Posted by Stacey Brooks on August 22, 2009 at 6:08am
OK, so I am totally hooked by the raw, pure sound of a cigar box guitar.The music that comes from these reaches deep into my very soul...and I NEED to build myself one. My problem is finding any actual diagrams or plans with dimensions for the neck and butt etc...and what type of "strings" are best to use. I know, I know...its something that makes each guitar unique but I have OCD about things being exact so all I need is a solid diagram and I can improvise from there....anyone have one or more diagrams they can send? Email staceybrookses@gmail.com Thanks in advance from Copenhagen Denmark where the cbg is a total unkown...for now :D
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Plans or a kit is a good starting point to avoid the worst mistakes.... I didn't have either and I had to "scab" on wood to my headstock of my first build because I didn't allow enough room. Now, no matter what I'm building I allow 5 or 6 inches beyond the nut for headstock... it's easier to cut down than to add on... ;-)
I've bot "how to" from builders well into my building career, because even though I (think I) know want I'd doing, if I can pick up one "trick", it's worth $ 20.
But, it's always more fun to puzzle something out without always depending on someone else. I know that if I get stumped, I can always come back here or the Builder's Forum for help...
I was like you as i came from a very formal musical instrument making background (Still as a hobby); i needed a "solid diagram". In the end i put together the ideas from a pile of plans and videos and ended up with the process you will see in the "plans" section of this forum. Still no "solid diagram" as i gave in (willingly) to the "no rules" rule!
Now i fallen into my "bad old ways" by trying to build a CB "Hurdy gurdy" (I am finding quite difficult) and my next is a CB Clavichord. The next will be a "Steinway Baby Grand" if I do not change my ways. :)
Have fun. I am :)
PS Spent a lot of time in Denmark over the years. Love the country. We Australians "think" we have our "own" Royalty these days!!!!!!!
there are lots of links for fret scale measurement : check teds mad science lab;building 101 ; and I believe secrets from the cbg underground I myself am partial to the stew mac fret calc just get a yard stick that also has mm to make the measurements easier http://www.stewmac.com/FretCalculator
hope this helps
Thanks for all the help, I'd found the basic plans you've all mentioned...glad for the bolt sizes etc but need to know about fret measurements and places to drill on the head type measurment type info...and Wes, feel free to send the google sketchup:D I have tons of basic skills so no worries there. Things are expensive here in Cph, just to bug it is around $30, so will start with it unbugged and see if I can get my Mom in NY to send me a bug for $5 instead - lol. Strings no problem, have a bunch for my gibby, now for a miter box, that I need. I'm aggitating and driving my wife nuts over this project :D but she's young, she'll adjust...maybe I should find 2 kits and build one with her dad? Hmmm...ssuggestions anyone?
First, welcome aboard. Your new obsession will provide you with a great sense of accomplishment and frustration (OCD is ok here).
I assume you have basic skills with a saw and tape measure, yes? That is, can cut a straight line and measure twice. That kind of stuff. There are plans. Brian Lemin has a really good one, and the first one in the list is basic enough anyone can make a CBG. I also have a Google SketchUp file for the completely... obsessed.
Copenhagen eh? Hmmm, some things there might be a little hard to get as they would be here in the US, but there is ebay. Strings? Cheap acoustics unless you are making it electric, then its cheap electric strings. Really, you can use what you want.
There will be more questions I know, but read over the plans and it'll all make sense. First thing to remember -- there are no rules. You can make the CBG any way you want... just look at what's been done.
Word of advice: take some time and look over the 10,400+ pics of our stuff (he he. No not really). It'll give you some idea of how some folks build.
And there is one member here, Shelley, who is in Rotterdam Netherlands if that's any help.
Replies
I've bot "how to" from builders well into my building career, because even though I (think I) know want I'd doing, if I can pick up one "trick", it's worth $ 20.
But, it's always more fun to puzzle something out without always depending on someone else. I know that if I get stumped, I can always come back here or the Builder's Forum for help...
the best,
Wichita Sam
Mortimer Snerd said:
Now i fallen into my "bad old ways" by trying to build a CB "Hurdy gurdy" (I am finding quite difficult) and my next is a CB Clavichord. The next will be a "Steinway Baby Grand" if I do not change my ways. :)
Have fun. I am :)
PS Spent a lot of time in Denmark over the years. Love the country. We Australians "think" we have our "own" Royalty these days!!!!!!!
http://www.stewmac.com/FretCalculator
hope this helps
http://home.hiwaay.net/~jehle/store/CBG-DVD.htm
And Welcome aboard!
I assume you have basic skills with a saw and tape measure, yes? That is, can cut a straight line and measure twice. That kind of stuff. There are plans. Brian Lemin has a really good one, and the first one in the list is basic enough anyone can make a CBG. I also have a Google SketchUp file for the completely... obsessed.
Copenhagen eh? Hmmm, some things there might be a little hard to get as they would be here in the US, but there is ebay. Strings? Cheap acoustics unless you are making it electric, then its cheap electric strings. Really, you can use what you want.
There will be more questions I know, but read over the plans and it'll all make sense. First thing to remember -- there are no rules. You can make the CBG any way you want... just look at what's been done.
Word of advice: take some time and look over the 10,400+ pics of our stuff (he he. No not really). It'll give you some idea of how some folks build.
And there is one member here, Shelley, who is in Rotterdam Netherlands if that's any help.
Good Luck!
-Wes