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Completely Newb

Completely new to CBGs and have NO experience playing ANY instrument. I have always wanted to, but they all seemed complicated and/or intimidating - as I am not the most coordinated individual you will ever meet.

Anyway, I go by The Bane online and live in the South Central US (Louisiana) and am currently 46. Don't remember how I stumbled onto CBGs online, but have been enamored with them ever since (about 3 weeks now). I have burned up just about all my bandwidth searching articles, forums, and videos of this wonderful art that begets art.

The "Uncle Crow" style of CBG has convinced me that I can and will build some of these! Took my first steps today trying to find cigar boxes locally (absolutely NO luck) and stopped into a local music store to price tuners, strings, and see if they had any bulletin board adds for instructors. Just so happened an employee gives lessons and said to learn I needed a guitar - begin sales pitch. I hesitantly said, "That's just it. You might find this funny, but I want to build one. They are called a CBG or Cigar Box Guitar..." He just laughed at me and I thought I had 'gone and done it', when he says he knows all about them and even plays one in a local band!!

He buys his rather than builds them, but long story short - we talked for a long while and he even pulled me around behind the counter to check out some of his Youtube videos! He's good too! Anyway, I feel like a putts but I forgot his name, but once I get my first one built I will definitely go back and get reacquainted and take some lessons! Funny thing is he said he charges by the lesson, because after about four lessons he usually points them, or they find their own way, to Youtube and tells them to "get after it."

Great site. Have learned a lot, but will have to leave this here as I have tons more research to do!

Best,

The Bane

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on August 18, 2016 at 1:13pm

welcome Bane

Permalink Reply by Metal hic on August 18, 2016 at 8:39pm

Welcome Bane!
Yes, just build it! you learn a lot... for the second one :)

Permalink Reply by Blues Frog on August 18, 2016 at 11:27pm

Check out C.B.Gitty. They have everything you need. You can also get boxes through Amazon, if you don't mind buying a random ten at a rip.

Welcome to the Nation and enjoy!

Permalink Reply by Rusty Summer on August 19, 2016 at 3:55am

We all started as complete newbs so you are in good company. I think the best advice anyone can give is to start building and keep building. The Cigar Box Nation live broadcast yesterday was really good. It was all about not being afraid of failure. It is so true. While the first few CBG's I bought are all playable instruments that everyone thinks are way cool. I struggle to NOT see the flaws in them. I have started to stop looking at them as flaws. Instead I look at each one as a lesson learned. Start building and keep building! You have a great group of friends here at CBN. Welcome!!!

Permalink Reply by The Bane on August 19, 2016 at 3:32pm

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

Should begin building on my first CBG shortly. Already have an idea for a 'theme' and can't wait to start.

Thanks again,

The Bane

Permalink Reply by The Bane on August 20, 2016 at 5:59am

Okay! So I found a place to get unfinished boxes, which is fine because I want to decorate them myself, but wonder if I wasted my money?

Anyone ever use These Boxes From Michaels?

They seem kinda small at 8.34 x 8.07 x 1.77"s, but it just could because they are more square than rectangle - which I am more used to seeing.

Thanks,

The Bane

Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on August 20, 2016 at 6:16am

i have used similar , they work fine .

Permalink Reply by The Bane on August 20, 2016 at 9:08am

That is a sharp looking rig if I do say so myself!! I love the grain, especially on the neck and the bridge is intriguing me also.

Very nice!

Thanks for sharing. Relieved, the size looks good. What scale and type of fret board wood?

Best,

The Bane

Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on August 20, 2016 at 11:05am

that box originally looked just like yours , the "grain " is burnt on with a mini torch . poplar fretboard / 24 scale .

a "swamp witch guitars" version of a "cigar box" guitar . apart from my signature swamp witch guitar line . ( gotta change things up once in a while ) . lol.

Permalink Reply by The Bane on August 21, 2016 at 2:44am

Nice! I wouldn't have thought of doing that. The creativity with these are awesome.

Took the liberty of looking the "Swamp Witch" name online. Truly impressive guitars. "Urban Decay" may be my favorite.

Thanks, your craft/cigar box swamp witch guitar is inspirational...

The Bane

Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on August 21, 2016 at 2:48am

cheers , thanks for the kind words ;-)

Permalink Reply by Rusty Summer on August 20, 2016 at 6:35am

That seems like a fine option to start with. Remember there are no rules. We all have preferences as to what we like to use for our builds. The only right opinion here is yours. Build.....Fail...Learn...Build again....PLAY!!!!