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Burnt out on making cbg?

I’ve been making cbg for a little of a year now, have 22 under my belt, a website, etc, getting better and better with my craft but I have seemed to get uninspired and not wanting to get in the shop and make them anymore. After my 8th one I started making them to sell and maybe that what got me in this slump. Since January I’ve only made 2 which is the second one is only 75% complete now it just sits there and I don’t have the inspiration or “will” to want to build anymore.

I’m asking all those that make tons to sell, what do you do to keep inspired and keep going, money is always a good push when one sells, but how to get out of this slump???

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Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on June 26, 2013 at 9:38pm

I've made only 29 over a five year period and can understand how you're bored with the basic cigar box guitar thing, there's not much of a challenge after making 22 in a year. I don't make them to make money it is purely for my own entertainment, if I sell one or two along the way it's a bonus.

I've maintained my interest by using other boxes ( Guinness, Quality Street metal ) ,making the boxes from scratch, using ply or in some cases solid timber sheet ( You'd be amazed at the difference in the sound with better materials), cat bowl reso on a home made box and boxes with copper tops. Trouble is when each one is different you don't want to part with them so the collection just gets bigger.

Try something different, look for more of a challenge.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on June 27, 2013 at 3:20am

I'm with you Michael...Collect the whole set. No two are alike and that's part of the fun. Love that copper top and I have been wanting to build some sort of reso when I get the time. Hmmm, there is almost half the year left, I better get started.

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Permalink Reply by Reeds Taylor on June 27, 2013 at 3:38am

Here's what happens when I don't feel like building a CBG...the grand kids benefit..

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on June 27, 2013 at 3:53am

yup

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on June 27, 2013 at 4:11am

heck, have a computer crash , and loose the intenet for a week .. fark ,, i got so bored , i made a guitar out of my desk phone .

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Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on June 27, 2013 at 6:58am

That's cool Pick!

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Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on June 27, 2013 at 8:38pm

Love that it's sort of oriental/Gothic

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Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on June 27, 2013 at 11:20pm

When I get overwhelmed with work and need to do something else I dabble in making rustic furniture. These small benches are fun to do and gives me a break from doing custom bone work.

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on June 28, 2013 at 1:36am

cool randy .

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Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on June 29, 2013 at 1:30am

In the timeless words of Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) in The Shining..."All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy".

Balancing cbg building with life's other pleasures is important. In my case, I am a farmer (hence the nomenclature "Farmer Ted") and am busy with farm duties from May to October. Typically I will only build custom commissioned builds during those months.

But from November to April I am in the shop every day, even if only for a few hours. To make things interesting, I break away from what may be called "traditional" cbg builds, and make things like lapsteels, hockey stick guitars, strum sticks and pickups.

Variety is the spice of life, and works well for me. Just remember, if you're spending all your spare time building, that leaves less time for friends, family, playing music, and boobies.