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

Slide top boxes for electric CBGs?

I've got this great little slide top box that I want to use to make an electric guitar. The obvious problem is that if I mount pots and pickups, I can't slide the top back on.

My plan is to just shave off the lip at one end of the top and then just slip the other lip in and lay the top down into the box. This way I lay it down in position and there's no sliding needed. A couple of supports inside the box will hold it up where the lip was shaved off.

Are there other ways to address this? What have y'all done in this situation?

Thanks,

Scotty

0 members like this

Attachments:

WitchDoktor.jpg, 126 KB

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kirk on May 4, 2018 at 5:24am

You could remove, then re-glue the "bottom" of the box. Or, cut a large rectangular hole on the side, to clear for "the slide" of the lid, then glue/screw on a decorative cover plate out of wood, or metal. I like your idea, though. Once side in the lip, the other side with 2 little screws, and you're good to go!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ducati Scotty on May 4, 2018 at 5:32am

Yeah. I figured I'd glue two block to the underside of the lid so I can run the screws in from the bottom and leave the top unmolested.

Though I probably could just sneak things in through the pickup hole. A little creative fishing around in there and I might be able to get the the volume pot and output jack into place. Hmmm... Though it better be right the first time. I certainly wouldn't want to chase a loose connection!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ducati Scotty on May 4, 2018 at 12:10pm

Side mount volume and a neck mounted pickup are both good ideas! Solves a lot of problems. It’s a short box so no problems on pickup placemen there. I was already considering a through neck, makes for a very uncluttered bridge.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on May 5, 2018 at 3:17am

That is exactly what I have done... I leave an inch of lip left... go for it!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Grandpa on May 5, 2018 at 12:21pm

I mounted a Gitty "Teisco Del Rey" surface mount pickup inside a cigar box box. Had enough juice to pick up vibrations through the lid. I cut a thin notch in the through-neck to position the p'up @ 1/4" below the underside of the box lid. Glued two small wings to the neck to mount the p'up. Worked for me. I wired the pickup to a jack, no controls onboard, preserved a beautiful box top. You could, of course, wire the pickup to onboard vol/tone pots. Nice box you have, look forward to the finished build.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ducati Scotty on May 7, 2018 at 9:51am

I just remembered when I was in the shop last night, I ordered some skull and crossbones knobs for this build, so I may still put the volume control on the lid just for looks.