Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nick on September 12, 2009 at 11:02am

i prefer a traditional blues CBG because it has more attitude and character.
it may not look as impressive, but it looks like blues to me.

Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on September 12, 2009 at 11:19am

There is a line somewhere where it changes from a cbg to a novelty guitar.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on September 12, 2009 at 12:04pm

I prefer a good 3 or 4 stringer, fretless... I do like a nice mini-humbucker as a pup. But, it needs to end up sounded a little "raw'. I just completed a vintage acoustic box. A little twangy, a little buzzy, and just perfect for delta blues... used it today a a library workshop and it was a hit.... the best, Wichita Sam

Permalink Reply by StarGeezers on September 14, 2009 at 1:28am

There's just something very beautiful about a plain CBG...like WS's picture
I've been painting cotton fields in the Mississippi delta country lately , and seen many suitable front porches(shacks) to sit and wail away on a funky CBG... Now that's MOJO... hahahaha

Permalink Reply by Brian Lemin on September 14, 2009 at 2:13am

In my articles (see"Wot no articles") I have spent a good bit of time looking at many aspects of improving the acoustical output of of a CBG. I do not regret the time and effort I have put into this as I believe that we should produce the kind of CBG that we, as individuals want, and i hope that my thoughts will help those looking for "better" sound from their CBs.
I am always pleased to see the magnificent instruments that some people are producing, but for me I have consistently used the description of "nice and twangy" for the sound that I really want.
After much thought it seems to me that the CBG lends itself naturally to the acoustic output of the Uke configuration, and to the resonator configuration.

I could add to this my preference for 3 strings (Clearer sound, less harmonics for a small box to cope with) and the amplified Diddly bo.

Mind you, once you add amplification then anything goes as the output it mostly dependent on your pickup and mixer.

Permalink Reply by StarGeezers on September 14, 2009 at 2:53am

Totally agree mate !!!.... it is in our nature to make things " better"....
I believe the main attraction of the CBG is the Simplicity, affordability, and "that certain TONE" which you can only get from a CBG... Adding any kind of pickup does color that tone ... for the good or bad, depending how you're playing it... at the gig , it does need something to make it louder, on the front porch , it's just fine acoustic and doesn't rile the neighbors... well not as much as my singing anyway ... hahahaha
Uke and resonators were the next experiments on the build list ... Must be that Universal Consciousness thing eh ?? hahahaha

Permalink Reply by Jataomm on September 17, 2009 at 7:36am

I've made two, and a diddley bow. I have a few more planned: just waiting for a few moments of time. For me, they will remain basic: I love the rawness you get. (Even to the point that when I pick up my 'proper' guitar' it sounds too smooth and soul-less now :-( )

Having said that, there's no harm in looking for a good sound: 'good' being what you like.

The two I made both have piezo transducers stuck in them. The first sounds great, the second is terrible. It picks up the sound of every scratch and slide. Same method of mounting, different box. Oddly, I prefer this second one when played accoustic.

Permalink Reply by Tres Seaver on September 17, 2009 at 4:16pm

Jataomm said:

The two I made both have piezo transducers stuck in them. The first sounds great, the second is terrible. It picks up the sound of every scratch and slide. Same method of mounting, different box. Oddly, I prefer this second one when played accoustic.

I wonder if that means that your second is just more "acoustically live" (maybe you glued it shut, or it had a more resonant top, or something). How does the second sound if you run it through some distortion (either a pedal, or
in software afterwards?)

Permalink Reply by Jataomm on September 18, 2009 at 11:59am

The top is screwed to the neck and I had to screw it shut to stop a nasty rattle.
It's a Punch box, and the top is quite thick ply: I'd guess about 4mm.
I'm going to try making a taller bridge tomorrow and see what effect that has.

Tres Seaver said:

Jataomm said:

The two I made both have piezo transducers stuck in them. The first sounds great, the second is terrible. It picks up the sound of every scratch and slide. Same method of mounting, different box. Oddly, I prefer this second one when played accoustic.

I wonder if that means that your second is just more "acoustically live" (maybe you glued it shut, or it had a more resonant top, or something). How does the second sound if you run it through some distortion (either a pedal, or
in software afterwards?)

Permalink Reply by StarGeezers on September 19, 2009 at 3:11am

I wonder if the mounting method isn't the cause of all those touch tones/noise ??? Mounting the piezo in a "softer" material seems to help with that... blocks of wood , plastic foams , vinyl caulk ... lots of room for experimentation there...

Permalink Reply by Jataomm on September 20, 2009 at 10:26am

Yes, that's a possibility. I mounted the piezo on a bed of silicone. Same on both boxes but I think this one would have benefitted from more.

StarGeezers said:

I wonder if the mounting method isn't the cause of all those touch tones/noise ??? Mounting the piezo in a "softer" material seems to help with that... blocks of wood , plastic foams , vinyl caulk ... lots of room for experimentation there...