Michael Fred Johnson

Male

Newcastle upon Tyne

United Kingdom

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How did you learn about Cigar Box Nation?
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  • Rand Moore

    Okay, give it a try. If you can't find one locally, I can get them here. The Eu Long cookies cost 48 yuan, or about $8.00 US. Not sure what that is in British pounds. But, I have a couple extra and would be willing to send you one. However, I'm not sure what the postage to the U.K. would be. It won't be as much if I just send the lid and keep the rest.

    -Rand.

    Apr 9, 2014

  • Rand Moore

    Hi Michael.

    While I like the idea of the trade, the reality is that postage will be the major expense and I can probably find cat or dog bowl easier here in China than you can find Eu Long cookie tin lids in England. I have a couple "in stock", so other than postage, it's no problem to send you one. In return, you can post a photo or two on my CBN discussion group showing how your instrument turned out and what your impressions are.

    -Rand.

    Apr 10, 2014

  • David Piasta

    Amazing craftsman-ship in those guitars you have made!

    Apr 12, 2014

  • Bad Finger (Eric)

    I have a cheat sheet, but practically I have only explores a very few combinations. It is not expected to ever use all the possible tones, but instead to find five or six that really work for the set up.

    Apr 23, 2014

  • Richey Kay

    Well Mike's from Bolton, so he can come and go as he pleases. Being from East Anglia originally myself, I have trouble crossing the border :)

    Apr 23, 2014

  • sasquatch

    Michael, do you make your own boxes, if so what wood do you use. I used ply for my first build but I have a load of mahogany so will try that on my next.

    Apr 29, 2014

  • sasquatch

    They are both great. I'll have a look through your photos.

    May 1, 2014

  • sasquatch

    Oh like easy fill or something similar?! Does it work ok. I presume so otherwise you wouldn't use it.

    May 1, 2014

  • Richey Kay

    Hi Michael, you can get brass fret wire from a number of sellers on eBay, probably lots of other places too.

    Jun 20, 2014

  • Lloyd Atterson

    Thanks for the information .I will definitely try this .

    Aug 24, 2014

  • Uncle John

    LOL, Mr Svelte.  LOL at you ant the lute as well.

    Aug 25, 2014

  • Gordon Cable

    Hi Michael,

    I have just started making, a couple of cans so far and just finished a 3 string. Loving every minute of it!

    Regards

    Gordon.

    Aug 30, 2014

  • Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music

    Thank you !

    Jan 4, 2015

  • the anonymous pick

    yup  ya  got me  ..   ;-)

    Feb 2, 2015

  • Michael O'Connor

    So I'm obviously a Dinosaur too - went and published a status instead of responding to your comment. Wood's much easier to see what you're doing with...

    Mar 18, 2015

  • Joe O'Connor

    Thanks Michael.

    Ah I see about the piezos now. They look really neat. My ethos so far along with my brother has been; what happens in the box, stays in the box. I haven't quite mastered the skill of keeping them tidy looking inside yet, still they work well.

    Your builds are amazing by the way, you've got some real skills there.

    Ha ha, I've got a few boxes to be getting on with here for a while so don't fret too much about that.

    Mar 18, 2015

  • Michael O'Connor

    Hi Michael, re action - a lot depends on playing style; when enthusiasm kicks in (inevitably will at times) accuracy slips. Who cares? you might say - a few 'fret-knocks' add authenticity. There again, too many & it gets annoying. In the "slide-learning-phase" I vote for a slightly higher than normal action; beyond that it's like everything else in music - what works best for you as a player. PS I've always lowered the action on every acoustic I evber bought...
    Take care
    M

    Mar 19, 2015

  • Michael O'Connor

    scrap that extra 'b' in evber
    O b****r! Now I've gone and revealed the pedant in me...
    M

    Mar 19, 2015

  • the anonymous pick

    ;-)

    May 25, 2015

  • Uncle John

    Of COURSE pussy as in cat!   Yup, when I get in a building mood, I usually have more than one thing going,   Beautiful build AGAIN!

    May 25, 2015

  • Rooster Blues CBG Guitars

    Thanks Michael for the info .

    May 26, 2015

  • the anonymous pick

    lol,  was  supposed to  be  the   face on  mars  .   thus continuing  our  phaser  /  space  theme  ;-) 

    Jun 3, 2015

  • Richey Kay

    I actually finished the solid body yesterday. I'll have some pictures up later I think. The headstock design is similar, but I wouldn't call it the same. Also, if you're wanting to make solid body, get a router if you don't have one already! :-)

    Jun 4, 2015

  • Richey Kay

    I should have known... I just put some pictures up, let me know what you think mate.

    Jun 4, 2015

  • Richey Kay

    Thanks for the feedback Michael. I'm pretty happy with this. Probably the most fun build Ive ever done. Did you think I was stepping on your toes with the headstock? :-)

    Jun 5, 2015

  • Richey Kay

    Thanks again Michael. To answer your question, I am a wine and spirits expert for a living so there isn't much creativity involved in my day job. Just need a good memory! I picked up woodwork 3 years ago. A CBG was the first thing I made and I just picked up the skills along the way. The internet is a great teacher!

