Though i have been instrument making for many years in a different field to CBGs, I am amazed at the paucity of articles about CBGs, both in general and specific. Even the plans that are on the net are not madly easy to follow for a newcomer. You have to take from one and add to another to get the full picture.
CBG makers seem to hide behind the fact that "there are no rules" True there are none, but first time makers need rules, measurements, techniques.
What has prompted me to ask this of you is that i was going through the archives and noticed that "Necks" kept coming up.... all sorts of questions, many of them basic techniques.
Another is the matter of Piezos, amps and pick ups. Many, like me are ignorant of such matters and i would love to have a hand holding/idiots guide, even step by step with lovely coloured pictures on how to construct a suitable amp for our piezos.
There are a scad of videos on different aspects of CBGs, many are very good too, but many fall short of information for a first time maker, the other thing is you cant really take a video out to the workshop to guide you through each step... printed stuff is much better.
Some of the hobbies i have have Magazines devoted to them. CBGs, has this excellent forum.
I would love to see a heading of "ARTICLES" up there with "plans" and "podcasts" etc.
Meanwhile we frequent luthiers sites, there is a lot of information there but they are talking about high class instruments designed for the concert hall or something like that. (Leaving aside the solid wood amplified guitars)
My first CBG is not even completed yet, you should see all the questions I have asked even with an instrument making background. I am now confident (at last) to work without rules, but it has been a quantum leap from making lutes and other Early Music instruments.
I also need to add i just want a functional, twangy slide blues three stringer. I have all the pretty and acoustically correct instruments.
Once i have made my CBG and realized all the "non" mistakes I have made i will volunteer to write an article. I think "boxes and sound boards" might be my thing. But i will not be upset if anyone writes it before i get around to it.
I know we newbies can get all enthusiastic, but my comments should be regarded as supportive to others rather than negative.
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
I think that "most" of what i have to say or write about has some reasonable application to CBGs; but I can get carried away a bit! Practical feedback is the most useful theory to practice evaluation. Thank you.
Tres Seaver said:
Brian Lemin said:
Now to cap it all I am uploading a PDF article of a "pseudo scientific" nature, that could be long and boring to many but I think its conclusion is challenging.
Brian, enjoyed the article. I appreciate the effort to lay out the principles derived from traditional instrument making in a way which makes them possible to apply to CBGs. I've been uncomfortable with the "tight fit neck" design myself: the volume from my first CBG build seems pretty low, compared to the bass I built where the neck doesn't touch the soundboard at all.
May i use your "Old School" Note in the article sometime when i review it please? I will probably make the most minor editing to it. I think the modern development is probably more interesting than the old.
I will have to hunt down those references you gave me. They seem to be a bit rare over here!
One String Willie said:
Hi Brian-
Thanks for posting this! I posted a short bit in the Old School forum.
I like my hat better than Pythagoras' turban....
Best regards, Willie
Brian Lemin said:
Re send of the article on the Historical development of the Diddly Bo
Please feel free to add to this early and short body of knowledge.
Now to cap it all I am uploading a PDF article of a "pseudo scientific" nature, that could be long and boring to many but I think its conclusion is challenging.
Brian, enjoyed the article. I appreciate the effort to lay out the principles derived from traditional instrument making in a way which makes them possible to apply to CBGs. I've been uncomfortable with the "tight fit neck" design myself: the volume from my first CBG build seems pretty low, compared to the bass I built where the neck doesn't touch the soundboard at all.
Sorry i will re send this as I sent the wrong file.
Historical development of the Diddly Bo.
This is an article on the history and origins of the Diddly Bo. I invite any of you to add to this especially the modern history. Pictures are mostly form the CBG Museum
Hello! I've made over 50 CB instruments now, and have developed basic practices I follow every time, although the specifics change with each instrument. Please visit my web site at www.CarolinaFiddle.com. On the "About" page, there are two pdf articles on "How to Make" CB instruments. Maybe these will help. Alsdo, I have posted photos on this site, you can search under my name. Perhaps they will help. Best Regards, Steven
Hello!
I've made over 50 CB instruments now, and have developed basic practices I follow every time, although the specifics change with each instrument. Please visit my web site at www.CarolinaFiddle.com. On the "About" page, there are two pdf articles on "How to Make" CB instruments. Maybe these will help. Alsdo, I have posted photos on this site, you can search under my name. Perhaps they will help. Best Regards, Steven
Replies
Tres Seaver said:
May i use your "Old School" Note in the article sometime when i review it please? I will probably make the most minor editing to it. I think the modern development is probably more interesting than the old.
I will have to hunt down those references you gave me. They seem to be a bit rare over here!
One String Willie said:
Brian, enjoyed the article. I appreciate the effort to lay out the principles derived from traditional instrument making in a way which makes them possible to apply to CBGs. I've been uncomfortable with the "tight fit neck" design myself: the volume from my first CBG build seems pretty low, compared to the bass I built where the neck doesn't touch the soundboard at all.
Thanks for posting this! I posted a short bit in the Old School forum.
I like my hat better than Pythagoras' turban....
Best regards, Willie
Brian Lemin said:
the best,
Sam
Brian Lemin said:
Please feel free to add to this early and short body of knowledge.
A Look at the Diddly Bo in History.pdf
Historical development of the Diddly Bo.
This is an article on the history and origins of the Diddly Bo. I invite any of you to add to this especially the modern history. Pictures are mostly form the CBG Museum
Yes, i get some odd ideas!
A VARIETY OF SOUND HOLE POSITIONS Vs 2.pdf
Steven Miller said:
I've made over 50 CB instruments now, and have developed basic practices I follow every time, although the specifics change with each instrument. Please visit my web site at www.CarolinaFiddle.com. On the "About" page, there are two pdf articles on "How to Make" CB instruments. Maybe these will help. Alsdo, I have posted photos on this site, you can search under my name. Perhaps they will help. Best Regards, Steven
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