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tuning cigar box guitar

Hi,

i bought a cigar box guitar and iv read it can be fitted with top 4 strings from a standard guitar. iv done this but am finding it impossible to tune! iv used my tuner and tuned to E, A, D, G and it sounds terrible as soon as i play a chord. i also tried tuning top string to E and then tuned string to string by ear as i would on my guitar, still sounds awful!

any one have any ideas?

thanks

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Permalink Reply by craig bodsworth on November 22, 2012 at 12:25pm

Parksjam is his ebay name. he sells cbg regulary apparently and has recieved positive feedback for them hence why i bought it. he told me my guitar was one of hhis favourites, the fretboard is so bad that i can see the random placement of frets with the naked eye! the first few frets seem ok and basic chords sound almost in tune but i like my power chords...

i will be keeping an eye on him on ebay. hope he shapes up.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Bliss on November 22, 2012 at 4:55pm

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience, but let this be a reminder to all-research before purchase and buy from reputable sources!

Just a tip, a premade fingerboard is only an option if your scale length matches something "standard" and 23 1/4" is not standard. Fret spacing must be calculated to match your specific needs.

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Permalink Reply by David L. on November 23, 2012 at 12:00am

I just noticed Chickenbone John has a "Build your own CBG workshop" coming up in Birmingham on Dec 2nd
http://www.chickenbonejohn.com/page12. (scroll down)
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/191295
So for £25 you get all the materials with his building tuition (I think they usually make a 3 string fretless)
plus a starter lesson on playing your new CBG.
It would be a great opportunity to see and play some quality CBGs and also to come away with a playable one you have built yourself.

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Permalink Reply by Bluesboy Jag on November 26, 2012 at 8:28am

I made a cbg tutorial dvd a few years ago, its free with my cbg purchase: http://www.jagshouse.com/cbg/cbgvideo.html

Jag

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Permalink Reply by craig bodsworth on November 30, 2012 at 12:05am

http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Smokin-Stogie-Electric-Cigar-Box-Guitar...

he sold another one but this was before i complained about mine. this one appears to have the bridge too far up same as mine, its hard to tell if the frets are correct. he hasnt listed anymore yet and ebay havnt got back to me about changing my feedback despite saying they would respond in 72 hours!