Build The BATFINK Cigar Box Cello - Our most insane DIY instrument plans ever!

A note from Shane: When I received these plans from Ward Shrake several weeks ago, I had to double check my blood alcohol levels to make sure I wasn't imagining things.  Sure enough, I was 100% sober...and I was gazing at a full set of instrument plans based on an obscure episode of the Batfink cartoon from 1966!  

I think these are the wildest set of plans we've ever published!  I dare one of you to build this.  

IMPROVE THESE PLANS?:  If you improve these plans, post them in the comments below.  Also post your finished photos!!!

But first, I present the original cartoon featuring the diabolical Professor Vibrato and his cigar box cello weapon:

Professor Vibrato's Cigar Box Cello - by Ward Shrake

Hey, I'm wondering if maybe you would want to post this stuff I'm sending, onto the "tech article" section, over at Cigar Box Nation?

[I used] screen-grabs from a 1966 TV show and some fan-made measurements to go along with it.  


Even though the TV show only shows one size, I'm including measurements here for two sizes. What I'm calling the "full scale" version (on the sheet of figures) was gonna be way too big to be much like most other real-life "cigar box guitars," in terms of size and shape, so just for kicks, I drew up another at approx half of that "toon" size.That "half scale" version was, to my eyes, a bit too small in "real life". I did some math and (some occasional rounding-off) and to me, a "five-eighth's scale" version looked pretty close in size to what most CBG-building folks would be used to.


Hopefully, you'll get a kick out of this silliness!

Batfink_Cigar-Box-Cello_Analysis-by-Ward-Shrake-1.pdf

 -- Ward Shrake --

Views: 3072

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

"Coolness," Jim Morris! That's the spirit!

Yesterday I mocked up the 23-inch version, as per my written plans. I used "foam core" (flat paper-faced sheets, about 1/4 inch thick) for the two boxes, and a (not quite thick enough, but pretty close) piece of "foundation insulation" for the mock-up of the neck and "lower tube". I'll try to get some pics of that mock-up soon, and post them here, for additional smiles and giggles.

  -- Ward Shrake --

Okay, here's some early mock-up pictures. When I took these photos, I made sure to put common items (some CBG CDs, and the BatFink DVD set, etc.) in the scene, for "scale reference" or a familiar, real-world size comparison.

Note that this isn't the final version, by any means. This is just a "mostly foam" model or mock-up, sort of as a "proof of concept" but also a visual aide to what I had in mind with that hollow tube thingie I mentioned, before ... with this version using the numbers for the 23-inch scale-length version; that is, the one I judged to be closest to "everyday CBG-size".

The pickups shown here aren't necessarily final, either: I just had them handy, and felt it wouldn't be a bad thing to show a pre-wired set of C.B. Gitty three-string humbuckers, spanning the "hollow" lower tube -- but it's basically it's another "size comparison" effort, more than a suggestion or anything I plan to actually do, later.

Note that this isn't a perfectly-perfect mock-up, by any means. The main thing being the neck portion: I had a wide enough (from front view) piece of insulation foam, but it wasn't deep enough. It should be 3/8ths of an inch "deeper" than shown here. And the "actual neck" portion should also (per my drawings, anyway) be that much thicker or deeper. I just ballpark'ed those things, in order to get this done quicker ... figuring I could explain it, and it'd be fine. Main thing is the comparison to CDs, etc.

  -- Ward Shrake --

Attachments:

More "mock-up" pics. The last one has a random (half-finished, for another project, entirely) C. B. Gitty neck -- again, mostly so folks have a familiar size comparison.

In terms of the overall size, this is approximately 57 percent of the size of the one I would call the "full sized" version. Which doesn't make the "big one" sound too-too ridiculously large, until one considers that doubling the size, overall, is really doubling the overall height; and also doubling the overall width; and also the depth. I had to tape three biggish poster-boards together, just to have a piece of paper big enough to contain the "full sized one" -- hence saying that version might make a better "alternative to a wash tub bass" than a "CBG".

  -- Ward Shrake --

Attachments:

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

Handy adhesive

Started by John B Treutlein in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 17. 11 Replies

String noise

Started by Michael Myers in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Michael Myers Mar 17. 6 Replies

Build this Wooden Kick Drum Pedal

Started by Rose Ericson in Feature Articles. Last reply by Slow Mick Mar 16. 35 Replies

Neck though corner

Started by Engblom in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Michael Fred Johnson Feb 28. 6 Replies

Playing a bit!

Started by John B Treutlein in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by John B Treutlein Feb 12. 3 Replies

Latest Activity

Doug Thorsvik posted a video

Because He Lives: 2-String Surf Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

Cigar Box Guitar Slingers - Spokane, 145th Zoom Mtg 03/20/23. Only 1-finger chords, free songbooks here: https://www.cbgslinger.com/downloadCBG Songbook.pdf ...
3 hours ago
James O Lunsford commented on James O Lunsford's video
Thumbnail

Guitar Playing Man

"Thanks Everyone for the comments and likes!"
4 hours ago
James O Lunsford commented on James O Lunsford's video
Thumbnail

Kick Starter Blues

"Thanks, AGP # I've had many a close call. Rode many a year's finally had to give it up…"
4 hours ago
James O Lunsford commented on James O Lunsford's video
Thumbnail

Kick Starter Blues

"Thanks Poorness glad you liked it"
4 hours ago
James O Lunsford commented on James O Lunsford's video
Thumbnail

Kick Starter Blues

"Thanks Uncle I rode. dirt Bikes to claiming hills and jumping went down many a time survive to tell…"
4 hours ago
James O Lunsford commented on James O Lunsford's video
Thumbnail

Kick Starter Blues

"Kick starter 58 Harley was a ruff one to Start. Thanks BrianQ. "
4 hours ago
James O Lunsford commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #492 - ''Muddy''

"Nice Build AGP # a good-looking Rock an Roller good job!"
4 hours ago
James O Lunsford liked AGP #'s photo
4 hours ago
James O Lunsford commented on Uncle John's video
Thumbnail

Statesboro Blues on home made LPG & Iowa Saxophone

"Some mighty fine Blues Uncle John wish I still had enough breath. to play Harmonica fine performance"
4 hours ago
James O Lunsford liked Uncle John's video
4 hours ago
James O Lunsford commented on Poorness Studios's photo
Thumbnail

Is CaliFest happening in 2023?

"Hi, Rick, that would be great! I can always come up with a couple Swamp Witch tunes to contribute.…"
4 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Poorness Studios's photo
Thumbnail

Is CaliFest happening in 2023?

"Richard and Silent Jim.  Good to see you guys.  I am getting so old and forgetful! …"
6 hours ago

Music

© 2023   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->