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First Question: Fiber/Paper Cigar Boxes

Hello everyone, another newbie here. Did not know this world existed and am very interested in getting started. My interest is to play 12 bar blues with a slide. I'd like to make an electric Diddley Bow and a 3 string CBG (electrified). I'm also planning on converting an old transistor radio to "make" an amp. I'm not afraid to run my ignorance up the flagpole in the interest of learning something, so i hope you will allow a couple of questions.

I've seen Diddley Bows made on just a board, and then I've seen 'em with a Cigar Box. I would imagine that the box is less important accoustically with the Diddley Bow. (Correct?)

The reason I ask is that I have a cool old El Paxo Superiores (Cabinets) box that is pretty small and thin. (9-1/8" x 5-3/8" x 1-7/16"). It is all paper (no wood). Would that make a good Diddley Bow? Would you orient the box long-ways or sideways? (And why?)

I think I'm going to try to make my own pickup for the Diddley Bow out of a transformer with rare earth magnets in the middle.

The second cigar box I got from my dad is an old King Edward Invincible.) (8-7/8" x 5-3/4" x 2-1/2") It is also all paper (no wood). Would you recommend making anything from a non-wood cigar box? Is there a way I can improve a fibre box accoustically (like putting wood panels inside) or is that just stupid (better to start with a wood box). I think I already know the answer to that one.

Regarding pickups for the 3-string CBG, is there a page anyone can give me a link to that discusses the relative merits of the Piezo vs Humbucker vs regular guitar pickup (for 6 string) - and especially which one is recommended for 12 bar blues?

Thanks in advance for any replies!

Respectfully,
Darren

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on May 5, 2014 at 1:42pm

you'll hear many opinions. I've used wood boxes with paper lids for guitars, but I still like all wood boxes. most diddly bows I've seen have no box, but adding a box would increase the acoustic volume... Funny, I just built a Diddley bow last week, and used an old transformer. I found it worked better with only one rare earth magnet, set about 1/8" under the string... 3 magnets were muted... not sure why...

Electric guitars use coil pickups, most acoustics (even modern ones) use acoustic (Piezo) pickups. They sound different, and perform different... I am no expert, but I've built over a dozen CBG's. 2 have coil pickups. Personally, I like the simplicity and the sound of the piezo pickups... but the electrics have their place, too...

I don't see why you'd NEED either type of pickup for blues... remember, there are no rules... There are a lot of threads here on Piezo's, just be sure to cover the exposed side. If you don't, it'll squeal like a pig!

john

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on May 5, 2014 at 5:44pm

I don't know if I'd go as far as saying paper is worthless, though... I've built some nice sounding CBG's that have wood boxes and paper lids... they tend to be warmer, if I recall...

Like Wayfinder said: Build it! if you don't like it, rip the box off and try another!

John

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on May 6, 2014 at 1:52pm

No rules, right? Now somewhere I have an old Dutch Masters Box...

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Permalink Reply by Darren Addy on May 6, 2014 at 5:16am

Thanks to those who took the time to reply!

I agree: This stuff is so easy/cheap that rather than talk about it you might as well just TRY it and learn something in the process. Still, it's by talking about it that some of the concepts start to gel in my mind.

Made my first Cigar Box Diddley Box last night: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelsmithy/

My coworker is the lead guitarist for his Christian Blues band and he made it sound pretty good! He's excited for me to get my pickup done and he's gonna bring in his amp. I think I'm going to make a Flatpup. I might also make a piezo pickup and wire that to a different jack so I can see the characteristics of each.

(I've got another coworker who collects old radios seeing if he can scrounge me up a D-Cell transistor to turn into an amp).

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Permalink Reply by Muddy Creek Guitars on May 6, 2014 at 2:32pm

Some people love cardboard boxes. I use all kinds: solid wood, plywood, hardboard, cardboard, tin cans, cookie tins etc... They each have a different sound. You should try put different things and see what you like.

For a three stringer, I like to use a piezo disk, but others will disagree, I'm sure. You can really use anything for a diddly bow. Some are just a board with a bottle. If you look at pictures and videos here, you'll see lots of examples!

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Permalink Reply by Marc Brode on May 7, 2014 at 3:57am

I've only made two CBGs, so I am certainly no expert. One was wood (Partages), the other was composite (Don Tomas).

The wooden one sounds better. The DT has a thinner sound, and the high G sounds irritatingly thin.

That being said, it should be noted that there are other differences between these builds. Different sound hole covers for example, and different soundhole sizes too. So maybe the sound difference can be attributed to other factors. I don't know.

As for the Don Thomas, I am going to replace the strings and tune it DAd. Hopefully lowering the pitch of the high string (and the heavier gauge) will thicken the sound.

One more thing... My Don Thomas sure is pretty! And that is always something to keep in mind.