Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cynthia on March 17, 2015 at 2:42pm

Im new and slow to navigate this site, it will take a bit more time to figure out photo posts, please be patient while I flounder. thanks

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on March 14, 2015 at 1:09pm

I've used wood boxes with cardboard tops, even MDF boxes... all sound different, none of them sound bad.

In fact, one of the best sounding guitars I've made (of 31 so far) is a Punch box with a pressboard top...

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Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on March 14, 2015 at 6:54pm

I'm with John - as long as the lid is fairly rigid, just go for it, it may well surprise you. If you don't like the tone, just transplant the neck to a new box!

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Permalink Reply by Clock The Wolf on March 17, 2015 at 2:52pm

Is this it?

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on March 17, 2015 at 4:50pm

Easiest graphics preservation and sound improvement would be to flip the box over, use the wood bottom for your soundboard. Or stiffen the fiberboard by adding wooden struts underneath.


Cheap toys often have piezo buzzers in them. There is a Group here on CBN devoted to wiring:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/cbgwiringelectronics

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Permalink Reply by Cynthia on March 20, 2015 at 6:34am

Very helpful, great diagram, Im digging out the solder gun. My logic had a rod piezo in the bridge saddle so if it failed I could get at the wiring.  Ive bought both, and will try several: Red Dog guitar DVD gave me idea for back door cover to make later repairs.  Everyone is very kind in sharing ideas.  Thanks

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Permalink Reply by 14 buck bass (aka antonio) on March 23, 2015 at 3:57am

Hi Cynthia, Ive got a suggestion for the slide top. Ive used a few boxes with slide tops . If you sand the two side  slide,lips off of the lid.  you can still drop the lid in using the leading edge lip and the edge of the lid.  Usually you will take a piece of wood for the front and back of the box anyway where the neck rests so if you cut that the same height as the inside of where the lid would have slid. you can rest and reinforce it on those braces.  personally I think your box will sound fine. Build it and see how it sounds . you may be pleasantly surprised . if you are looking for brace ideas pop on over to my page and look at those pics . I cant seem to transfer them here to this thread. sorry.   One more thing.  if you want to get really basic on the electrics just get your piezo and a jack . forget the pots.  you can turn your volume up at the amp .   just to make it simple. good luck !!  have fun  and enjoy the addiction .

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Permalink Reply by Mark Lindsay on March 25, 2015 at 8:00am

For some reason, people like to hate on boxes with fiberboard lids. I think they sound just fine. We're never going to create a sound that rivals a Martin or Taylor acoustic out of a cigar box, so I don't even try. I just run with what I have. Since you're going to add a piezo into the mix as well, I say just go for it.

I got into a similar discussion with a couple of folks on Facebook, weighing the pros and cons of a Macanudo box with a fiberboard lid vs a Java box with a plywood lid. As evidence of the difference, I submit this unedited video I shot during this discussion.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Lindsay on March 27, 2015 at 3:02pm

I very seldom learn anything from my successes, but I almost always learn something from my failures - even if it's only, "Okay, so that's why they don't do it that way..." It's really easy to get caught up in the excitement of a first build. I know I did. I spent a lot of time in the chat room here at The Nation and spoke with calmer heads. I decided then to slow down, relax, and make my first build (the Java 3-string in the video) a simple acoustic 3-string, which I still have and still plink around on. With that first build under my belt, I expanded my horizons on the next, then again on the next, and so on. I mean let's face it - we're not going to build just one and be satisfied, right?

If I have any advice for a new builder at all, it's this: build what YOU want to build, the way YOU want to build it. Sure, there are a few rules when it comes to building a playable instrument, but there are absolutely no rules when it comes to what you like and don't like. And I've found that the only way you'll ever discover what you do and don't like is to build it, learn from it, and play heck out of it.

Have fun!

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Permalink Reply by john mackay on March 25, 2015 at 8:33am

you sound out of breath Mark,hope your ok with your lungs.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Lindsay on March 25, 2015 at 10:06am

I'm fine. That's just my voice. LOL!

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Permalink Reply by 14 buck bass (aka antonio) on March 26, 2015 at 6:45am

mark thanks for the video, and points. I use those macanudo boxes alot, the fuente boxes too. those mixed with poplar wood give off some magnificent tones , So Cynthia id definatly build that chillin moose gitty you been wantin.

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