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CBG from Wine Box?

Hello, Newbee here... I would like to build a CBG from a wine box. A close friend died recently, quite suddenly and way too young. He was part of my local music group. Played guitar himself. This wine box was a gift from him, and I thought making a CBG out of it would be a great way to remember him. I'd like to make it a 6 string acoustic/electric hollow body. Since it isn't actually a cigar box, I'm wondering about a few things. The box is wider, deeper and taller than most cigar boxes. I'm thinking that the length and width would not be an issue? But, I need to make it more shallow, not a problem it's stapled and nailed together. The top and back are about 1/4" thick, maybe maple plywood, the sides appear to be solid pine. Will this thickness for the top be OK on a CBG, or do I need to plane it down... trickly with plywood? I've built 3 dulcimers and restored my mother Gibson LG1 that my brother tore apart 40 years ago. But, I play a T5 mostly, and don't really know about all the electric side of things.. but I definitely want to make it electric. I'm just not sure where to start on that side of things, and if there is a reference or if folks can suggest an approach that might narrow my research. I'm not going to be wailing away on it... I'm more of an acoustic gal.... just want it to sound good with some adjustment capability I guess that is enough to start the conversation. Appreciate any sage advice from you experienced CBG builders. (BTW, I do have two of these boxes) -cj-

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on January 8, 2019 at 9:06am

Plenty of members have built wine box guitars here, maybe have a search? I wouldn’t do much to the box besides bracing it internally? I’ve also seen them built using the top & as well bottom of the box? Good luck

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Permalink Reply by CJ on January 8, 2019 at 9:13am

That is funny, not sure why, but it surprises me that others have used wine boxes.. but it makes sense... will do a search on wine box and see what I find...

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Jordan on January 8, 2019 at 9:19am

Hello. Very doable. I have built one, should be in my profile pics. I made the wine box shallower by ripping it down on the table saw. I used a factory neck on mine, but the options are limitless. I would suggest a banjo style neck, as it would be easiest to mount, and the top thickness should not be an issue. You just need to decide if you want an acoustic style piezo pickup or a magnetic pickup for an electric guitar style build.

You should get a ton of replies with some good suggestions. And this sounds like a great project. I have at least 10 memorial "keeper" builds myself.

Best wishes.

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Permalink Reply by CJ on January 8, 2019 at 2:59pm

So, I've done some reading on the pickups. If I am following it right the piezo's go under the saddle, I put one of those in my Baby Taylor. I gather the 3 main acoustic pickups are Transducer, Sound hole and Piezo. Am I correct in thinking that Transducer type wouldn't work on a CBG if you don't have a traditional thin soundboard? I probably want acoustic not electric, just because of the kind of music I like to listen and play..

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on January 8, 2019 at 4:56pm

A transducer pickup, has a piezo inside of it?

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Jordan on January 9, 2019 at 9:20am

Piezo's come in different packages and sizes (disk and rod), and can be considered a transducer, but there are other kinds of transducers as well ( HEX and synth style, plus many more. And there are soundhole pickups, which are generally magnetic, but are sometimes paired with an internal microphone as well, in the more advanced models. Sounds like for your use you could go with either style of piezo, but if you have used a rod before, and liked it, that may be best for you.

Chime in folks!!

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Permalink Reply by Keith Rearick on January 8, 2019 at 10:11am

Some sage advice from Brian and Jerry. Go for it, will be a great acoustic.

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Permalink Reply by David L. on January 8, 2019 at 2:28pm

This is a nice way to remember a good friend. There is a wine box guitar group that might give you some ideas.

https://cigarboxnation.com/group/wineboxguitars

Regards,

David L.

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Permalink Reply by CJ on January 8, 2019 at 2:48pm

Thanks David, I'll check out that group.

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Permalink Reply by A.D.EKER on January 9, 2019 at 12:49am

They will do just fine!sins in my neck of the woods there are not that many smokers & cigarboxes left, but by now we just about use anything !,but you cant go wrong on a wine box! Big & Great acoustics ,epens on the thickness of the kind of wood ,thin spruse i like the best. Good luck on the build!