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Michael shrader's Groups

Low Budget Land

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218 Comments 13 Likes
Building a Cigar Box Gui…

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CBG Tabs

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Michael shrader's Discussions

Ghost pickup

Started this discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Jul 29. 5 Replies 0 Likes

I’m working on a build where I want to leave the box lid uncluttered. I’m thinking about ghosting the pickup under the lid. I’ve never done that and I’m concerned that the lid may be too thick. Is…Continue

Glued on fretboard question

Started this discussion. Last reply by Michael shrader May 12, 2019. 4 Replies 0 Likes

I’m planning on making my first glue on fretboard. My question is on how to add the nut. One video I saw showed the builder notching the fretboard then using a bolt set in the notch. I’m using the…Continue

First time fretter - fret ends

Started this discussion. Last reply by JL Apr 2, 2019. 10 Replies 0 Likes

Working on my second build and first time fretting. Had trouble getting the fret slot depth consistent. Frets went in ok but now I’m having trouble getting the ends to feel comfortable. I’ve been…Continue

Beginner Question- different box

Started this discussion. Last reply by Michael shrader Apr 3, 2019. 17 Replies 2 Likes

My sister in law used to make purses out of cigar boxes. She gave me a box(s) where she had glued identical boxes back to back. They are nice boxes and I was thinking about opening up part of the…Continue

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Michael shrader's Page

Latest Activity

Taffy Evans replied to Michael shrader's discussion Ghost pickup

"Hi here is another way to hide the pickup but get a good response. If the pickup has screwed poles, bring them to the surface through the top, as done in this acoustic fingerboard from an old guitar. Or put small bolts threaded through the top…"

Jul 29

BrianQ. replied to Michael shrader's discussion Ghost pickup

"Michael, I hot glued a Gittybucker under the lid of an mdf box last night, and sad to say, it’s not nearly as loud as the Gittybomb or Lucky 13 type pickup meant for ghosting? Flush with the top ain’t so bad, I think it actually looks…"

Jul 28

Carl Floyd replied to Michael shrader's discussion Ghost pickup

"If I were to use a ghost pickup under an MDF top, I would thin the back side of the top at the pickup location."

Jul 28

Taffy Evans replied to Michael shrader's discussion Ghost pickup

"Hi Michael, the distance from the bottom of the string to the top of the pickup pole, on an electric guitar, is normally set to the tone wanted by the player, but falls in a range from 1/16" to 3/16". The further the string is away from…"

Jul 27

BrianQ. replied to Michael shrader's discussion Ghost pickup

"Shane has a video, I’ve done one 3/8” -( fretted)& one 1/2” -(fretless) away from the strings with great success, but the norm is around 1/2” Best to keep the action low to alleviate any…"

Jul 26

Michael shrader posted a discussion

Ghost pickup

Jul 26

5 Comments 0 Likes

Michael shrader replied to Cigar Box Nation's discussion The Cigar Box SITAR Experiment - by Shane Speal

"Great idea. I’ve been intrigued with Sitars and even considered buying one. Not anymore! I want to build one from a cigar box! Who woulda thunk? I guess Shane would. Looking forward to using your build as a guide."

Jun 14

Michael shrader replied to Wichita Sam's discussion Builder's Tips in the group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

Feb 23

Michael shrader liked Wichita Sam's discussion Builder's Tips

Feb 23

Michael shrader liked Wichita Sam's discussion Builder's Tips

Feb 23

Joe liked Michael shrader's discussion Obvious overlooked error. Do I rebuild this neck?

Jun 5, 2020

mitch jones replied to Michael shrader's discussion Obvious overlooked error. Do I rebuild this neck? in the group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"Rule of thumb is the distance from the nut to 12th fret is the same as 12th fret to where the string touches the bridge - i.e the 12th fret is always 1/2 the scale length (give or take a touch for intonation), It looks like if you wind your 3 bridge…"

Jun 5, 2020

Uncle John replied to Michael shrader's discussion Obvious overlooked error. Do I rebuild this neck? in the group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"I do not have the skills to use more than 9 frets and an occasional slide to the 12th. Have fun with it as it us. It looks great."

Mar 27, 2020

Order99 replied to Michael shrader's discussion Obvious overlooked error. Do I rebuild this neck? in the group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

Mar 26, 2020

Order99 liked Michael shrader's discussion Obvious overlooked error. Do I rebuild this neck?

Mar 26, 2020

Michael shrader replied to Michael shrader's discussion Obvious overlooked error. Do I rebuild this neck? in the group Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

"Thanks Mad. I never play much above the 15th anyway!"

Mar 25, 2020

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How did you learn about Cigar Box Nation?: Internet seao

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Michael shrader's Blog

MS CBG No. 1. First build.

Posted on January 24, 2019 at 2:40pm 2 Comments 2 Likes

Well after talking about it for a year, I finally jumped in and completed my first build based on Shane Speal’s Poor Man’s Guitar instructions. Made a few mistakes but I guess they give it character. I’m surprised at how loud and good it sounds! Build 2 in planning!