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First Build Newbie, box too thick mabye?

Hi everybody!

All my parts are ordered and shipped and I'm pretty excited about this. I was watching some videos and I'm wondering if I bought too strong a cigar box. I found this great looking one on ebay, hopefully I've attached the file.

And now I'm wondering if the wood is too thick? I wonder if I should use my router and thin out the top for more resonance. (Note, I've never used a router before but I do have some basic wood working skills.)

I guess I could just build it and see how it sounds but I won't really know how it sounds until I nail it shut and then it's too late.

Thanks everybody!

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Permalink Reply by JL on December 4, 2017 at 1:32am

F or C sound holes would look good and you have more options on placement around the art work.

It's a right smart looking box!!

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Permalink Reply by Paul Cezanne on December 5, 2017 at 6:01am

The box arrived yesterday. All my fears are ungrounded, it is nicely lightweight and feels like it will be resonant. And it looks even better than the pictures.

Thanks everyone for the help!

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Permalink Reply by MadGomer on December 5, 2017 at 1:31pm

Don't forget to post a photo when you get done, really like that box!

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Permalink Reply by Paul Cezanne on December 5, 2017 at 1:42pm

Oh I will! How does that work here? In the Jeep forums I hang out in people have "build threads" where they document their progress. Do we do that or just post finished product?

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Permalink Reply by MadGomer on December 5, 2017 at 2:07pm

I've seen both, I'm not too organized so at best I usually upload a final photo, but feel free to just add to this string as you progress

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on December 5, 2017 at 3:52pm

there's a running thread, "what's on your bench?" that might suit

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on December 5, 2017 at 1:35pm

That's great news. I'd like to add one comment if I may.

I see the top /lid is supported at the back and at the front edges by resting on the sides of the box, however it looks unsupported at its other two ends. As the lid sits inside the sides of the box I would suggest adding support bearers under the top [what will be the tailpiece and neck ends of the box] glued to those two sides of the box.

But it may already be supported, just thought I would mention it.

Cheers taff

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Permalink Reply by MadGomer on December 5, 2017 at 1:38pm

Yes, good catch

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Permalink Reply by Paul Cezanne on December 5, 2017 at 1:41pm

Yes, just supported at the front and back, not the sides. Is any wood good enough? I have a bunch of cedar left over sitting out in the yard. Or do I need a hardwood?

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Permalink Reply by MadGomer on December 5, 2017 at 2:04pm

Cedar would be just fine, just need to give it some stability.

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Permalink Reply by Blues Frog on December 9, 2017 at 5:55pm

I love the look of that box. I would make it an acoustic, and see what sound came out of it

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Permalink Reply by Paul Cezanne on December 10, 2017 at 4:47am

That's an interesting approach! I had thought of that. Since I'm using a rod piezo I can just not install it and play it some and see if I'm happy. If I want a different sound, just open up the box, drill for the rod piezo and volume and close it back up again.

It also simplifies it since I don't have to build the amp also.

It does mean I need to drill sound holes but I like the look of them so I was going to do that anyways.