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Advice for volume knob placement and mounting?

I wonder what people think about putting the volume knob on the top side of the box rather than through the lid. Seems like the knob can get in the way when strumming, especially with a smaller box. Most people seem to put the knobs on the lid, in the corner near the bridge.

related question: if the side or the lid is too thick for the potentiometer shaft length, is it better to remove some material to thin the wood, or just buy a pot with a longer shaft?

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Permalink Reply by KOOL DOG HOOCH on June 12, 2019 at 5:28am

I have seen knobs on the upper left corner(RH guitar) by the neck. As far as thickness goes either option works. There are builders who have 4 band equalizer on the side, no reason not having knobs there also. Number one rule for CBG's "There are no rules"!

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Permalink Reply by Steve Rauch on June 12, 2019 at 5:32am

Hi Michael, I've pt the knobs both on the lid and on the top. It's just a matter of YOUR preference. No rules in cbg building.
As to the second question. I make a thin face plate for the knobs and Jack. I then cut a hole in my cbg slightly smaller than the face plate, so i can mount knobs to face plate, run my wires, then i mount the face plate , with per attached knobs over that hole in the thick cbg wall or lid (wherever your'e mounting) .
Hope this helps.
Rock on,
Poor Steve

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Permalink Reply by Michael Pounds on June 12, 2019 at 6:59am

Thanks. Yes, I thought about using a plate.

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on June 12, 2019 at 11:33am

Meh .,,, put em anywhere ;-)

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Permalink Reply by KOOL DOG HOOCH on June 12, 2019 at 11:50am

I always want to do it different, but you take the prize!

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Permalink Reply by Michael Pounds on June 12, 2019 at 1:26pm

That's different!

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Permalink Reply by Henrik Jørgensen on June 14, 2019 at 3:13pm

That's definitely new to me.
You have a cable running the length of the neck on the top of it?

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on June 14, 2019 at 3:35pm

yeah, it runs down the truss rod channel . since the jack is in the head too. ;-) it's glued in and sunk flush . it just looks protruding in the pic .

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Permalink Reply by Henrik Jørgensen on June 15, 2019 at 12:10am

That's wicked!
If at some point you can be bothered, I'd appreciate a picture of the instrument in full :)

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on June 16, 2019 at 1:47pm

Here's a vid .. there's some other weird stuff in there . lol . it's electric razor powered . ;-)

Find more videos like this on Cigar Box Nation

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Permalink Reply by Henrik Jørgensen on June 17, 2019 at 5:10am

One of a kind! I especially love the slide holster.
What are those two pegs protruding from the pickup area?

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on June 17, 2019 at 9:50am

Pegs are from the horseshoe coil that was in the electric razor . i used the coil as a pickup , it seems to pick up between the poles , middle string is a bit quieter than the rest , but not too noticeable .