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Anyone Care to Help Out a Fellow Builder?

Posted by Will T on December 26, 2013 at 12:27pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

To all -

I've built several Cigar Box Instruments this past year. 3 & 4 string guitars, a couple of Ukes, and I also just finished a 4 string Bass. They all turned out pretty decent.

I'd like to build a really good sounding "reso" CBG. I like to play Country Blues and I think having a CBG like that would be a blast. I'll probably add a pickup also. I could use some help on the specifics involved - in particular what worked good for the cone, bridge, etc. and how you assembled those parts.  If anyone would care to offer up some details or point me to a good web site I'd really appreciate it!

Peace,

 Chaplain Will

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Replies

  • Will T December 28, 2013 at 2:07pm

    Once again - my thanks to all who have replied so far. I'd really appreciate hearing from others as well.  I totally get the idea of "no right or wrong way" when it comes to CBG's - which is one reason why I think they're way cool! But, I'd also like to at least be "shopping in the right aisle" if you know what I mean! ;<) So - thanks again, Will

    • jawbone > Will T December 29, 2013 at 12:48pm

      306208253?profile=originalHere's the pieces of one.

      • Will T > jawbone December 29, 2013 at 1:11pm

        Thanks man - that photo / layout is much appreciated! 

  • Michael Fred Johnson December 28, 2013 at 7:02am

    Here is a drawing of one I recently finished.Plus a photo of the finished job.Also used dog /cat bowls for reso's see photo's on my page.306211753?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024306212896?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

    • Duke > Michael Fred Johnson December 29, 2013 at 10:53am

      Michael, Wow, that is one beautiful guitar!

    • Will T > Michael Fred Johnson December 28, 2013 at 11:38am

      Thanks - really appreciate the info!

  • Rand Moore December 26, 2013 at 7:24pm

    Hi Will,

    There are some groups on CBN that specialize in Reso-CBGs, and I have put together a kind of information page in my CBN group that gets a lot of Reso-CBG questions, so it might be a good location to go to if you want to read-up on the topic. Here's the link to my CBN group: Home Made Resonator Boxes 101, v.2.0 (scroll down to the section titled "4. Resonator Cigar Box Guitars".) There are links to several resonator cone makers, including Old Lowe.

  • Bad Finger (Eric) December 26, 2013 at 6:55pm

    Old Lowe for the cones

    Mojobone Works (Randy Bretz) for the biscuits . . .and slides!

     

    Once the builder's challenge submission period is over, I'll post a video with Ron's Guitar construction details.

     

    Here's a video of the first reso I built.

     

     

    The thing I will tell you is to get everything set up for fretting, but don't cut slots until you know 100% for certain what the exact nut to bridge distance is going to be.  Don't cut the slots based on what you want the scale length to be.  It can be done, but you will sweat and worry the whole time during construction to ensure your engineering came out exact.  I'd use the phrase "bug's nuts", but since we have a guy on here with the handle 407bug, I'll refrain.  So forget I said your measurements have to come out bug's nuts.

     

    So yeah, get the neck in the box with the fret board glued on and your cone in place and the biscuit resting in the right spot. Then measure the scale length to the nearest 1/2mm and record it.  Then you can disassemble, cut fret slots and finish profiling the neck.

     

    If you want any more details, PM me here or check out my facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/BadFingerCBG

     

    Hint:  You may find that video I haven't posted here if you look around on Facebook.

     

     

    • Will T > Bad Finger (Eric) December 26, 2013 at 10:16pm

      Mr Bad Finger:

      Thanks very much - great info / advice and I much appreciate it!

      C.W.

  • Will T December 26, 2013 at 4:39pm

    Thanks very much! Good advice - Will do.

    And here's where I own up to my ignorance here... How do I contact him / and or view his page? thanks again, CW

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