Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on July 2, 2009 at 9:39am

Hey Bert,

Great boxes... if you're building strictly "acoustic", then I'd suggest that you build "on the bottom". If you're installing a pup (piezo or mag), top will do fine.

Fret away, I fretted my # 2 and it was easier than I thought. Just take your time. Fretsaw OK, but you can save money with a "flush cut saw".... Get the wire. If you don't have a preference (Fender electric players like "jumbo"), I start with a medium size....

This may be your first, but probably not your last. Don't over think it... have fun...

the best,

Wichita Sam

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Permalink Reply by William Bannier on July 2, 2009 at 9:52am

I've seen several CBGs around the net made from Cohiba boxes, so they should serve you well.

This is going to be my first: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/2592684:Photo:82474?context=user

Just arrived in the mail today and is waiting at home for me. :-)

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Permalink Reply by bert on July 2, 2009 at 1:16pm

cheers guys. nice box by the way william. took a little look at one of those myself. the guy i bought the boxes from wants to post to us only so im trying to convince a friend over there to post them to the uk for me.. ha ha.

i think i want to use a piezo transducer. i also have seen a few resenator style cbgs that i like but im not to up on how they work. think i saw one made with a paint can lid. ive been looking at a few different ways of doing sound holes to and am thinking i might try and use an old chrome headlight surround.

im a tattooist by trade so asthetics are my thang. hopefully it will play nice to. like i said i cant play for toffees but i do have a fairly good understanding of good guitars and quality craftsmenship and sound.

that being said its a cigar box and a stick so its about enjoyment and personality as much as music

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Permalink Reply by Paul Doug on July 2, 2009 at 3:38pm

I didn't even have a cigar box for my first build, I made a box. Now I am cigar box poor! I have around 40! The hardest part for me with fretting was finding a steel rule with metric! So much easier to lay out with metric, at least to me. There are several fret calculators on the Internet, just search "fret calculator". Most will do inches or metric. The thing that really helped me and to the mystery out of the building was the DVD I bought off e-bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Make-Your-Own-Cigar-Box-Guitar-Region-Free-DVD_...

He makes it all so simple.

By the way those boxes you won will make awesome guitars

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Permalink Reply by Sven Pfitt on July 2, 2009 at 4:11pm

I bought several boxes off e{vil}bay before I found a local supplier that was cheaper.

Looks like you got a better deal than I did.

Nice looking boxes.

(I'm missing my half of the last digit of my little finger on my left hand, so I'm thinking of switching to 3 string from 4 string.)

3-Finger Sven?

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Permalink Reply by William Bannier on July 2, 2009 at 4:46pm

Sounds just as good as any other old blues name. ;-)

3-Finger Sven?

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on July 2, 2009 at 4:57pm

If you're looking for a steel "Yardstick" that has both SAE and Metric, try Lowes, HomeDepot or Harbor Freight Tools... The all sell them for between $ 5-7. Absolute essential for laying out fretboard....

the best,

Wichita Sam


Paul Doug said:

I didn't even have a cigar box for my first build, I made a box. Now I am cigar box poor! I have around 40! The hardest part for me with fretting was finding a steel rule with metric! So much easier to lay out with metric, at least to me. There are several fret calculators on the Internet, just search "fret calculator". Most will do inches or metric. The thing that really helped me and to the mystery out of the building was the DVD I bought off e-bay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Make-Your-Own-Cigar-Box-Guitar-Region-Free-DVD_...

He makes it all so simple.

By the way those boxes you won will make awesome guitars

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