Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on July 4, 2013 at 5:21am

Don't know what is causing your problem. I have had good acoustic sound from all but one of mine and it was a small box with a thick lid. Looking at the pictures, my first guess is that the bridge is to close to the edge of the box. I try and get the bridge location up approximately 1/3 of the length of the lid. Perhaps others will be able to offer more insight.

Welcome to the Nation. Lots of good folks and information here to feed the addiction. :)>

Permalink Reply by Tony Brown on July 4, 2013 at 5:53am

I suggest you start by making a simple basic 3 string fretless and experiment with sound holes and bridge position, remembering Nut to Bridge about 25.5 Inches. 

Never had a problem with any of mine with  enough sound to fill a room. Perhaps a bit quiet using an Acoustic CBG             in the O2

Permalink Reply by Jeff McFadden on July 4, 2013 at 8:26am

Make you're picking right up between the sound holes. It makes a huge difference as compared to picking farther down on the box.

Permalink Reply by Boney on July 4, 2013 at 8:46am

Wow, what a difference. Can't believe it. Thanks.

Using a pick (not my normal style) made a massive difference too. Can't believe I hadn't tried these things.

Permalink Reply by wormil on July 4, 2013 at 5:25pm

Yep, true for ukuleles too... pick right where the neck meets the box.

Permalink Reply by Boney on July 4, 2013 at 8:47am

Thanks to all for the advice ;-)

Permalink Reply by Jeff McFadden on July 4, 2013 at 2:39pm

That's what we're all doing here:  helping each other.  I made my first one and was disappointed at how hard it was to hear and just stumbled into picking up between the sound holes, and said, "Yes!  That's where all the sound was hiding!"

I use finger picks now, following Keni Lee Burgess's lead.  Kind of awkward for me, but I think I'll stay with them.  They're feeling better already.

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on July 4, 2013 at 5:58pm

If your expectations are for a similar acoustic volume to a uke, then I reckon that's fair. for home strumming and picking acoustic should be OK, although you'd get swamped if you played along with someone with a regular acoustic guitar.

Here's an example of me doing a video lesson, just playing acoustically to the webcam - this is pretty typical of the volume I'd expect from a decent cigarbox guitar. It's difficult to judge, but you can compare it against my usual speaking voice.

However, my observations are that there are a lot of people "jumping on the bandwagon" selling cigar box guitars both as makers and retailers, and there's a lot of sub-standard stuff around...I reckon you got unlucky. People think they are going to make money from this scene..but here's my take on things..and it's down to money.  If you buy something from a shop at say £90, the shop will be putting 100% markup AND VAT at 20% on it..that means they will be paying £40 max. for it. You really have to ask what do you expect at that sort of base price..using the classic business model of 1/3 materials, 1/3 labour, 1/3 profit..you've probably got 15 quidsworth worth of experience right there with your guitar. I apologise if the maker of he guitar is reading this and takes exception, but I am a firm believer of asking a fair price in the marketplace, and not undervaluing your skills.

Music shops are generally totally ignorant about these instruments - they don't know the scene and don't research what's out there. I've been asked several times to seeo to music shops, but normally I won't sell to them because I can't afford to give a wholesale discount, and  100% mark-up plus tax would push the price up ridiculously, and I cant see any reason why a retailer should make all twice as much profit as I do for having it sat in their window.

Sorry to go on about this, and this isn't meant to be a "puff" for my guitars, but just my observations based on several years experience in this line of work. 

Because of the body size, cigar box guitars are always going to be modestly voiced acoustically, but with skill, experience and a bit of luck, they can be made to put out a reasonable acoustic sound.

Permalink Reply by stringybark on July 4, 2013 at 10:56pm

Thank you Mr ChickenboneJohn, that was great, I have just finish my first slide cbg, (and learnt from my mistakes), I made it electric and am sourcing something to plug it into to try it out....this is cbg is adictive...I figure at my age I am to old for skydiving..cant afford drugs (LOL) , but I acan still pester those close by with this. One BIG mistaKe I made, I built my own cigar BOX, as they are hard and expensive to come by, I built most the box out of 3ply but put an coaster on the top(mostly I wanted an 'australiana" themeand it had a bush picture of it) but it EATS the sound up because it is cork backed..lucky that it is electric. I had to start somewhere and they say you learn by making mistakes. (I figure I must be up there in knowing a couple of things because I make LOTS of mistakes LOL) cheers and thanks for posting..Am learning lots form this site...a priveledge to be part of it.thanks again..PS will be changing my profile picture to show the cbg.

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on July 4, 2013 at 11:12pm

Can't go wrong with a Roland MicroCube as a first amp. Small, battery and mains powered..not crazy cheap, but very durable..dropped mine countless times out of the car onto concrete, dragged offstage, slipped off my shoulder running across the road when carrying it on a strap (mind you, neither I nor the amp got hit by traffic) and its still going strong. Nice range of sounds, simple useable effects (reverb , echo, tremolo, phase, flange, chorus)..and you can "take a line out" and plug it into a PA or bigger amp and still get your favorite sound and effects. The other Roland Cube amps aren't bad either if you want more power.

Permalink Reply by Jeff McFadden on July 5, 2013 at 12:59am

@Stringybark, your profile doesn't give a hint where you live, but Kansas City, the closest big city to me, has a dozen or so cigar stores.  I just did a Google Maps search on the term Cigar Store and then called them all to see who had cigar boxes for sale.  Most didn't but a couple did.  I go by there every so often and buy up a couple trash bags full, use the smaller ones for parts boxes, middle sized ones for amps and the bigger ones for guitars.

Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on July 5, 2013 at 1:04am

stringybark suggests australia

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