Last week, I stopped by at my local cigar store and picked up the starting points for a few projects. I found:
- a Romeo y Julieta Reserve box (red label)
- a Brick House box (red stained), and
- a Baccarat “Gordo Baccarat Havana Selection” box.
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!
Comments
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
Personally, I am not a bottle cap fan. 25mm piezo, hot glued to the lid works great.
1x2 poplar is good, but if you don't mind a little more work, maple is awesome.
The neck takes the tension from the strings, The only time I brace the box is if I have to cut the neck to fit a magnetic pickup.
If you plan on dadoing the neck, cut at most 3/16", as the neck will bow Where the fretboard meets that thinner spot. You might consider a "heel" piece of 1/4" oak to reinforce the dadoed portion of the neck, up about 2" past the box for strength.
Hot glue works great for potting piezos.
I have never needed to ground my strings with a piezo pickup. Do twist the piezo leads together, though.
Best of luck!
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!
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