I am going to attempt my first cbg and hopefully things go well. First off, is there an optimum size / dimensions that is desirable for the cigar box? I am hoping to some day make a couple 6 strings. And I am planning on making my own boxes. Any advice on making my own boxes? Thanks.
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With as many people as we have around here willing to jump in and lend a hand, you almost don't need luck. Just send us updates and lots of pictures as we all love to see what you come up with.
I actually cover ideal box dimensions in the book I wrote (available in the free plans section of this site). For a six string guitar with 25.5" scale, you want between 11" and 12" minimum.
Thanks for the advice! I have found a cigar shop around here that will sell me boxes! Of course I will make a few of my own. I imagine that it will take a few trys till things start to work out.
I just started a 6 sting build and found a DON TOMAS box that is 10 1/2 x 6 and another DON TOMAS that is 10 1/2 x 8 and put them up against each other and cut out the center section of the now "big box". It is now a 10 1/2 x 14. They even have the same yellow paper covering. Don Tomas also has black boxes that come in these sizes
It's a tough question and I am planning on building something similar. I measured a Taylor 414 acoustic guitar body I had and I also measured my electric guitar body's. For me it has to be comfortable to play and sound good. I'm leaning towards building a body around 10" on up to 12" wide by 15" long by 3" thick. I have not decided on exact dimensions yet, but something around these dimensions.
Most cigar box builds do not have a big acoustic sound anywhere close to a Taylor or Martin acoustic. I do like the tone many builders get out of the small CBG's amplified though. The best sounding cigar box style guitar I have heard used a larger box made out of solid pine (it was not a cigar box).
Replies
I just started a 6 sting build and found a DON TOMAS box that is 10 1/2 x 6 and another DON TOMAS that is 10 1/2 x 8 and put them up against each other and cut out the center section of the now "big box". It is now a 10 1/2 x 14. They even have the same yellow paper covering. Don Tomas also has black boxes that come in these sizes
Matt
It's a tough question and I am planning on building something similar. I measured a Taylor 414 acoustic guitar body I had and I also measured my electric guitar body's. For me it has to be comfortable to play and sound good. I'm leaning towards building a body around 10" on up to 12" wide by 15" long by 3" thick. I have not decided on exact dimensions yet, but something around these dimensions.
Most cigar box builds do not have a big acoustic sound anywhere close to a Taylor or Martin acoustic. I do like the tone many builders get out of the small CBG's amplified though. The best sounding cigar box style guitar I have heard used a larger box made out of solid pine (it was not a cigar box).