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First timer looking for a few tips

I haven't even made my first cut on the box, and I'm actually still just reaching and gathering information.

I have a few questions. If anyone can help me, I would really appreciate it.

I've want to use some type of material to prevent the tension of the strings from digging into the wood. I've noticed in several pictures, like the ones below, that some type of metal gromet or fitting was used. What are they called and where would I be able to purchase them?

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/secondhands-cigar-box-guitar-1?...

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/hareware-store-special-1?contex...

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/100_2377-1?context=latest

Also, what are some good common items to use for basic sound hole covers and where are some good stores to looks for them at? I'm guessing mostly drain covers...but that's all I got right now, maybe I just need to scan every aisle at lowe's for ideas. :)

Thanks again.

Thanks again for any information or pointers you have for a complete noob.

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Permalink Reply by Ben on April 14, 2009 at 3:33am

Hey Man, Welcome to the site. I just finished my first CBG about 2 weeks ago and am very pleased with the results. I was having the same trouble you were having with the "eyelets." I found that a local craft store A.C. Moore had them on their website in a million different styles but the store close to me only had some cheap multicolored ones. I ended up super-gluing a "finishing brad" across the front of the holes to help with this problem. You can check it out in my pictures. I also used these brads for my frets. I hope this helps. Its not as pretty but it works. Also, if you have time, check out the "Building mistakes" forum. Always a good read. Happy Building!
-Ben

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Permalink Reply by William Westbrook on April 14, 2009 at 4:33am

thx 4 the info, Ben. Ya, I'm just trying to take it slow on the first one to learn as much as I can. I know I'll be making mistakes. I'm just going to take my time and hopefully I see what will make things easier as I continue to build another one.

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Permalink Reply by Cogdell boy (Robert J.) on April 14, 2009 at 4:57am

William ,What I used on the "hardware store special " was small brass flat washers super glued over the holds and small brass nuts on the bottom to keep the string nut from pulling into the wood . Hope this helps....... check out Lowes or Home D. Good luck and have fun , you'll soon be hooked too :)

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Permalink Reply by TBird Tal on April 14, 2009 at 10:20am

William, Welcome to the world. If you can get out of Lowes and find an old fashioned hardware store, there's hours of browsing for shiny bits. Eyelet grommets from a shoe repair shop provide some good string buffers, bet they can be had at a craft shop like Michael's or Pat Catan's (big national chains) I frequent Big Lots and Ollie's for stuff that might be out of fashion at Lowes, like brass-look drain strainers. Keep an eye open for the unusual part of a piece of junk at a flea market that might fit the bill. It'll become an addiction you have to feed.

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Permalink Reply by surffrogg on April 14, 2009 at 12:45pm

william you can also cut the ball end off an old set of strings and stik that in here lot of guys do that

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Permalink Reply by William Westbrook on April 14, 2009 at 1:12pm

thx for all the tips guys. I check out lowe's for a little bit today...I just grab shining stuff to sift through later on. I've got a Michael's and a Hobby Lobby in my town, so I'll have to check those out .

Like I said, taking it slow. Just doing the basic piezo transducer for now, and probably the first few. I'd like to eventually work up to a pickup with volume and tone controls, and all the bells and whistles. I'm sure like anything, that will have to come with time and experience. But if I ever finish this first one. I'll be sure to post the pics

Thanks for all the help. I appreciate it.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Doug on April 14, 2009 at 3:04pm

I used rivets on my first guitar. I believe that is what you see in the first picture. Welcome to the forum. Another suggestion I have is get this DVD:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Make-Your-Own-Cigar-Box-Guitar-Region-Free-DVD_...

It took all the mystery out of the project and got me going full bore.

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Permalink Reply by BT Cohosh on April 15, 2009 at 12:32pm

Hey William--

I use a fret-like arrangement immediately above where the strings come through. It's just a piece of bicycle spoke laid into a groove cut with a handsaw. You could use finishing nails, copper wire, etc...

It's easy, looks clean.

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Permalink Reply by dg on April 15, 2009 at 5:12pm

like ben I just finished my first one. and I used the rivet I picked up that idea somewhere on this sight. I did the same thing took it real slow. I was scared as hell to even start the neck, anyway the rivets work great and they look good. I used replacment tarp gromets for sound holes I thought ( to myself) there is noway Im going to get any sound out of these but they work good.

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Permalink Reply by Gloria on June 10, 2009 at 3:33pm

Hi I just joined the site myself, and its already proved useful. I'm sure others have some great ideas, and answers for you. I use super small brass washers on the underside sometimes to secure the end of strings.