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Lefty build

Well ...after a week or two of research and hitting up a couple good smoke shops for some decent sized boxes I have decided to build my own box. I realize I am breaking the rules so to speak.........but I have been building boxes for nearly 30 years as a cabinet maker.............and some beautiful boxes at that. I just figured I can use the best tonewood I already have in stock in the shop, and build the box to the exact size I want. This leaves me with a blank slate and no limitations.

My nephew and his band drove all night to Detroit for one gig and called me tonight from Louisville enjoying some barbecue before tonights show there..............then they drive all night back to Philly for a gig tomorrow night. I can just see him jambing on that small guitar someday in the van on the way to his next gig !

Remember those days when you could burn that candle real hard and love it?

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Permalink Reply by Clock The Wolf on March 8, 2014 at 3:11pm

All kinds of people build there own boxes. It is nothing unusual.

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Permalink Reply by popsomatic on March 8, 2014 at 3:13pm

oh I know......I was just throwing it out there

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Permalink Reply by David McQueen on March 8, 2014 at 3:46pm

Figured out the size yet? I have become real partial to 8 x 10 x 2".

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Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on March 8, 2014 at 10:56pm

There is really no such thing as tone wood, it is a myth, Cedar will do for a box, hardwood for the neck, but cigar boxes can be bought off ebay pretty cheaply, though home made boxes have no less authenticity, some i've seen look amazing! (-:

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Permalink Reply by popsomatic on March 9, 2014 at 5:45pm

well its not a question of authenticity.......building my box from scratch I have a blank slate. I have built all my kids blanket chests and boxes, cradles and toys over the years....I like to personalize their suff with inlays and things they have interests in. To be able to inlay my nephews guitar with the same black walnut from the same tree I used in his baby cradle 20 years ago really does it for me.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on March 9, 2014 at 12:11am

You will get a better acoustic sound using better materials,solid woods or even thinner ply than is used in regular cigar boxes.This one is 11" x 8" x 2", american walnut back and sides, western red cedar front,it's by far the loudest of any I've built.

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on March 9, 2014 at 3:46am

Wow that's awesome

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Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on March 10, 2014 at 12:41am

Thanks for that

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Permalink Reply by David McQueen on March 9, 2014 at 4:20am

What thickness are you aiming at for top, bottom and sides? By the way, that is just lovely.

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Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on March 9, 2014 at 6:53pm

I think Michael uses 1/8" for the tops (maybe a little thinner) and sometimes 1/4" for the bottom and sides. Bear in mind you need to brace the underside of the soundboard if you're using solid wood or very thin ply... I use the same. Michael helped out a lot when I started making my own boxes.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on March 10, 2014 at 12:43am

The top on that one is 3/32" and fan strutted.The back and sides are just 1/16" thick

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Permalink Reply by David McQueen on March 10, 2014 at 2:23am

I have been wondering how thin I could go on a small box. That is why you are getting such good volume.

I can't tell from the photo, are you using classical strings? It appears to be a straight across bridge instead of angled, but could just be the photo angle.