I finally got my first build complete, mostly. My high G string broke as I was tuning it up. As a guitarist, it's nothing new to have a string break every now and then, so I still make due for now.

Anyway, here's my unnamed geetar, feel free to drop a name for it down in the comments if y'all'd like.

Started with an empty cigar box and a 1"x2"x3' slab of poplar, salvaged some copper piping from an old house my dad and myself had to fix, ordered some strings, some fretwire, and a fretting template, and in about 14 hours worth of labor, out came a geetar.

For anybody who is reading this that hasn't built a git yet, don't fret it. (Horrible joke, I know and apologize).

But seriously, It's really simple when you really get into it. Have fun making it, and don't stress about it. I had fun throughout the entirety of my project, even though I stressed majorly about making a fretboard, and once I made the fretboard, I realized it wasn't worth stressing over. It was super simple, easy, and fun.

Anyway, enough rambling.

Thanks to all the people who have given me their advice in the build, you've all helped me a ton, and without all'a y'all, I probably wouldn't have been able to figure all this stuff out and actually build a git.

Oh, and one more thing. I see why you all call this "Madness". Everything that's box shaped that I see now is already turning into a git in my head, and truth be told, I love it.

Views: 680

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

canted neck is not big deal, some folks made ones with a deliberately really canted neck, the question of the day is how playable is it? 

Hi JL, sorry  what is meant by a canted neck?

Taff

not square to the body.. canted over at an angle...

Thanks, I do this all the time to get the correct bridge/saddle height, but never knew it was called that.

Taff

i think the neck is tilted in the other plane Taffy not front to back,  follow the string spacing down the neck. 

totally not a criticism of the build. i dont think mine is exactly straight either..lol

OP said the neck shifted when attaching, 8° out of square to the sides, different from back angle.

JL, I'm not positive that it's 8* off, that's just a guess lol

Plays well, but I definitely can't wait for number 2 in hopes that it'll be even better

no doubt it will, and the third and the fourth...lol

Roland - a couple quick thoughts and suggestions.  I've never seen this done, but you could put some screws between the bridge and tailstock to pull the strings over into better alignment (like on your headstock).  It should not negatively affect playing or the sound, as the only string length you really care about is the free length between the nut and bridge.  Helps to compensate for the shift in your neck, and is also pretty unique!   Hope this makes sense!

I swap out bridges all the time!  I agree that the copper tube might not be ideal for transmitting vibrations to the box.  I've used pre-made bridges, bolts and scrap pieces of wood.  It's more a matter of tuning the bridge to the guitar, either for the appearance you want or to best produce the sound.

Sound holes can help; but they can be very simple.  Cool ones add to the beauty of the CBG, but a 5/8" or larger hole or holes can also work.  I think they contribute to the volume of the instrument, but don't expect huge gains in sound level.  Part of it is - they're cool!

Congrats on your first build!  Lots of info is available here, as you know.  You have a very solid start!  Looking forward to your next, and your next, and your next......

Hi, as this is not a tapered fingerboard the strings are the same spacing all the way up, so maybe they do not need fixing in place. The spacing at the tail piece would be the same as the nut.

if you want the strings to better follow the neck, move the tail piece over. This will also remove any side pull on the neck, that could cause issues down the track. Just info for future builds.

cheers Taff

Much appreciated! Hopefully the neck-cant won't be an issue on the next build. And thats the only reason string alignment was (and still kinda is) such a problem. The only reason it is the way it is on this one is that I got a bit excited and mismarked my drilling point on the neck. But ya live and ya learn, trial and error has always been a big thing in my life.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you Poorness ! for loving it ! appreciated!"
11 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
11 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
12 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Punch Project!

She now sports gold metal CBGitty knobs, speaker and an Artec 2.5 watt speaker. Finished this in…
12 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Project Punch!

Gonna finally get back on this long-delayed project that is more than half complete. (The matching…
12 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
14 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
15 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"I appreciate the kind words Papa D! I have always loved the look of these cigar boxes. Glad to have…"
17 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
21 hours ago
A.D.EKER posted a video

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

The recorded History By Alan Lomax for the library of Congres of the Blues, from Mc Kinley Morganfield (Aka Muddy Waters) the in this take recorded Tribute ...
21 hours ago
Papa D commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"Beautiful..Nice work Doug.."
yesterday
Papa D commented on Papa D's photo
Thumbnail

american1 Sun Glo

"Thanx AGP & Doug..  4 more coming soon"
yesterday

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->