#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

String questions

I've built my first cbg and am useing Ernie Ball Earthwood 80/20 bronze guitar strings 42 gague, 30 gauge and 17 plain string. I can't play it a lick but it sounds nasty. Useing glass slide on the wound strings doesn't give me the pure sound. When I use my glass bottle slide over the 17 gauge plain string I get a second high pitch overtone that sounds like a cat. This note is over and above the normal string sound. Any suggestions beyond learning to play????

0 members like this

Views: 318

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on May 10, 2009 at 12:45pm

Cool thanks! I'll keep with those. I had bought some 12s for my current, yet unfinished, CBG and will stick with them.

-Wes

Al said:

a reasonably heavy slide always helps for acoustic/cbg but i prefer something lighter for electric. I use 12s on my acoustic and 9s on my electric my quality street lap steel has a 36, a 26 and a 17 tuned either A,E,A or G,D,G

▶ Reply

‹ Previous
1
2
Next ›

Welcome to
Cigar Box Nation

Sign Up
or Sign In

Or sign in with:

The Essential Pages

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources

CigarBoxGuitar.com - the knowledgebase of the homemade music movement.
Cigar Box Music - How-to-Build CBGs DVDs, How to Play CBG and more!
3-String-Guitar.com - John "Red Dog" McNair's unique take on cigar box guitars and their history - lots of historic photos!
The Cigar Box Guitar Manifesto - the mission statement and rallying cry for the Cigar Box Guitar Revolution.

Forum

Nut

Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Taffy Evans 16 hours ago. 6 Replies 0 Likes

Copper Hardware

Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. 20 hours ago. 4 Replies 0 Likes

You like Train songs on Handmade instruments as much as I do? Meet Eastwood station…

Started by BrianQ. in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts Apr 29. 0 Replies 2 Likes

Are metal frets necessary?

Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 8 Replies 1 Like

AI Search Query - Curious Answer

Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 6 Replies 0 Likes

Song lyrics for Steve's new song

Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. Apr 25. 4 Replies 0 Likes

UK - Best Place to Buy Cigar Box's

Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango Apr 22. 4 Replies 0 Likes

Busking Songs...

Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes

Joseph J. Rogowski about Current Based Pickup Design

Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes

Flat bucker under box top. Any Success?

Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes

Has anyone tried this? Thoughts?

Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like

just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes

VIDEO: Building a CBG with limited resources.

Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes

Free PDF Download: Vintage Guitar Effects Plans - 1967 Fuzzbox and 1969 Treble Boost

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes

No Harmonics

Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes

Camera suggestions?

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

CBG site issues, continued.

Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes

Blog Posts

I'll be fashionable this summer =)

Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like

Everyone can make CBG. And I did it =)

Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes

.✨. Cover Me ..♪♫•¨•. ~ the Delta Blues Outlaws

Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

Q&A with Arkansas-based talented blues musician Billy Jones, one of the very best authentic modern artists

Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes

Big Power Bank for Small CBG =)

Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like

Latest Activity

Uncle John commented on A.D.EKER's photo

Decoration on the Spider & Frog

"Interesting on how you strung it up. Have a good week, Andries."

3 hours ago

Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video

On Top of Spaghetti: 3D Printed Cigar Box Guitar

"I did not know that Kale! It’s a new song to me. I guess I don’t get around. It is very…"

13 hours ago

Taffy Evans replied to Bill Andy's discussion Nut

"Hi Bill, I see your problem, a neck with no fingerboard, yuck. Anyway, you will have to cut a…"

16 hours ago

AGP # liked A.D.EKER's photo

Decoration on the Spider & Frog

18 hours ago

AGP # liked A.D.EKER's photo

Waterlilie adaptation

18 hours ago

AGP # liked Poorness Studios's video

Rainbow Stew (low budget cover on cigar box guitar) | Merle Haggard

18 hours ago

AGP # commented on AGP #'s photo

AGP #533 - ''Beware of Wife''

""Thanks 'UJ' & Doug, Needless To Say!, "She Is Not Amused" ;-D"

18 hours ago

BrianQ. replied to Bill Andy's discussion Copper Hardware

"There’s a company named Guyker that makes antique bronze tuners, they look like an old penny,…"

20 hours ago

Gary O'slide posted a video

Western Orient song cigar box guitar @RhialtoPurple

Stream album:STREAM THIS ALBUM ON Doux Voyage: https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/album/21jurPPYUy7dSwukAy1D1M?si=LcGvWgp5Ty2b_yFjOiNJbASTREAM THIS ALBUM ON VA...

20 hours ago

0 Comments 1 Like

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's photo

Decoration on the Spider & Frog

"Thanks Doug Glad you Do !"

20 hours ago

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's photo

Decoration on the Spider & Frog

"Thanks UJ ! GG (high) D, G . only i reversed the stings On top is not the G (low) but…"

20 hours ago

BrianQ. liked Poorness Studios's video

Rainbow Stew (low budget cover on cigar box guitar) | Merle Haggard

21 hours ago

RSS

CigarBoxGuitar.com Knowledgebase Articles

Add a Panel-Mount Gain to a C. B. Gitty Amp Board

Cigar Box Guitar Building Tip: Neck Reinforcement with Humbuckers

A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Make a Straight Headstock

Cigar Box Ukulele Kit Assembly Guide

Advanced Cigar Box Guitar Building guide by Joshua Gayou

“Open A” AEA Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open E” EBE Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open D” DAD Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open G” GDG Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

Diatonic (Dulcimer-Style) Fretting – What it is, How and Why to Use It

More…

Events

Republic of Texas CBG Festival (8th Annual)

May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 Likes
Cigar Box Nation: York PA - A CBG Builder's Meet-Up

May 11, 2024 from 1pm to 4pm – York Town Craft Guild
1 Comment 0 Likes

20th Annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival (Day 1)

May 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes

20th Annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival (Day 2)

May 31, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium
0 Comments 0 Likes

20th Annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival (Day 3, Daytime)

June 1, 2024 from 11am to 3pm – Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment
0 Comments 0 Likes

Music

© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service

Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!

#xg { position:relative;top:120px; } #xn_bar { top:120px; }

Hello, you need to enable JavaScript to use Cigar Box Nation.

Please check your browser settings or contact your system administrator.

Sign in to chat!

Scroll \uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->