Tags:
What I do is measure out and mark the part you need to cut out. Then take a small saw and cut down the depth you need in in slots about 1/2 inch apart. Then take you chisel and pry out each chunk youve created. It'll be ragged, but you can use a file or something and smooth it all out. Ive got where I can do it in about an hour or so. Im carving in oak too.
Its 1/4 of an inch (my brain was malfunctioning). Whats the best way to do this w/o a router?
Adding a 1/4'' fretboard to the neck may be the way to go. It will save time instead of all that cutting(you may still need to cut some). It will give you a stronger neck. Also, by adding a fretboard you get the strings higher off the body(box) which results in a larger string break angle at the bridge and should give you more volume out of your CBG.
Any recommendations on where to get inexpensive fretboards?
Wade said:Adding a 1/4'' fretboard to the neck may be the way to go. It will save time instead of all that cutting(you may still need to cut some). It will give you a stronger neck. Also, by adding a fretboard you get the strings higher off the body(box) which results in a larger string break angle at the bridge and should give you more volume out of your CBG.
i say forget all of that. i don't have the tools to set up the neck-in-body arrangement, so i just don't worry about it.
i build all my instruments like a stick dulcimer - the 1x2 is the entire instrument, from the tuning head right down to the string stops at the tail. that peice of wood is treated like a complete instrument. once it is finished, it is then bolted to the face of whatever resonator i want. look at my videos and you'll see what i mean.
works for me. no fuss, no muss, and i can swap my necks to different bodies in less than 1 minute if i want. also, i always mount to the "body" side of the box or can, leaving the lid on the back. this way i can always open up the instrument for wiring or adjustment later.
some cigar boxes have no clasp on them. these i hold closed with electric tape around the entire circumference of the box, covering the gap. it dresses it up nicely too.
here's some videos. hope they help!!!
cardboard box guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd5jEWV4By8
and sample of it being played:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU8BMoxdINc
next, i moved up to a cookie tin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEGM8HZ_xow
and a sample of a cookie tin being played:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkj5F0rUlpg
finally, i started building with cigar boxes, with the exact same construction method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cyPID1FinM
and of course one of the videos with me playing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM5RchVyihc
my build method avoids all the issues involved with fretboard height vs box face height and so on. it allows me to worry more about the other aspects of instrument construction, and produces an "stick instrument" that is ready for any kind of body. in the future i plan to make cutouts of popular electric guitar shapes from some nice plywood and bolt them on. frets can be installed like any other neck. i've used wooden toothpicks before, and i plan to build another with them soon.
hope this helps!!!
Crow,
Many thanks for your response. Would it be possible to get more details on how you made your guitars? The general concept is really neat!
Check out the 'Free Plans' under 'Free Resources'. I'm sure we all have our madness and method but mostly the plans here will get you in the right direction. Sam builds differently than I as does Josh, John, Shane, etc (big names here), so the best way is to build and build again -- but better ;-)
-WY
Esteban Celis said:Crow,
Many thanks for your response. Would it be possible to get more details on how you made your guitars? The general concept is really neat!
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray 11 hours ago. 11 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Taffy Evans on Sunday. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 8 Replies 1 Like
Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. Apr 25. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango Apr 22. 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
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!