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Newbie's First Build

I stumbled across this site a few months ago while looking for something new to do in my wood shop and I was hooked. I was a beginner guitar player when i had a table saw accident that left me with limited use of my middle finger of my left had. With not being able to "fret" a six string I all but gave up on music all together.

Anyway while reading through this site and watching how some were playing a three string cigar box I remembered I had an old wooden cigar box on the shelf in the shop. I downloaded the building secrets pdf and read through it and I was inspire to build one to see how well I could play and if I couldn't play then at least I had the joy of the build.

So this brings me to my first build. Here is what I have to start with....

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee46/duecemustang/woodworking/PI...

The box needs a little TLC like a little glue around the seams of the box since the tacks are a bit loose and the top has a slight bow to it.

So, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and I hope i can contribute to the site.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on January 19, 2012 at 3:24pm

Welcome Jeff! That box should work. I am curious how thick the lid is. If it is much thicker than 1/8 or so, it won't vibrate as much as you might like. That is not to say that it won't work, just something to consider.

Have a look at the beginner's videos I have on my page here. They may help you along on your first build.

Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask questions.

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Permalink Reply by Clock The Wolf on January 19, 2012 at 3:52pm

Hmm... more of a cigar box amplifier box, but what the heck. No tobacconists nearby? Remember that it

doesn't have to be a stogie box... think of a cookie tin, mailbox, wooden wine box, hat box, tea box, old

piece of lumber, parts of a former ice house, bits of broken door turned into a box, etc. Have fun!

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on January 20, 2012 at 3:59am

That is a perfect box to build a cbg from. Don't worry about top thickness etc on your first attempt, just build it the best you can and lear from there. Have fun.

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Permalink Reply by Ian MC Donald on January 20, 2012 at 11:24am

Hi,
I want that box,lol
Seriously great box for any build let alone your first build,
If its acoustic try some brass grommets and maybe a good old piece of maple try not to use poplar or any softwood as it will bow even on a three string,
You could bond another wood to the maple ,
Good luck
Kind regards
Ian

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Permalink Reply by Jeff on January 20, 2012 at 3:56pm

Thanks for the input.

Dan, the lid is 1/4" thick.

As far as the neck goes i lucked into 2 pallets of wood last summer at an auction. It was a mix of oak and cherry, majority is 4" to 6" wide x 1 1/4" thick and no longer than 5' all for $35.....so that is what i have to work with....I happen to find in the stack a beautiful piece that for now i will keep a secret to use for the fret board.

I maybe getting the cart ahead of the horse here but I want to go with guitar style build so what would be good for the nut and bridge?

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Permalink Reply by Careless John on January 22, 2012 at 2:33am

I'm about to start my 1st proper build, I did 2 before that didnt turn out to good, mostly because I didnt read up on how to do it.

I have a nice black Cohiba box, some oak for the neck and a good set of templates for the fret sizes, so I hope this time it works out. Is it best to put a walnut fret board on a three stringer or should I go with just the oak.