"An experienced guitarist who tried the flight bag guitar liked the way it sat on his lap and presented the neck at the right angle for playing. The sound is surprising considering it is shuch a short scale length to fit the bag.Probably because the…"
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Michael Fred Johnson
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- Newcastle upon Tyne
- United Kingdom
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Michael Fred Johnson's Groups
Michael Fred Johnson's Discussions
Use those skinny boxes - Build a doubledecker
Started this discussion. Last reply by Michael Fred Johnson May 17, 2016. 7 Replies 1 Like
If you have duplicate boxes that are too skinny for a build have a go at a doubledecker.Remove the top from one and the base from the other,Line with thin ply to glue them together - result a nice…Continue
Croatian Lijerica,anyone for a cigar box version?
Started this discussion. Last reply by Dan Sleep Dec 31, 2013. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Friends just returned from Croatia gave me this photo of a Lijerica played by Mate Bulic. Anyone know anything about the stringing/tuning/scale length?Anybody made a cigar box version?…Continue
new york-visit
Started this discussion. Last reply by Michael Fred Johnson Sep 8, 2012. 7 Replies 0 Likes
Arrived in NY on wednesday..staying in Manhattan any suggestions for good live blues venuesAlso thought I might save the postage on Kenny lee Burgess DVD'sContinue
Michael Fred Johnson's Page
Latest Activity
"Hi T-Gripped
If you dont want to make a drum just replace it with a thick ply disc.
For mounting the pickup you could just add a recessed block to the neck like on Yorrick here. "
"Two 4mm thumb screws + nuts, two domed nuts plus abit of folded stainless sheet. Works well on dog bowl guitars"
"This one was built to fit in carry on flight case"
P1020087
"Thanks Fantacone and Brian.
AGP the angle was purely to get the longest length in a carry on case, though a friend did like the way it sat on his lap to play."
"Thanks for the comments Uncle John, Merry Christmas and all the best for 2023"
P1020087
"It was me BrianQ. built one of those corner to corner Gits some time back, it was the most awkward thing in the world to sit in my lap and play, and has since been deconstructed! ;-D "
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Michael Fred Johnson's Photos
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Simple adjustable bridge
Posted on January 16, 2021 at 2:00am 4 Comments 3 Likes
Made this bridge for the DeVito half of the Twins, I didn't think my normal design would look right.
Components: 2 knurled 4mm screws, 2 knurled 4mm nuts, 2 domed 4mm nuts, 1 piece of 10 x 50 stainless sheet drilled both ends and folded on the centre line.…
Spencer Davis R.I.P
Posted on October 21, 2020 at 12:22am 3 Comments 1 Like
Sad to hear of the death of Spencer Davis, great memories of seeing his band performing at Newcastle's Club A'gogo in the sixties (that's where I met the better half). Great music," Gimme some lovin' ", "I'm a man", "Keep on running "
Still got my 1965 'gogo membership car with the autographs of Spencer and Steve Winwood…
Hub Cap Build
Posted on April 2, 2018 at 5:00am 3 Comments 4 Likes
Here's a drawing and photo's of the construction of a guitar using a Wolseley hub cap.
The neck is made from three pieces of 1 1/2" x 1" mahogany,the body from 1/8" birch ply with a hardwood tail block and lime wood linings.
The guitar is finished off with a walnut fingerboard and laminated walnut/ply bridge,stainless/cycle brake cable tail piece anchored on the strap button.…
ContinueThe barter system is alive and well
Posted on March 24, 2018 at 5:53am 6 Comments 2 Likes
A while ago my sister bought me four guitar lessons with Chris Meredith a talented musician and teacher.When the paid lessons finished Chris and I came to an agreement,he would carry on giving me the lessons and in exchange I would show him how to make a guitar.The photographs here show the finished result,his first ever build.
Four string tenor with uke reso cone,3.6mm ply box,"mahogany" neck with walnut fingerboard,headstock faced with walnut and obeche.…
ContinueComment Wall (137 comments)
- At 1:44am on May 19, 2021,
Uncle John said…
Maybe on Route 66. My current bucket list is a trip down to Clarksdale, Mississippi. Have a good day, Michael.
- At 12:44pm on June 14, 2020,
RON NORTHCUTT said…
I was using stainless and will have to check how thick it was. I think it was thicker than the .06 you used. I made so many changes and modifications to it I named it Frankentar. I finally did find a good use for it, firewood.
- At 4:21am on May 23, 2020,
Yup. Old and crusty. I see on FB that Paul Smith has used crackle paint for some great looking relic styles. I may look into that.
