marimba, 1/2in mdf had a nice satisfying "thump".

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on July 26, 2016 at 11:28am

Made my cajon from 1/4" and 3/16" Lauan ply for the top,base, and two sides, and the beating / resonating sides. Use a drum pedal, gets a great deep boom...

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Permalink Reply by Blues Frog on July 26, 2016 at 4:55pm

1/2" mahogany plywood for the top, bottom, and three side. Just the tapas is made from 1/8" Birch . Nice bass sound to it. Deeper than the last one which had 1/4" birch for the tapas.

Got a couple of pieces of 1/8" left, just the right width for stomp boxes.

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Permalink Reply by Wade on July 25, 2016 at 1:53pm

I begin several ways - sometimes it is based on a theme (helps break out of the same old same old). I always try to add several found or repurposed/handmade items to give an authentic look that I have in my mind. As far as actual design, I thought of doing a video on that - I use the rule of thirds and several other golden section concepts as a rough guide to make things appear pleasing to the eye. (it is not as technical as it sounds! haha) The saying about no rules in cigar box guitar building is true, as a matter of fact, I try to break rules. I have failed many times, but always learn something from the experience.

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Permalink Reply by Blues Frog on July 25, 2016 at 4:47pm

There's always something that is repurposed on my gits, or handmade. The "Frog Leg" in the picture has a bridge made from an insert from a cigar box, and a piece of an old fiberglass dowel, that I think was from a tent pole or something. The nut is made out of an old teakwood dashboard from an old boat.

Of course that's half of the problem. I have all this stuff, and now I look at the stuff and see parts for guitars.

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Permalink Reply by Jonno on July 25, 2016 at 11:20pm

Lol . No way I could toss out some ale for a cbg. Not yet anyway he he. Only a matter of time before my little lady feels like she is playing second fiddle to a cbg. A man gotta do what a man gotta do.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Thompson on July 26, 2016 at 3:11am

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Where do you live? I'll come over to help you "remove" the contents :)

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on July 26, 2016 at 3:35am

30 glasses? better get another one just in case I need a drink after lunch as well

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Permalink Reply by JL on July 26, 2016 at 3:37am

hmm, I'd just have to take it to band practice 1 or 2 times to get the empty.

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Permalink Reply by Blues Frog on July 26, 2016 at 3:44am

That's alcohol abuse!

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on July 26, 2016 at 11:43am

"There's a Man upstairs
Who reduces all our cares
With a heavenly rain of brew.

He's our kind of guy -
Kinda crazy, kinda fly,
'Cuz he only drinks a few!

All the rest is for us,
And then there's this bonus:
It's a monthly free event

That is cause for us rats
And the mices, dawgs an' cats
To nightly sing the praises of this Gent!"

*buuurrrrrrrrppppp - hey, watch me do thisssssmmmmmfff *splash!* - Hahahahaha! Hey, you guys, look at Remy!*