Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on July 19, 2018 at 9:26am

Hi, first thing I thought of was a stand up acoustic bass.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on July 19, 2018 at 12:45pm

Hi, good resources there Dennis. A dulcimer looks like the way to go. I've built many a dulcimer over the years and my second thought was as I looked at the thickness of that lid, its a bit thick for a lightly strung instrument to get the best tone and volume out of. If you could thin it (from the inside so as not to lose that old patina) it would be great.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by Diglydog on July 19, 2018 at 8:19pm

Thanks for the replies, Taffy and Dennis.

Yes, the lid is pretty thick but I'm often surprised by the acoustic qualities of boxes that 'should' have a poor response.  I'll read throught the dulcimer research.  However, I do have an old tail piece of a cello (I think), so an upright bass may also be possible.

At the moment, it's just clutter in the garage.  It might as well be playable clutter in the house :-)

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Permalink Reply by Diglydog on July 20, 2018 at 4:50am

A Tennessee Music Box is looking like a good candidate as my cigar box is the correct traditional dimensions.  I may scallop the fingerboard to bridge the logo on the box.  I also have an Elmar Flatpup that may be added.

I then need to decide whether to have one melody string or a pair, as on a dulcimer.  Then I need to find some suitable staples for frets.  Today's search drew a blank.

Thanks again for your help.

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Permalink Reply by Diglydog on July 20, 2018 at 7:52am

Thanks for your advice, Dennis.

I've found a semi-vintage biscuit tin lurking in a drawer that can be used for the tinwork.  Tomorrow, I'll try to find some shelf support loops to use as tuning machines.  I'll have a look at rivet tails for staples, or might do full dulcimer fretting for versatility.  However, I think that staples would look more authentic.  I've found some nice oak for the fingerboard.

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Permalink Reply by Derek Rose on July 21, 2018 at 2:29am

My brother in law gave me a huge display box for cigars. Too big for a guitar and the lid was too thick for good sound. So I flipped it over and used the thinner bottom for the top, like we sometimes do for cbg's. Like Dennis and Taffy said, I would agree with going with a dulcimer. Here is one I made with the large display box:

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Permalink Reply by Derek Rose on July 21, 2018 at 3:53pm

Thank you, Dennis. Yes, it has one piezo and is pretty loud if needed plugged in.

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Permalink Reply by Diglydog on July 22, 2018 at 8:04am

Nice build, Derek - really clean lines and nicely balanced sound holes.  I'm still wondering about whether to go Tennessee Music Box or dulcimer, or some sort of hybrid.  The problem centres on whether to use vine eyes or modern tuning machines for tensioning the strings.  Maybe I'm over-thinking it.  Probably too much sun.........

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Permalink Reply by Diglydog on July 22, 2018 at 9:21am

Thanks, Dennis. The reason that I’d tend towards eyes is that it’s an old box and could look authentic. Then again, I have some Sinton’s jumbo bronze fret wire, which would also look good. I’m tempted by semi-hidden tuners, down the end of the box and with traditional tin work.

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