Hey--I asked on the chat room, and I'll ask here:  I need ideas on what to do with a silverware box I just bought from Goodwill (LOVE me some Goodwill!).  It's on the big side.  I'm not sure what to make with it, a 6-string, or a bass, or....

If I make a 6-string, I'd need to cannibalize a parts-only guitar for the neck or bite the bullet and go eBay for a fretted neck.  I have no gear for installing frets.

A bass--that would be easier to figure out.

Now, I could install a reso, but the wood is pretty sturdy and nice, so I don't know.

So, suggestions?

Would it help if I posted pics?

Views: 417

Replies to This Discussion

I'm assuming it's a pretty heavy/robust box so probably doesn't have great acoustics?  If it's big enough, maybe a double neck instrument?  Use it for a pedal board?  Can you post a photo?

I had one and built a six string guitar with it. Acoustically it was pretty great, electrically it was fantastic. There should be some photos of my build with the cutlery box, and maybe even some shots of the internal bracing, on my page if you want to take a look. I couldn't advise on building a bass as I've never done one but I guess the theory is about the same. What about a double neck with a bass string or two/three on a pole and a three or four string on a donor guitar neck? You could use a separate bass and guitar amp or run everything through a bass amp?

Either way, enjoy the build and share your experiences and results :0)

rule #1  . have fun with it ..

and ... If it's big and boomy . make an acoustic  fretless cbg . you can always add frets or a pickup later if not satisfied .. or  get another box and have all 3 .  it aint the last  silverware box in the world . so all options are always on the table . ;-)

(above  was a jewelry box , but  .. same diff )  ;-)  

I think the double-neck idea is really a good one, a la Ben Prestage (sp?).  I might do one neck that's a 3-string guit and another that's a broom handle with a single bass string.  Thanks!

Pics and dimensions would help.

Coming up.  Stay tuned!

I got lucky and saw one for a couple of bucks.  It looked awful.  I took it home and sanded the finish off and 

found it was made of solid wood- not ply.  I put handle and latches on and had a very classy briefcase.

I don't have the exact measurements, but it is about 12+ inches lon...

I am not sure if the photo is going to make it because I don't understand this new format.

Nice!

Welp, I decided to (1.) clean out as much of the glue from the inside as I could.  There's a little left, but no matter.  The felt and paper is cleaned out; (2.) sand down the outside to its original wood.  Its finish was red, but the wood is a very light color (birch?) (3.) go with the double-neck idea, using two 1" poplar dowels, the upper one for two strings/melody and the lower for a bass string. I would play slide, obviously. I drilled holes in the sides for the dowels, and tore the living h*ll out of it!  Lesson learned!  I glued the seams back together, and they should be fine, but YIKES!

MadGomer:  Actually, the top is pretty thin, so its acoustics should be pretty nice.

Seeking further advice: (1.) I've toying with the idea of using metal dishes as "resos" on which to put each bridge, to add another color to the sound. Thoughts?  (2.) How the heck do I amplify it? Do I install two piezos?  If I do, how do I plug in--a jack each for the melody strings and the bass string? Or is there a way to hook up both piezos so I would only need one jack?

I just posted pics of the ongoing project with the silverware box in question.  And I'm having FUN!!  As you see, it's going to be a double-neck.  Two 1" poplar dowels.  The top one will have two treble strings, and bottom one will have one bass string.  Both played with slide--well, the bass one not as much.  You see the sound holes.  I made holes on which to put veggie can lid resos, with bent-up spoon handles mounted on them as bridges. 

The bottom has two "feet" that I'm leaving on. 

I'm seriously considering installing two single-coil pups with a three-way switch so I can opt for treble, bass or both.  With one jack.  I will need to buy a soldering iron and practice soldering a bit first, but no worries.

Thanks for your suggestions!

Looking good Andy, and great news to hear that you're enjoying the build process. Looking forward to seeing the end results and hopefully a video too? Great idea about using veggie can resos too. I love it.

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


Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 20. 9 Replies

Attention 1st time builders!

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 27. 2 Replies

Brickhouse CBG Wiring

Started by Ian Boyd. Last reply by Ian Boyd Dec 11, 2023. 1 Reply

Fretless fret markers

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers Apr 20, 2023. 8 Replies

canjo building and tuning

Started by Brenda. Last reply by MadGomer Dec 3, 2022. 5 Replies

Minimum tools needed

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 14, 2022. 21 Replies

High G problem

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 3, 2022. 4 Replies

Doubling the high string

Started by Robert Killen. Last reply by Paul Craig Oct 14, 2022. 23 Replies

Aluminum License Plate

Started by Larry Sobol. Last reply by Larry Sobol Oct 1, 2022. 6 Replies

C. B. Gifty three string fretless kits.

Started by jon neet. Last reply by Taffy Evans Aug 16, 2022. 6 Replies

Frettin' and stainin'

Started by Doug Laffin. Last reply by Order99 Aug 11, 2022. 4 Replies

Bolt on neck to a set neck body?

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Jul 17, 2022. 14 Replies

Locations

Started by Roy Smith. Last reply by the anonymous pick May 15, 2022. 2 Replies

Help please re Bento Box Uke "nut"

Started by Al Lobe. Last reply by BrianQ. May 10, 2022. 18 Replies

Clarification on pick ups

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans May 6, 2022. 5 Replies

Licence plate cbg

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers May 2, 2022. 5 Replies

Builder's Tips

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 23, 2022. 2 Replies

Getting there but needing advice/help please.

Started by Lionhound. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 18, 2022. 8 Replies

Tres Cubano Build

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Dec 9, 2021. 18 Replies

CB Gitty Country Roads Banjo kit

Started by Ken Hope. Last reply by Christopher G Daniels Nov 29, 2021. 4 Replies

Latest Activity

smilingdog1 liked 3 String Blues's video
5 minutes ago
smilingdog1 liked Glenn Kaiser's video
6 minutes ago
Doug Thorsvik posted a video

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

Cigar Box Guitar Slingers - Spokane, 195th Zoom Mtg 03/25/24. Only 1-finger chords, free songbooks here: https://www.cbgslinger.com/download CBG SOF Songbook...
1 hour ago
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!"
18 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
18 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
19 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…
19 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…
19 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
21 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
21 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…"
yesterday
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
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 -->