#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Coursed Strings on Canjos, Cigar Boxes and Diddley Bows?

Since my work on the 12 String Canjo, I been learning a lot about course String instruments and I must say Its all quite interesting, but I am finding little to nothing for Cigar Boxes, Canios, etc, except for the occasional mandolin, my 12 String and a few other 12 Strings.

So I got to ask, you the assembled Cigar Box makers and players is there much to it. I like the idea of making a view coursed string instruments, smaller than the 12 stringer, but I need a little history to work with.

Also has anyone tried a coursed Diddley Bow, by which I mean what is essentially a 2 string Diddley, but with the 2 strings either in unison or in octaves, again I've looked and found nothing.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on April 17, 2020 at 12:38pm

Hi JP, I can't see a problem, l would just build a CBG wth a slightly wider neck and a longer peghead. Depending on how many courses beef up the build accordingly.

i remember back in the '60's having no info, so I would just do it. It helps you become inventive, creative and sometimes a pioneer. You will proberbly find you come up with the same designs and solutions to problems as the next guy. But what's better is creating better designs and solutions.

I still seek to design or solve a problem in the workshop by doing it myself first, and check with others/web if I need to.

I think you are right about having history to work with. If you read all you can about the how and why's of building any stringed instrument, it helps you with whatever you want to build.

My first books were on violin and classical guitar building, but have never built either. But the info l gained from them set me on the path to building hundreds of different stringed instruments over the years, but mostly Guitars.

Taff

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JP Lace Master on April 17, 2020 at 8:10pm

I see your point, experimentation is required definitely. the fact that few have tried such builds just makes me want to try them more, the results should be interesting. I have a few ideas, maybe a couple Diddley Bows to start or would they be called chuggers, maybe I'll name them something new.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on April 17, 2020 at 12:52pm

Plenty of builders have made them here. Mostly mandolin type? And yes there’s a two string Diddley made by Johnny Lowebow for some years now, one low, one high string & a pickup for each string? Most builders here aren’t luthiers, so they don’t all call them double course. Shane built this awhile back, not a double course, but gets the sound,have you been to the Resources tab? https://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/piccolo

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JP Lace Master on April 17, 2020 at 8:19pm

I am familiar with the Johnny and his Lowebows, he was mentioned when I was researching Diddley Bows and then Chuggers, I don't consider myself a luthier either, I just build. I haven't had a look at the resources tab, I think I should.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on April 17, 2020 at 1:08pm

I’m on board with Taff, just build it & see what you come out with. History is kool, but sometimes you gotta make your own when there’s none. I would look for books on building Mandolins, I’m sure there’s some history about double course in one? Maybe search some Luthiery sites?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JP Lace Master on April 17, 2020 at 8:20pm

I'll have to have a look around thank you.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on April 17, 2020 at 1:23pm

https://cigarboxnation.com/main/search/search?q=double+course+

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Titch the Clown on April 17, 2020 at 4:43pm

I have done a few Tahitian style ukuleles though more traditional styled than cbg or cookie tin. They are an amazing sounding instrument that has the advantage of being strung with a single gauge of fishing line for all strings, usually 20lb to 40 lb line.

https://youtu.be/1yprUlZodNw

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on April 18, 2020 at 12:28pm

Hi, I have built many instruments with varying string courses. I started with mountain dulcimers, and then mandolins, 12string guitars, Irish bouzouki', citterns and hammered dulcimers. But never applied this to CBG's....but when I get time.
Taff

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Southern Ray on April 19, 2020 at 4:43am

I'd like t see it, Taff.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JP Lace Master on April 18, 2020 at 7:53pm

I'll be interested to see your results. I have had a few ideas. considering I started with a full 12 string, i'll go back to basics and try some coursed Diddley Bows. I also have thoughts to try converting a standard 6 string neck into something with courses.