First time builder, I'm addicted!

Hi folks, I'm a new member and a new builder so be gentle with me. I made my first cigar box guitar about 2 months ago and to be honest I've never stopped since. I'm trying to keep them simple but trying to add something new to each one. Just trying to fit some time in around work to build them. These are some of the guitars I've made so far...

So mostly cigar box guitars but a couple made from jewelry boxes, an oil can guitar and a diddly bo. Most are pretty simple efforts with a piezo pickup, only one is actually fretted and has volume control.
I read somewhere that this can become an obsession and I think it has become one!

Replies

Clarky November 22, 2012 at 4:32am

Thanks folks, it's strange, I love the first one I made and the oil can one, then I've got a few that I look at now and think I want to pull it apart and salvage some parts. My recent ones are getting better. Learning all the time. Great website here though, I've learned a lot from you guys already.
Thomas "Duck" Petry November 21, 2012 at 3:24pm

Half the fun is putting it all together and hearing it when you get done. That and seeing a new box and wondering what it would sound like and ooh, look at the wood on that box...Pretty! It's not really an addiction, really, I can quit anytime I want, after the next build, or maybe just one more after that. :)>
Ron "Oily" Sprague November 21, 2012 at 1:16pm

Them's nice gits, man! Welcome to the Addiction.
RTZGUITARS November 21, 2012 at 10:54am

Now you get to go to meetings with the rest of us. Nice cbg's sir
Bluesheart November 20, 2012 at 5:10pm

Clearly addicted! Some nice builds in there. There are worse things you could be doing with your time. Playing them all will slow down the building a little bit!
Order99 November 9, 2012 at 11:33pm

Don't feel bad about the lack of tools Justin-most of my builds are the result of a pocketknife, manual keyhole saw, screwdrivers, clamps, glue and a very overworked dremel. Just use what you've got, it's part of the fun!
- Clarky > Order99 November 10, 2012 at 6:41pm
  
  Apart from my drill I do everything manually. I wouldn't mind adding some power tools to save time and maybe come up with some more imaginitive headstock designs etc.
smilingdog1 November 8, 2012 at 6:16pm

Great looking CBG's. You might try adding a solid bridge just ahead of the ferrules measuring between nut and bridge for intonation, this would improve volume and sustain. Another technique I find helpful is making a template for my necks where they join the box. This will eliminate any gaps and reduce building time drastically for your next one. I have several different neck styles and several routing templates to match. Cuts out all that remeasuring and ensures accuracy. I use a thin sheet of maple ply 1/4" works great, easier to work with and holds it's edge for reuse.
- Clarky > smilingdog1 November 9, 2012 at 5:07am
  
  Thanks for the tips, I'm a total amateur to be honest and I've just been making it up as I go along. I've been lucky so far in that 11 out of 12 builds have worked and can be played. The advice on the gap where the neck joins the box is great thanks, it's pretty annoying.
  
  I'm slowly building up a set of decent tools to work with too. I started out with nothing (and I still got most of it left). :D
  - smilingdog1 > Clarky November 9, 2012 at 5:43am
    
    I've kept my first build as a humorous inspiration to remind me that things can only get better. What I find unique about all of the cigar box community is the openness to share our ideas, thus I have salvaged many helpful hints from others. Anyway twelve makes is a lot for one just getting started. Keep em rolling!

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