Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Andy Eight Spades CBG on July 5, 2011 at 9:11pm

Same problem here. I get no more money for parts save for what I make when I sell them.

I say just jump in. I just sold my first on eBay and I'm a bit nervous but the guitar looks great and sounds great.....i just hope the buyer likes it. And its not like these cost an arm and a leg. I think a buyer or collector would appreciate it even if it weren't "perfect". It is a CBG after all. No two are the same.

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Permalink Reply by Habanera Hal on July 6, 2011 at 8:45am

Funny, I'm in a similar situation. The wife is pressuring me to sell them at craft fairs and such.  I've built ten, given away four (1 to sister, 1 to boss, 2 to Wounded Warriors), have four I wouldn't part with, so I only have two to sell.  She doesn't understand that this is a creative art, not a production line.  I probably will have enough to sell at some point, but I want it to continue to be fun.  I want to experiment with different configurations (which may or may not be saleable) and woods, maybe try some dulcimers and kalimbas,  She thinks I can make a second income off this, while I am very critical of my own work.

jim Kasmir said:

I would like to resurrect this discussion because I just had 'The Talk' myself and I have only built ten guitars! She doesn't understand that they aren't good enough to sell yet. I said that I need to just keep building so that I arrive at a point where I feel confident about what I am selling.
Anybody with experience with this could help a lot by giving your two cents. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Hellhound Custom Built Guitars on July 6, 2011 at 4:00pm

I am glad to hear that one of my guitars is one of your favorites. I am up to build 45 and my craftsmanship improves with each build. I was nervous about my first sale, was it good enough for someone to pay me to build it ,would they be happy with my work and creativity. Well i had only 4 builds under my belt before I decided to sell and the 1st build was a dust collector ( which later on got reworked into a nice little guitar purchased by Mr. Cris Portillo Jr also a nation member)any ways 45 builds completed and I only hold on to one. So I say go for it  as long as you trust your craftsmansip and the sound quality is there , sell one and let some one review it ya got nothing to lose. It was hard to part with most guitars that I've built because they all are unique and some were just plain mojo on a stick. So yes it can be a nice little side business but now there are so many builders out there its crazy ( I just hope they love building them as much as do) becase when the love goes in great sounds come out. I love to hear other people play my guitars so please post a video I'd love see it.

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Permalink Reply by jim Kasmir on July 6, 2011 at 8:49pm

If I can figure out how to post a video I will do it. But I want to say thank you for all the input, fellas. First off it's nice to know that others are in similar situations, I really identified with what Hal Sparter said: I want building to remain fun. With a family with two 13 year old twins and a 24 year old man child who does not want to leave the house, I really find solace and therapeutic value in building guitars on weekends and whenever I can find the time. I am driven to build these things; I almost don't feel in control of this feeling. That's one side of it; the other is the business side. I just don't want to endanger the passion side. I feel like I have found a wonderful little area of interest here which combines building cbg's and being a part of this Internet family of friends. It is important to me. Isn't that worth a little expense? Happiness, solace, community. Even if I never sell one damn guitar, I don't care. My wife does not understand that. But what price do you put on happiness and solace?????

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Permalink Reply by jim Kasmir on July 6, 2011 at 9:05pm

Cotton eyed Joe. You rock!!!!!! I aspire to build a guitar as good as the one you sold me! I love it! And since I can't buy anymore guitars, I am so happy that I got one of yours, as well as a super build by tiny guitars. In fact I played your guitar so much that the box fell apart and I need to spend some time this weekend gluing it back together. A great sounding box. Beautiful punch box with hum bucker. If anyone out there is looking to buy a CBG, you will get a great deal from Cotton Eyed Joe!

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