    Jun 6, 2015

  • Eric Denton

    Than you, I love the license plate gits. You've inspired me to put one on deck. I've got some old license plates that belonged to my granddaddy dating back to 1957.

    Nov 17, 2015

  • Eric Denton

    Nice, thanks!

    Nov 18, 2015

  • Eric Denton

    Did you fabricate the brass bar yourself or did you get it from somewhere?

    Nov 19, 2015

  • Rooster

    Thanks for accepting  Michael. I have always enjoyed seeing your builds on here. Really nice craftsmanship sir ;-)

    Nov 21, 2015

  • White Raven

    Thanks Michael, I thought that might be the case with the sound hole. Thanks for the comment on my reso. Needs a little fox right now. Developed a string buzz at the bridge. I think the tail piece straightened out a bit.

    Nov 25, 2015

  • Uncle John

    Sorry, but LOL on the black instead of stickem' and the great trauma.   Sounds like my work and mess ups! 

    I am just in from the shop working to improve 3 gits, which pretty much amounts to fixing screw-ups and oversights!   But it feels good to be improving them.

    Feb 6, 2016

  • Bristol Blue

    I was only kidding Michael - It's a wonderful geetar :-)

    Feb 9, 2016

  • Rooster Reaves

    Thanks Fred.  I've been kind of doing that, But sometimes I get a little off. I'm working with the basic tools. Some time I'll get some real one instead of the preschool stuff I have.  Thanks for the feed back.

    Feb 22, 2016

  • Dave Lynas

    You deserve lots of high marks Michael. I'll bet that baby sounds as good as she looks.

    Mar 13, 2016

  • Philip Hale

    Hi there Michael, it's good to hear from you, yes I am interested in resonators.
    I am setting up a workshop to start building cbg,s.
    I have been slowed down after having an operation on my cervical spine, which has left me having little or no feeling in my right hand. But I will not let this stop me building, it will just be a slow process.
    My phone is 07716416162 and email is
    philip.hale@mail.com.
    Best wishes
    Phil

    Mar 29, 2016

  • Philip Hale

    Please get in touch and let me know what it was you wanted to say about resonators.
    Regards Phil

    Mar 29, 2016

  • Bernie Edwards

    Hi Michael

    Yes it was  from the Early Music Shop in Bradford.

    At that time I was living away from home and had no skills at wood crafting so it ended up slightly botched. I still have that problem today!!!

    Sealing with a soldering iron sounds a great idea so I will dig it out and hava go.

    Jul 6, 2016

  • A.D.EKER

    Funny seeing you do the Minion on the CBG,My jongest done it for a painting contest 2 years ago ,funny how thing go! realy fun build!

    May 20, 2017

  • Chuck Groves

    Thanks for the advice Michael! I have a two inch hole saw I was going to use but it would leave an 1/8 of an inch gap between the edge of the sound hole cover and edge of the hole on the box. Is hot glue sufficient for filling in the gap and providing a firm bond or should I use superglue as well?

    Sep 29, 2017

  • Ok I am posting a pic on my page of the saw that I have. I believe it is a gents saw. I would post a pic here but I am on an iPad and that is no go.

    Nov 9, 2017

  • Don Craig

    Michael, I didn't understand the reference to Geordie Blues Box and the river Tyne, now I do.  I google everything that's new to me.

    Mar 25, 2018

  • Don Craig

    Thanks Michael, that's a great picture, a very interesting place.

    Mar 27, 2018

  • Geordie Hillbilly

    Something like that mate!  Work and women....not necessarily in that order ;)

    Nov 22, 2018

  • gordon barnes

    Ran into sketch of neck installation, found intrigueing.  Neck hollowed out to and bottom to fascilitate vibe.  It looked like the neck was glued (front and rear) the same way, that is, where it contacts the bottom anr the front and end of the box, but not the TOP. Is that to allow maximum vibration of the top.  Thanks, Gordon

    Dec 31, 2018

  • gordon barnes

    Thanks for the pic.  while looking at the workmanship, I couldn't help but wonder, "is this guy an ex model ship builder too?"  Is the copper tp an Idea for aesthetics or like to make the whole top a giant resonator?  National steel cbg.  Thanks again Mr Johnson, G.

    Jan 1, 2019

  • gordon barnes

    Yes, the image came through, all right!..That's fantastic.  The peek of the neck looked interesting.  Is the fretboard inlaid?  How did the sound strike you when you first strung it up and let-er-rip? thanks     Gordon

    Jan 2, 2019

  • Bob "Ambrose" Negus

    Thank you for accepting my offer of friendship. No98 is great!

    Feb 11, 2019

  • Bob "Ambrose" Negus

    You're welcome Michael, Great guitar and a great title.

    Mar 22, 2019

  • Dave Lynas

    You deserve many Wows Michael. Your builds are fabulous.

    Nov 8, 2019