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What is your favourite type or size of cigar box to use and why?
The one I have in front of me. Sarcastic sounding but really, not a big deal. In reality I don't like the small (palmitas size) boxes.
And secoundly, after just having a look on ebay and seeing just how many new and old pickups are out there, What is your favourite one to use and why?
Depends. Piezos are popular with CBGs, so... Look for CBGitty here on the Nation. He has a store and does ebay IIRC.
Last one, if im trying for and old sound im a best getting and old pick up or is there another way?
Not necessarily. I could be sarcastic here again, but again in reality you get what you get.
The truth is, cigar boxes are not really meant to be musical instruments. We just happen to make musical instruments out of them. Shane and I both have made CBGs out of Macanudo Protofino Cafe box CBGs, but they will never sounds the same (obviously). Even him playing mine would not sound the same as me playing it. Style is a large factor in the sounds you get. Pickup and placement is also important but you have to know where and how to place them to get a unique sound. Note I said unique. John McNair makes some of the best sounding CBGs I know, and I can mostly tell when his are being played, but that is his mastery of what and how to make CBGs. the other 90% of course if his style of playing. His amp is also important, so I would look into that too.
Look, I see what you want, but truthfully, build one or two and see what you did right and what you did wrong (and you will do plenty wrong). I seriously doubt anyone here has made his 'desired sound' on the first build. And I really don't mean to sound discouraging. On the contrary! We here on the nation say that the first build is the best reason to build again (and again, and again, and again...). Its just recently that I've gotten my Mac box (mentioned above) to sound really cherry.
-WY
Nick,
Cool. So if you ask if larger == better, I can give you more of a definitive answer. Well, a definitive maybe. Bigger does make a deeper tone but again, that isn't the only factor. And, yes, pickups do make a difference. Remember, all cigar boxes will sound different. Dimensions only contribute but are not the total ticket to tonal tantra.
To be even more confusing, some of the grittiest, dirtiest, grungiest sounds come from some of the builders here who make their own. Now, they know what they are doing in terms of building pickups, but take some things one at a time is my opinion. Make a simple CBG. Build it to be changeable (don't glue the neck on for one so you can change the neck when you feel like it.) Put in a piezo or two, and before you ask, we have diagrams for wiring. Do a search or just ask me and I'll find what you need. We have had that question posted ad nauseum. There are a few things more you can do to make the first build an evolution in CBG, so when you get to that point, post the question on this discussion (saves electrons, he he).
So, first thing, and I know you've done some of this, is to look at the plans. Second suggestion is to review the 26K photos here in the gallery [take a vacation and do this he he]. Study how the others here do things. Learn and build.
-WY
If you lived in the states i would mail you a mac pow i got about 50...they have a nice sound. One thing i can tell you is build one, the rest will come. After i built one i understand alot more now. Wanna do a really fun CBG build a Crow style there fast and FUN!
Hi Guys, my name is Roy Alderman and I just joined. I have been playing blues harp off & on for 20 years and I am a mediocre guitar player at best, but have always had a knack for open tuned slide. i just started (& finised) my 1st build. Took 6-8 hours or more, but at least half of them were scaring up my old woodworking tools and going back & forth to Lowe's. Your comments make me feel better as I made a plethora of mistakes on my first one. It is playable for sure, but not exactly a wondrous piece of art.Wired pickup backwards and didn't know it until the box was complete & enclosed - duhhh. 3 strings will take a little while to get used to - what tuning works best for someone transitioning to a 3 string?
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