Hello all, I am brand new to cigar box guitars and found the aesthetics of this one to my liking, but I don't know anything else about it. Does it look constructed well? Is the design geared toward one type of music over another? Hoping someone knowledgeable can tell me what I have here. Thanks so much in advance.
Tags:
Looks fine to me? Question of if it’s built well, does it feel solid?Does it sound good? If it is, then it’s built well. Cbg’s have endless capabilities, so whatever you wanna do with it is up to you? A simple cbg can cover old timey, blues, rock,slide & metal sounds. It all depends on where you wanna take it? Cheers
Yep, pretty much what Jim has outlined. Playability and being intonated accurately is possibly most important, as well as the stability of the neck. Frets should be rounded on top and not left flat from levelling.
Lower string actions will show up sloppy fret work by the buzzing of strings on certain frets.
Taff
Yes, as others have said, between the hard tail bridge, the magnetic pickup, the lack of sound holes and the thickness of the box. you probably won't get a lot of volume out of that guitar without an amp.
I've noticed that lighter strings sing well without the resonance of the sound board. A set of .009", .012" and .022" strings would give you the highest GDG tuning (middle G, high D & high G). You may want to start there. Those high strings will sound great for folk and traditional music, similar to a dulcimer.
If you really want to play blues or rock, string it up with .042", .030" & .022" wound strings and plug it into an amp.
Like I said, play the music you like to listen to and enjoy your new guitar.
Karen, I think they said that, is because there are no sound hole or holes in it. Unless there are some on the side of it, that we can't see. Also the box doesn't look that thick, and they would have put a board inside to screw the adjustable bridge to. If you just want an acoustic guitar, you could always buy a kit from CBGitty.
Hi Karen, Keith is on the money there, plus if I may add, the bridge is too solid and too far back on soundboard to be effective acoustically. And for me, screwing a heavy pickup onto the top will dampen vibrations, add to that the large pickup surround.
Don't worry you will get an acoustic sound but it could be better.
Taff
A bit more.......if you have not bought this guitar and you are thinking "acoustic" add up the features mentioned by the guy's above, that will get you a good one.
Here's some pictures of a couple of my builds using side soundholes.
Taff
With all that crap bolted to the top its good for acoustic practice...This one is fine, full acoustic.
Hi Karen, thanks for the comments.
Going by the photo there may not be enough room for the size hole that would be beneficial.
The soundhole in the side of the CBG in my photo is 45mm diameter, it did improve the volume some, but removing the grill and leaving the chrome surround only, improved it even more.
Depending on what the size of the neck block is, if it's not a through neck, you may be better off putting 2 holes one either side of the neck just forward of the pickup.
With a decent small portable amp you don't have to play much louder than acoustic volume to enjoy playing. I like to play down the back yard and I have my acoustic plugged in just enough to block out the birds, frogs and other critters. Ha ha.
Taff
I'm guessing that the reason it doesn't have a soundhole is that the builder intended it as electric only, since those boxes have very thick lids. If you are looking to practice quietly this may be the way to go, paired with a small amp and headphones.
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts 13 hours ago. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Bill Andy 13 hours ago. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by BrianQ. in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts on Tuesday. 0 Replies 2 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!