Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Barry R on May 13, 2014 at 2:35pm

Hi Dave,

I have only made one box guitar, and the story here is a lot different to the USA.  I made my box and neck from hardwood strip wood  from Homebase and an old wine box that I got 2 bottles of wine in as a gift about 30 years ago (it was in the loft).  It all depends on what you want to create and the timescale for the build.  I have got to tell you that in my experiance once you start building, the addiction starts.

I wanted a resonator, so the first point of call was pet shops for bowls, and eventually I found exactly what I wanted in a local general hardware shop - it is a bit like "Open all hours" but it had what I thought I could use - a cat bowl and a hamster bowl, but I had no idea until I had seen them together.  My build was generally way over engineered as far as construction and the assembly, but at least that gave me the time to look around for the hardware.  I have got to say that shopping from China on eBay is they way for me for guitar hardware.  It takes a couple of weeks to get here, but I have had my eyes opened how nice the parts are.

Now that I am an addict I have bought my next project necks off eBay UK from bodger1234 who lists all kinds of combinations of necks and fretboards.  Although he lists plenty of stuff, you can message him to see if he can give you exactly what you want.  I have absolutely no affiliation with him, but I am totally impressed with the effort he has put into pulling together an order for me.

The mantra that kept me going during my first build was - "there are no rules".  I shopped around for what I could work on, or just use.  What I found was that if you look for standard CBG parts in the UK you will pay a premium - so in my limited experience  I would say - understand the basics of building from the manual then; decide if you want to try to make your own statement, go and buy a kit then assemble it.

Or you could just buy somebody's  finished build for a lot less than the money and time you could put into a build.

Now that I have got through the making my monster I have to learn how to play it ;-), and because of the experience of thinking about the build and its construction, for me I am looking forward to it help me to learn how to play and make the best of it.

So, where to get the parts in the UK, well thats up to you.  The thing is to decide is what you want to make, and then what you to do with it.

IMHO

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on May 13, 2014 at 6:52pm

Hi, I'm trying to build up my stock or parts for sale on my online shop. Basically, it's the same stuff that goes into my guitars, so there's no rock bottom cheapo stuff on there, it's exactly the same quality parts that I put into my guitars. I'm also trying to steer away from far eastern "sweatshop" parts and tropical timbers, so there's European machineheads and fretwire, USA strings, European & North American timber etc.

If there are particular parts you are after, give me a shout, I may have it or be be able to get it...I'm currently looking at adding to my lines, so it's handy to know if there's a demand for certain items. 

http://chickenbonejohn.myshopify.com/

Permalink Reply by Clarky on May 14, 2014 at 2:52am

I reckon there is a small niche market here for the right person to take on.  Dunno if you've thought about some sort of partnership with CB Gitty yourself or just going it alone, but I would definitely be interested in buying quality parts.  My experience of Chinese parts hasn't been good, I prefer now to spend a decent amount on particular parts like machine heads.  There are a few good UK sellers on eBay but you pay over the odds in a lot of cases due to the seller needing to cover the extortionate eBay fees.  I've sold a fair bit on eBay and it doesn't seem worth it unless you are selling large amounts.  All my parts are now UK but they come from all over the place.

Anyway I'm blabbering, I reckon it's worth paying that little bit extra for decent parts, when you can ultimately save on things like the box and wood.  

Permalink Reply by john mackay on May 13, 2014 at 9:56pm

can't find this guy bodger1234 can you post up his ebay add?

Permalink Reply by Graham Alibone on May 13, 2014 at 9:59pm

Morning Dave,  when I got the 'bug' I did the normal reseach, i.e. the various sites on Cigar Box Nation, then bought one off e-bay for about £30 so that I had a completed CBG in my hands to study. I get my necks from local joiner's shops, they have various hard woods in their 'scrap racks' and will cut them to the size's I want, these have cost me no more than £5 usually less. I have taken a CBG back to show them, once I got an order. For the hardware I have bought Chinese but not the cheapest and never been disappointed. Though always check any e-bay sellers feed back. Another way for parts is an old electric guitar.  Have fun, remember, there are loads on the 'Nation' willing to help. Measure 3 times, cut or drill once.                                                            'fingers'