#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

"How do they DO it?!"

About 6 months and 5 builds into my CBG obsession, I've been making very good progress, especially considering that I did not come from a technical or mechanically-inclined background. Plus, I've met some very helpful and fascinating people since I've joined with CBNation.

That being said, when I look at the photos of other peoples' build here, and see just how bloody gorgeous they are, I want to pull my hair out.

In fact, I feel just like Robert Crumb in this comic strip he did about his hero Harvey Kurtzman, the cartoonist and founding editor of MAD...

I sincerely hope I'm not alone in this.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robert John Spotti on December 22, 2010 at 2:00pm

Hang in there Scotty.None of us start off as masters.There is beauty in every effort.Five builds in six months I'd say you were very productive and with that comes perfection.Well at the least improvement.I feel that way about my playing sometimes then I hit a few good licks and the world comes into balance again! Just keep building!!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mister Scott on December 22, 2010 at 2:06pm

:-) Thanks for the vote of confidence, Robert... a testament to the supportive nature of this forum!

Robert John Spotti said:

Hang in there Scotty.None of us start off as masters.There is beauty in every effort.Five builds in six months I'd say you were very productive and with that comes perfection.Well at the least improvement.I feel that way about my playing sometimes then I hit a few good licks and the world comes into balance again! Just keep building!!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by colin mcgrath on December 22, 2010 at 3:03pm

I am 100% with you on that statement Scotty. I have wondered that myself on many of the builds I have seen here. Chin up man you gain experience with each build you do.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mister Scott on December 22, 2010 at 3:04pm

Solidarity!!

colin mcgrath said:

I am 100% with you on that statement Scotty. I have wondered that myself on many of the builds I have seen here. Chin up man you gain experience with each build you do.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Shawn on December 22, 2010 at 4:17pm

I use to work at a gazebo company and found the joys of jig's Jig's help with somethings that you have to repeat like string spacing and fret spacing. On my first 3 string I eye balled the spacing ( came out crappy) but on my next I took great pain in getting it right then took that info and made a jig so everyone after that was the same. As I know I will be using the same size of wood for all my 3 strings necks it helps to speed up that part. On my fret placment I took a straight edge and fixed a paper templet that I printed out and spray glued it to it. That way I can lay it next to the fret board and mark the placements on the fret board. Then use a square to mark full across the fret board. Same with head stock make one you like and works good and make a jig for it out of acrilic with tuner holes. I also do this for F- holes and pickups hole. I now have one for single coil & humbuckers as well as old Tesco pickups. I have gone so far as to make a jig for nut to bridge to get it close to final placment that way I can check a box first to see if it will work before starting the build ( saved me making that mistake agine). I also did this for neck pockets as well.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mister Scott on December 22, 2010 at 4:42pm

Shawn, how does one make an acrylic jig for something like f-holes or tuner holes?

Shawn said:

I use to work at a gazebo company and found the joys of jig's Jig's help with somethings that you have to repeat like string spacing and fret spacing. On my first 3 string I eye balled the spacing ( came out crappy) but on my next I took great pain in getting it right then took that info and made a jig so everyone after that was the same. As I know I will be using the same size of wood for all my 3 strings necks it helps to speed up that part. On my fret placment I took a straight edge and fixed a paper templet that I printed out and spray glued it to it. That way I can lay it next to the fret board and mark the placements on the fret board. Then use a square to mark full across the fret board. Same with head stock make one you like and works good and make a jig for it out of acrilic with tuner holes. I also do this for F- holes and pickups hole. I now have one for single coil & humbuckers as well as old Tesco pickups. I have gone so far as to make a jig for nut to bridge to get it close to final placment that way I can check a box first to see if it will work before starting the build ( saved me making that mistake agine). I also did this for neck pockets as well.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on December 22, 2010 at 5:00pm

Just remember: Perfect is the enemy of Done.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mister Scott on December 22, 2010 at 5:01pm

Josh, I feel safe in saying: you're one of the builders I was talking about...

Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) said:

Just remember: Perfect is the enemy of Done.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on December 22, 2010 at 5:08pm

Took a few years for me to get here too. Just keep challenging yourself. It comes.

Scotty C. said:

Josh, I feel safe in saying: you're one of the builders I was talking about...

Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) said:

Just remember: Perfect is the enemy of Done.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Keni Lee Burgess on December 22, 2010 at 10:20pm

I would just like to say that, it is true some builders here, have made some amazing leaps in their abilities. I would not let this discourage you. Everyone has a different learning curve. If you are persistent and keep learning new things (be careful not to just keep repeating the same process, thinking it will magically change things to the better) in time you will break into higher ground. Additionally, I have found it is difficult to truly appreciate my own achievements. I am quite hard on myself at times too. As my teacher would say, "Stop wallowing in self pity and get to work already". Better Days in 2010. Enjoy your practice.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JUJU on December 22, 2010 at 10:56pm

i think the main problem is you dont beleive in yourself enough to think you can do it - think positive and it will come - like josh said it takes time ..speaking of time i can spend 2-4 weeks on a build in that time i know of other builders that could have made 3 or 4 guitars ...whats the Rush ! slow down and think what your doing or want to do materials dont come cheap so any screw ups just cost money and time

also as being said make jigs for F- holes ect - i spent 6 hours one day making a jig for F - Holes and now when i want to cut a F-Hole it takes about 10 mins to do two and they all end up the same

i think too much speed is the main killer of a build - we all want to get our baby strung up and hear her sing - but for the sake of a few extra days weeks have a build that sounds and looks good and a build to be proud of

but most of all enjoy what your doing if you get to a point where you feel frustrated down tools and walk away and come back another day and start with a clear head - dont let it beat you

juju :)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Lillo on December 23, 2010 at 1:08am

I get the same feeling Scotty. There are alot of very creative and helpful people here. I'm sure your skills will improve with every build, it looks like your off to a good start. have fun!