Hey all,
Thinking of having an acoustic built, but before I dive into that, I was wondering if there was a consensus as to the best sounding boxes for an acoustic CBG? Cardboard or wood? Which box have you heard that sounded great. Yes, I am aware that all CBG's sound slightly different, but I also know I've never heard an electric Punch box sound that I didn't like. So what about acoustic boxes? Any recommendations?
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Cool. Thanks, Ron!
Hi, this was my main consideration when I started building CBG's and the best I've found is to build my own box. As I mentioned in a recent post I went to the extra effort of building an acoustic instrument based on acoustic guitar principals, top was 2.5mm cedar, back and sides 2.5 rosewood and I played with soundhole size and bracing. And it turned out a really nice sounding guitar [for a CBG] with plenty of volume, balanced tone and sustain. Its the one I take out in the garden to pick under the trees.
What I also got, and did not expect in such a small soundbox, was the added fullness of sound that came from strings that were not plucked but were vibrating sympathetically along with the strings that were plucked. There's nothing fixed to the top that would impede vibration. Its a six string with a maple neck.
Cheers Taff
Great info. I guess that's all well and good if you are building your own, but I'm going to try to find someone to build my acoustic CBG, and I'm thinking the odds I can find a builder who will actually "build" the box are slim, not to mention that would probably add alot more to the cost...a custom built box. Pretty git you got there though...I bet it sounds nice.
In my limited experience, I have never heard a box that sounded as good as the Las Cabrillas - Balboa box. Using .022", .030" and .042" strings (.015" for 4 string), the Cabrillas box is incredibly loud acoustically. It measures 8.5" x 11.75" x 2.25". I like the low growling sound of those heavy strings when playing blues and early rock.
That being said, if you are going to use light gauge strings like Gitty often uses, you can get some really brilliant sounds out of cardboard boxes. He tends to play more "old timey" type music.
So it just may be dependent on the size of the strings you use and the type of the music you play. And of course, the building techniques you use. For greatest sound you want the soundboard and the back of the guitar to be free of anything that will dampen the sound including the neck through. You should also put some bracing on the back of the cover to prevent box crush.
Good luck, I hope this helps.
It's interesting how so many of the acoustic CBG's DO NOT have sound holes, as almost every acoustic guitar has one. What's up with that?
So do sound holes add to the loudness at all? I notice alot of wooden boxed acoustics that have no sound holes.
Also, does anyone have anything to add in regards to things to look for in an acoustic build? What physical qualities? Parts, etc?
All guitars(solid body or hollow/semi-hollow body) will give of some volume when strummed. The louder ones are the better ones to have.
Sound holes are necessary if you want others to hear you that are more than a couple feet away or in a noisy area.
The best acoustic CBG is subject to personal taste. Things that matter most are strings, depth of the box, placement of the sound hole/holes, placement of the bridge and materials used. All these things listed make their own contribution to how a git sounds and many will argue over them. ;)
Again, if you use light gauge strings you will get really brilliant sounds without sound holes but if you are using heavier strings you will get more volume and a better sound with sound holes.
I once did an experiment where I built a CBG with no sound holes. Strung it up, played it, then put one sound hole in it. I made a huge difference. Put a second hole in it and it made a small difference.I have used round holes, f-holes, c- holes, put them around the bridge and put them close to the neck and didn't notice a big difference in sound.
There is always endless debate about boxes, holes, and hole placement so what ever I tell you there will be someone who will tell you just the opposite. If you are not making them, you just need to play it before you buy it.
An electric with very little acoustic sound due to the crap on the top. Improved with a side port, even removing the soundhole grill make a difference in acoustic volume.......but only to the player. ha ha
Back again, sorry. This is again a very in depth subject. I don't want to forget that what this forum's focus is, is on simple man made instruments that have a limited musical quality if compared with full size guitars. The guitar shown above earlier has great sound [for what it is] but if you are a blues picker and want that dry Delta blues sound, don't go down this path, is my advise.
My son recently built a much more basic CBG using a plywood top on a homemade soundbox, and it has that Delta blues vibe. if you know what I mean, and is just as pleasing to play.
Soundholes.
As Craig has pointed out, plus: If one gets a handle on how a guitar generates sound the importance of a sound hole will be seen. Although the guitar radiates sound from the surface of the top it will sound muffled and strained without a soundhole. Think of a speaker enclosure [PA] with no holes in the front for the speakers, you would hear sound but hmmm! it would be muffled, and take more power to make things work.
When strings are plucked they set the soundboard into motion [vibrating] this in turn excites the air in the soundbox [soundwaves] and this is what we hear as it leaves the soundhole. A whole mixture of frequencies coming out at once.
The size of the soundhole will have an effect on more bass or more treble. Also there are considerations to be made that will allow the sound to be around the player or to project sound [projection] across the room more effectively, to the listener.
The back can also play apart in this if it is a responsive/active plate. But I am not sure if it is so noticeable in a small vibrating surface such as a 3 string CBG back. in a full size guitar my backs will vibrate along with the top, which moves more air in the body and contributes to the overall sound. I never play my guitar with the back up against my tummy, it will dampen the sound, if the back is light enough and responsive.
Following these principals I get consistently good volumes and tone from my CBG's. Now put a pickup, pots and knobs in top top........I recon ya gotta rethink the above comments.
Cheers Taff
Yes, the vibration of the back of the box makes a big difference with a CBG. I once put several screws into the bottom of the box and into the back of the through neck then tightened them down to keep the box closed. The sound was quite diminished. Now I add small spacers to the back of the neck though that will just touch the back if I think I need screw the bottom of the box to the neck and the sound us much louder.
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