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Hen's teeth

H from Bournemouth

I'm new to the CBG scene, having been hooked in by my brother in law. I've built 3 CBGs - a 3 string, 2 string and 1 string. (next a stomp box?).

Anyhow I'm finding that getting materials is far from easy. Cigar boxes are scarce and command a premium price. I've found the best source is actually cigar shops. Ebay has some but pricey and it isn't easy to see if the advertised box is really what you want. Likewise, wood for the neck takes some determination. I've used, old sofa parts, broom handle, stair spindle, and eucalyptus from Travis Perkins, but maple and oak 2x1" are hard to find. Even thin mahogany sheet took me ages to locate. Luckily pegs and strings are commonplace.

It seems ironic that an instrument originally made by poor folks with cheap commonplace materials has become one made from expensive scarce materials! Perhaps this is a British phenomenon as the guys across the pond don't seem to have a problem.

Then again - is it me?

Jock

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Bowes on November 29, 2014 at 2:19am

Michael

Thanks, only just switch on to corain as a material for nuts, got my first delivery of pen planks today, 10 for £10.00 this should do 20 plus nuts.

Permalink Reply by john mackay on November 29, 2014 at 4:13am

you can get cbg from here to....

http://www.humidorsonline.co.uk/empty-cigar-boxes-c-321_548.html

as for timber,I just bought some off ebay.keep looking and wait till the last minute and put in what your prepared to pay.

I got 12 beechwood for £24 in shipping that worked out at £2 a neck!

from here http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/ayesha-simba/m.html?item=291276321160&...

I got fret board made by this guy and not bad price either.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/igothelot/m.html?item=371052695642&ha...

if you email them and ask for what you want they will sell to you no problem.

I got my walnut frets cheaper than if from ebay.

goog luck in finding what you want.john

Permalink Reply by Jock MacHinery on November 29, 2014 at 4:22am

I just bought some sapele from Homebase (Richard Burbidge hardwood). 12x55x2400 for a few £. I sawed it to 35mm wide then laminated two lengths to get 24mm thick, and planed that to 20mm. Just right for my dulcimer neck. Lovely colour too.

My wife found me some 3mm mahogany sheet in a local dolls house shop! Just the ticket for fret board.

Who needs a lumber yard!

Permalink Reply by john mackay on November 29, 2014 at 7:50am

here is some on ebay.

you could double the amount by cutting into two pieces.

dress them up and stick half back on ebay and get ya money back...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMERICAN-WHITE-OAK-PLANED-ALL-SIDES-OFFCU...

Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on December 10, 2014 at 9:54pm

Hi Jock - nothing worthwhile is easy! I get boxes imported from USA but yes, they are expensive, I usually buy a few at a time and end up paying £9 - £12 a box including shipping and import duty....if I visited the US I would take an empty suitcase..! ;-)

I managed to find a hardwood supplier tucked away behind a car wash out in the sticks for planed Oak neck blanks, fretboards sawn from hardwood flooring pieces, other parts from reliable sellers on ebay, on my 101st build now so things gone on far longer than I expected :-)

Permalink Reply by john mackay on December 18, 2014 at 8:34am

why buy from the USA Steve ? buy them from here in the UK.

http://www.humidorsonline.co.uk/empty-cigar-boxes-c-321_548.html