- At 2:30am on November 8, 2019,
Dave Lynas said…
You deserve many Wows Michael. Your builds are fabulous.
- At 10:15pm on March 22, 2019,
Bob "Ambrose" Negus said…
You're welcome Michael, Great guitar and a great title.
- At 7:11am on February 11, 2019,
Thank you for accepting my offer of friendship. No98 is great!
- At 7:16am on January 2, 2019,
gordon barnes said…
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
- At 3:58am on January 1, 2019,
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.
- At 2:06pm on December 31, 2018,
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
- At 9:09am on November 22, 2018,
Geordie Hillbilly said…
Something like that mate! Work and women....not necessarily in that order ;)
The Essential Pages
Recommended Links & Resources
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- Cigar Box Music - How-to-Build CBGs DVDs, How to Play CBG and more!
- 3-String-Guitar.com - John "Red Dog" McNair's unique take on cigar box guitars and their history - lots of historic photos!
- The Cigar Box Guitar Manifesto - the mission statement and rallying cry for the Cigar Box Guitar Revolution.
Forum
Look what I picked up
Started by John B Treutlein in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by John B Treutlein on Friday. 11 Replies 3 Likes
Evans solid body guitar.
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans on Thursday. 2 Replies 1 Like
Guitar string frets?
Started by Jeff Shewmake in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Jeff Shewmake May 26. 5 Replies 1 Like
Snake Oil Humbucker Question
Started by Jerry Draper in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans May 24. 6 Replies 0 Likes
best structured lessons yet (and who the heck is fred?)!
Started by erik in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Loren Gibel May 18. 5 Replies 4 Likes
Vote for the Delta Blues Outlaws in the Blues Blast Music Awards ~
Started by billy jones bluez in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts May 16. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Need Help on building a Hubcap Guitar
Started by T-Gripped in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by BrianQ. May 7. 24 Replies 0 Likes
Guitar and amp settings
Started by Michael Myers in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Wolfeather May 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
What's on your workbench?
Started by Paul Craig in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Paul Craig Apr 29. 2235 Replies 18 Likes
Flat bucker under box top. Any Success?
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by David Kennedy Apr 21. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Piezo disc installation
Started by Engblom in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Apr 21. 10 Replies 0 Likes
OT: Modifying by sanding the bracing
Started by Engblom in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Engblom Apr 17. 14 Replies 0 Likes
Build this Wooden Kick Drum Pedal
Started by Rose Ericson in Feature Articles. Last reply by Rose Ericson Apr 15. 44 Replies 11 Likes
Converting 3 string to 4 string
Started by Robert Bryan in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Oscar Stern Apr 15. 16 Replies 1 Like
Vintage Hubcap guitar build all stages...
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Tom T Apr 8. 7 Replies 3 Likes
Guitar Pick-ups
Started by Benny - W5TYZ in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Benny - W5TYZ Apr 7. 7 Replies 0 Likes
Free Cigar Box Tablature Library
Started by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 31. 18 Replies 7 Likes
Handy adhesive
Started by John B Treutlein in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by John B Treutlein Mar 31. 12 Replies 1 Like
3-String Bass Project - Dual pickups with switch.
Started by Tim Dvorak in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Tim Dvorak Mar 23. 8 Replies 1 Like
First licence plate build
Started by Michael Myers in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 21. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Blog Posts
Will still be a awhile before us CBG builders are taken over by artificial intelligence.
Posted by Steve Holladay on June 1, 2023 at 9:45am 1 Comment 0 Likes
Vote for the Delta Blues Outlaws in the Blues Blast Music Awards ~
Posted by billy jones bluez on May 16, 2023 at 8:26am 0 Comments 0 Likes
Amazing Guitar Bridge for CBG!
Posted by 3 String Blues on April 22, 2023 at 1:08pm 2 Comments 1 Like
The Fred BassJo, aka the Sore Thumb banjo
Posted by Fergus Lester on March 7, 2023 at 12:11am 1 Comment 0 Likes
WARNING ABOUT NON_APPROPRIATE ACTIONS OFMr James Pollard
Posted by Slow Mick on March 4, 2023 at 10:00pm 5 Comments 0 Likes
Latest Activity
Old enough to Know Better ! BCB C. Gray - A D Eker 2023
"Thanks for your like Order 99 ! much appreciated!"
Sunnyville (an original song played on parlor guitar)
"Sound Sparky, but the lyrical time line is a bit mixed up from the morning into the Late Night Bar,…"
Wood spirit carving for my arbor entrance
"The gardiance of the Black Locush House,here you go!
All done ! Nice Work Mr R.S.Bretz !"
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