Last week, I stopped by at my local cigar store and picked up the starting points for a few projects. I found:
I paid three bucks apiece for the boxes, and was happy to find them. I plan to make a 3-string fretted CBG from the R&J as my first project. I want to save the Brick House box for a 4-stringer, and the Baccarat box will be perfect for an amp enclosure. I have a Honeytone I'd like to move out of that plastic case to give the speaker some breathing room.
I’ve built a mountain dulcimer, so I’m familiar with the use of fret wire, as well as a lot of the other required skills. However, these CBG’s are a bit different, so I’d appreciate some feedback before I start sawing anything. Here’s where I am on the 3-stringer:
1. Purchased a 4-foot length of 1 x 2 poplar for the neck
2. Got a 2-foot length of 2 x 1/4 red oak for the fingerboard
3. Ordered from C.B. Gitty:
a. 6 ft. Med/med fret wire
b. Shane Speal signature tuners
c. Basic Piezo Pickup Kit for Cigar Box Guitar
4. Scrounged up from my guitar room and garage:
a. Buncha new strings
b. Grommets for sound holes
c. Tru-Oil, and other finishing supplies
d. Gold-headed screws for string trees
e. Additional hardwood stock (poplar, maple, hard pine, and walnut)
f. Hot glue gun and beer bottle caps for potting the piezos
g. Lotsa pop rivets for ferrules
h. Lotsa metal odds and ends for tailpiece, bridge saddle, nut, etc.
I’m planning a through-neck design with wings at the headstock area so I can make it a bit more decorative. I haven’t decided whether or not to scarf the neck – opinions would be appreciated. Just for giggles, I’m also thinking about decoupaging a Romeo y Julieta graphic onto the headstock. I’ve done something similar before using Tru-Oil as both adhesive and finish.
Also, I notice that most plans call for putting blocks under the neck inside the box in order to secure the neck to the inside bottom, and a few don’t. Seems like an essential step to me.
I do have a few questions about the piezos. I’m thinking about potting them with hot glue in bottle caps, then gluing them to the sound board on the bass string side of the neck. The set of two should (I think) be wired in parallel to reduce feedback. Make sense? I’m feeling my way through this, so give me a holler if I’m all wet, particularly as to the piezo placement. Pictures would be nice....
I understand that I can ground the electronics to the tailpiece, since I’ll be using a wood bridge with a brass saddle (or something similar). Can’t really ask any questions about this until I get a look at the wiring diagram. I haven’t decided how to make the tailpiece yet, but it will be metal so I can ground through to the strings. Worst case, I’ll just use a hinge.
I’ll post photos here as I get them. Please let me know what you think about this, especially if I’m missing something important – if so, it won’t be the first time!
Comment
Dana,
I did realize what you meant, but wanted you to feel comfortable with what you are doing. Each time I build, I think of ways I could've done it better. Not that its wrong, but I could've improved it. that's the fun of this, seeing what comes out of your git when you're done.
Looking forward to hear or see the finished product. Remember, if you have questions on how to do something, all you have to do is ask, and you'll have more help here than you know what to do with.
You're working on the construction. You want criticism. That equals Constructive Criticism.
Not a bad thing...
Cheers
Yes BF, I realize it's all up to me, but I appreciate hearing from those who've gone before. By criticism, I really meant words of warning, as in "dude, you really don't wanna do that!" Anyhow,, so far it's going pretty well. New posting on the way.....
Did anybody point out to you that there are no rules? In my experience, this is not the place for criticism, but helpful advice.
Sounds like you have the proper info to build with. Build and let us see and hear what you came up with and we can offer our advise from there, but its up to you on how and what you do. Have fun and do it!
Erasmo, thanks for the repost. I figured out what happened to the original - I fat-fingered the post with my tablet while trying to type a reply and hit the delete icon!
John, thanks for all the advice! I hadn't considered reinforcing with the oak, but that might be a better option. I'll be doing a few sketches this weekend, so maybe I can post a layout before I start to cut any lumber
I'm planning on doubling the thickness from the heel through to the tailpiece. Also, I'm using a red oak fretboard, so once I scarf the thing and glue it on, everything should be fine. I'll be posting photos as I go along. Won't have any shop time until Friday at the earliest.
Erasmo, I think I may somehow have deleted your comment with the wiring diagram. Don't know how that happened but thanks for the info! I'll definitely look for a cap and resistor to make that lo-pass filter!
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray yesterday. 8 Replies 1 Like
Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Southern Ray yesterday. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. on Thursday. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango on Tuesday. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Carl Floyd Mar 1. 15 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Joe in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Carl Floyd Feb 29. 13 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Chance in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 22. 12 Replies 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMay 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
Join Cigar Box Nation