Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

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Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

This group is for discussing the basics of CBG building for newer builders - where to start, what to do, common pitfalls, tips and techniques.

Keep in mind that new builders can find other great informative articles on CBG building, as well as most of the parts you'll need, over at C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply!

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Latest Activity: Mar 20

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Comment by Gustavo sanchez on June 10, 2011 at 3:35am

SAM :

I have a nother question for you about the Frets. As you may remeber, you suggested I could also maybe use hangwire and just simnply glue it to the Neck ..

I am planning to make a small cut in the neck where the fret is going to be placed and the glue it. I am affraid to make a mistake  with the wrong position, how hard will be to correct the tone if my fret position is slightly wrong?

Comment by Wichita Sam on June 1, 2011 at 6:16pm

PaPaS,

 

if you are playing lights, you can go to heavy strings and get the open D that you like...  The first thing always to do when you get buzzing is to be aware of string tension.  There are a lot of issues that can get worse quickly with sloppy strings...

 

Glad I could help....

 

the best,

 

Wichita Sam

Comment by PapaSimone on June 1, 2011 at 3:43pm
Thanks Witchita! I tightened it up from open d to open f and it sounds much better. If I wanted to play in d would I need to get different gauge strings? Thanks for saving the day!
Comment by Wichita Sam on June 1, 2011 at 3:17pm

oh, the V shape question refered to the slots in the nut... v shaped slots can sometimes pinch strings and if the tension is reduced you might get buzzing behind the nut... 1/2 round or flat bottom slots tend to buzz less, but if there isn't enough string tension or enough break over nut or bridge, you can get buzzing that way...

Comment by Wichita Sam on June 1, 2011 at 3:14pm

PaPaS,

 

the next thing to do is to tighten up the strings (maybe up 3 or 4 half steps) and see if the buzz goes away.  also are you getting buzzing on all the strings (ahh, how many strings are there?)  And, if the bridge isn't slotted, is it some sort of round bar and is it "floating" on the top of the box or a bridge plate or is it glue down in a slot of some sort....

 

more questions, no answers yet....

 

Comment by PapaSimone on June 1, 2011 at 2:48pm
Dude! Thank you so much! Fretless but it buzzes even if you don't press down on the strings. I will measure my nut but I got to believe it is more than 3 mm thick. I don't know what v shaped pinching strings are but I bought them from cb Gitty. I also don't know what under strings are. Sorry:(
Comment by Wichita Sam on June 1, 2011 at 2:38pm

OK... fretted or fretless?  Also the nut... is it more than 2-3 mm thick, flat understrings, V shaped pinching strings?  Ahhh, more questions before answers?

 

Comment by PapaSimone on June 1, 2011 at 2:05pm
Alright! Wichita Sam to te rescue! I've got some string buzzing. Kind of sounds like a guitar with some crunch. The sound is actually kind of cool but I would like to ge t to the bottom of the buzz.
Any help would be appreciated!
PaPaS
Comment by Wichita Sam on June 1, 2011 at 1:49pm

PaPaS,

 

What kind of buzz?  String?  Electronic?  Some hints pls.

 

the best,

 

Wichita Sam

Comment by PapaSimone on June 1, 2011 at 1:40pm
Hi all! Thank you all so much for the words of encouragement in my hour of need! Unfortunately I have a new need now( ain't that always true.) My klangbox pickup is working great but I am getting a buzz from the guitar. I have a floating bridge with no grooves in it for the strings. My n.ut does have grooves however. Any suggestions? Thanks so much to all!
 

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