Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Blues Frog on November 4, 2015 at 3:26pm

Bill,

There are many articles that you can find about what affects the sound on your guitar, but speaking from a non-luthier point of view... The top of the guitar affects the resonance. The thinner the material the more it changes the sound.

You can attribute the sond change to pickups, strings, etc., but the top, the soundboard, in my opinion is the major part of the sound.

Just to add, for anyone else to pipe in on, but I have no idea if the neck makes any difference in sound.

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Permalink Reply by William Burson on November 4, 2015 at 4:53pm

Thanks Blue for pointing me in the right direction.  I also wonder if the wood that is used on the top as well as the rest of the "body" is directly responsible for the sound of the guitar.  For instance, spruce vs. mahoghany, maple vs. oak, tight grain vs. wide grain ect....   Can you give me any recommendations as to the "best" material to use for exceptional resonance and a nice bluesy type of sound?  Any input is much appreciated!

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Permalink Reply by Primitive Acoustics on November 4, 2015 at 6:34pm

The variables are infinite and they all matter in varying degrees, but don't worry about finding the "right" or "best" materials and the one proper way to assemble them. The process of building your cbgs is what reveals the answers to your questions because each one is unique. Build just one and have it be exactly what you were looking for? Unlikely.....After building 10 you will start to wonder where it all ends.
Just start with something simple, lots of info on this site. Checkout Richey Kay's blogs. http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profiles/blog/list?user=200um97qg8axy a wealth of info right there.
I am including two links that will provide you with much to think about in terms of wood, materials, and acoustic sound. Have fun, can't wait to see your first creation.

http://taflab.berkeley.edu/acoustics-of-sound-holes-in-musical-inst...

http://bourgeoisguitars.net/tonewoods-htm/

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Permalink Reply by Jim Saraceno on November 5, 2015 at 3:21am

One thing that can really make a difference is whether you are talking about acoustic sound or electric sound. If you are going totally electric, using pickup as opposed to a piezo, you can do just about anything. I've see shovels and brooms turned into really great sounding guitars when played through an amplifier but they probably wouldn't have much sound with out one.

I have only made three CBGs so far and as others have said, each one sounds good and each one is different. For my first, I used a Cohiba box that was about 1/4" thick cedar lid. It has great rounded bass sounds. The second I used a box that had a 1/8" plywood lid. That has brilliant treble sounds but the strings pressing down on the lid made it cave in so I had to take it apart, put some bracing inside and so far it seems to be holding. The third box has a lid about 3/16" thick solid lid (I'm guessing it is cedar but I'm not sure). It is probably the most well rounded of the three with both bass and treble shining through and great volume also. All of these are strictly acoustical guitars; when I get done experimenting with them I'll add piezos so I can amplify them if I want.

There is a guy on here that was making his lids out of cedar shingles. With your cabinetry experience, you would probably find his posts interesting...http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profiles/blogs/getting-better-acousti...

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Permalink Reply by Jim Saraceno on November 5, 2015 at 11:30am

FYI... I looked at that third CBG and the lid is also plywood.

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Permalink Reply by William Burson on November 5, 2015 at 2:46pm

Thanks to everyone for your replies;  I will have to do some experimentation to be sure.  But your tips are definetly getting me started on the right path I believe.  I just want to make sure I have all of my materials in order and a build plan in place before I start.  I think this is going to be a lot of fun, and look forward to getting started! 

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on November 5, 2015 at 10:50pm

Every part of an instrument adds it's influence to the sound.

You want a hardwood for the neck. All types offer a special tone, some are bright some are dark and some are in the middle.

Box. The cheaper plywood ones offer their own personality and sound good, but I prefer the solid wood type boxes. Those usually have a thicker top though. If your handy with tools, you can thin the top and make it sound louder. Thin top and big box equals louder acoustics.

Whatever you dream up, build it and have fun with it.

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on November 6, 2015 at 3:53am

Yep, if you are talking about acoustic sound, I would say the box makes all the difference. A larger box with a thinner soundboard provides more volume, at least if you are careful in the construction. No CBG has the amount of volume as a "regular" acoustic guitar, but that is part of the charm I believe. I can practice away without bugging the rest of the household. The unpredictability is a big part of the fun. I'm with the others, just knock out the first one and get to playing. You will learn a lot and it will help you know what direction you want to take on the next one, or two , or three. It sounds like you may be making your own boxes and if so, I would take clues from time tested materials. Hardwoods for the back and sides and a soft wood for the top, thin and light and strong.

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Permalink Reply by RTZGUITARS on November 7, 2015 at 5:42pm

This site has more then enough pictures to give you a idea what to try then try again. Tone is all in the box and the way you attach the neck to the box.

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