Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cigar Box Nation on October 27, 2017 at 8:05am

Aren't they the ones being made in China?

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Permalink Reply by Snuffy Smith on October 27, 2017 at 8:53am

Urgh, really? Learn something new everyday. So they are mass-produced Chinese stuff? I wasn't aware. They have some English bloke on their site, plugging them. I thought they were made in England, LOL. I'm looking for a very loud acoustic CBG. I thought they sounded nice at least.

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Permalink Reply by Snuffy Smith on October 27, 2017 at 8:59am

My builder is down for the count right now with herniated disc issues...so I'm keeping my options open for finding someone else. I was thinking resonator for the loudness, but everyone tells me they sound like a banjo. I'd love something more in the lines of an acoustic/classical guitar sound because I mainly fingerpick...haven't gotten into slide at all. So yeah, I want something that plays loud acoustically, and not just with an amp (although I'd like that option as well).

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Permalink Reply by Richard Dean on October 27, 2017 at 2:24pm

Everyone usually comments they want a loud acoustic only CBG, several factors to consider, and one biggy that will give the most headache in my opinion.

First, best off build a normal 24-25.5" scale for starters, use Cigar Box Nation's tech tip on string choice for the low tone, which is usually two semi heavy wound strings and one light string to get the close to desired tone ---> here string choice

Next problem, and it's the biggy, your sound board, no matter how thin or material used, it's darn near impossible to get both the sound and volume your looking for, here's why, go look again at a regular acoustic guitar, and look at the coverage area it has to project, way bigger than CBG's, so to start with, your best bet is a custom made box, at least 2" deep and every bit of maybe 16x10" in size, if I wanted one exactly like an acoustic guitar, I'd probably buy a 6 string and cannibalize it's soundboard, cut down it's neck and headstock to make it a 3 string and go from there. or experiment with cardboard cigar boxes, they seem to have a closer sound than some of the heavier wood boxes.

If I didn't have so many irons in the fire right now, I'd try and make you one just to see how close I could come, but it would be after the new year comes in before I'll have time for such a project, and I'll probably have every bit of a $100 to $150 just in parts, because I'd but like a Lyon or Washburn 6 string for my cannibalization, I'd even make it use it's electric/preamp bridge piezo so it could be both.

Let me know after the first of the year if still interested.

I'm sure others have come close and may chime in, but out of all the searches related I've not heard one definite solution.

rotsa-ruck scooby

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Permalink Reply by Richard Dean on October 27, 2017 at 2:28pm

p. s. if you want inexpensive guitars to cannibalize, or just buy at good prices either in good shape or in need of some repair, I'd look here, I've bought some.

under musical instruments G-Will

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Permalink Reply by Richard Dean on October 28, 2017 at 4:52am

finally heard the guitar playing, a couple things to consider, what is he using to record his playing, may be deceiving you as far as volume, second, a four string will produce more volume than a 3, 6 strings will be louder etc. when strumming, more vibration.

If it's a China made production guitar, don't know what trickery in playback audio may be done...if it's in fact made in China, I don't know.

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Permalink Reply by Snuffy Smith on October 28, 2017 at 10:04am

“This product contains materials subject to the convention to protect endangered species (CITES). Delivery to United States is therefore not possible at the moment.”

Well, that would explain why I can't find these gits on any online American websites. So I wonder what material is being used on these things that is preventing them from entering our ports?

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Permalink Reply by Richard Dean on October 28, 2017 at 10:32am

They test each one on the head of a baby seal for durable construction.....too graphic? lol

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Permalink Reply by Snuffy Smith on October 28, 2017 at 10:44am

Nah, this is about one of the woods used in making this git, which is considered "endangered" in OUR country, but not the country these gits were made in. I remember reading years back that Gibson has had issues with it's gits too over the types of wood used. This is beyond stupid! It's freakin' wood. It's the rosewood:

https://reverb.com/news/new-cites-regulations-for-all-rosewood-species

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Permalink Reply by Richard Dean on October 28, 2017 at 10:56am

Well, I'm bummed now, now i have to go and make one loud and proud and acoustic, but, will still be after the first of the year.

Going to start by making a nice maple neck, ebony or rosewood fret board, piece of mahogany or oak for a fixed truss, start off with a nice fairly large cigar box, which will probably get it's lid modified and replace with spruce, bracing, back angle neck, 3 string, medium frets, bone nut and saddle, piezo pickup bridge, piezo and preamp, 25.5" scale, then test it, and modify it as needed till sound is achieved. Afraid the entire box will undergo surgery, but will make a fun winter project.

And after that is done.......

I may even find a used beat up 3/4 dreadnought acoustic guitar, remove the neck, and just make a 3 string custom neck, add a piezo and preamp to it.

Right now, Holiday preparations, remodeling the kitchen and bathroom simultaneously, so, gotta keep the better half happy.

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Permalink Reply by Hal Robertson on October 28, 2017 at 2:35pm

I build these... in the US :-)

https://www.facebook.com/sawdustlane/videos/836777896500734/

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Permalink Reply by Richard Dean on October 28, 2017 at 3:10pm

Nice resonator, I've seen pics of the 3 cone res, but that's the first I've heard one, real nice, real curious how it sounds unplugged.

I also like your zero fret solution for string guides, use of a wooden nut with the grooves cut in for guides, I may borrow that idea in a future build

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