Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on December 16, 2012 at 7:27pm

I have just removed the white paper lining from the inside of the box and they resonate fine. I built a Macanudo box and a Partagas Grande and they both sound great. In some ways it seems the "paper boxes" actually resonate as good or better then the all wood boxes.

Permalink Reply by Dick Mott on December 17, 2012 at 3:44am

Thanx Thomas, I'm going to give it a go.  Like I've said b-4, "It's all about having fun doin this, and if I learn something in the process,  great!

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on December 17, 2012 at 3:53am

Every box is different. Half the fun is finding the voice and personality inside the box.

Permalink Reply by Dick Mott on December 17, 2012 at 1:32pm

Kinda like finding where the wood wants to go when ya start carving!

Permalink Reply by frank tennyson on December 17, 2012 at 8:41pm

Its funny but was forced to make several guitars recently with paper covered boxes. These were all new, just empties from the store the day the last cigar was smoked boxes - you could smell the cigars still. I have always used all wood boxes, just like the look. Sprayed them with clear spray sealer, left all the paper inside and out, just put my sticker on the bottom to cover the bar code. Wow, acoustics were fab! Only use larger boxes, it may not work for smaller boxes as all the ones I used were large and at least 2 1/2 deep. But, yes, definitely, they look marvelous, and paper does not hurt the sound!

Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on December 18, 2012 at 3:52am

Dick, I have made many paper covered boxed CBG's and a bunch of them are Macanudos. I always remove the paper inside, I do think it helps. If the lid is plywood I peel it off the inside of that too, if its the pressboard or masonite type, which a lot of macanudos are now, I leave it on. They all sound great when finished. Look at pics on my page most of them are paper covered. Build it and play it, you will like it.

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on December 21, 2012 at 3:03am

part of the discussion should include whether or not you are going to install some type of pickup.  if so, it is (relatively) less important if you are building on paper covered, top or bottom, or wood.  if you're building something all acoustic, then either stay with all wood (but you may need to be selective even here) or build on the box bottom of a paper covered box.

Permalink Reply by Dick Mott on December 21, 2012 at 5:17pm

I will be installing a piezo, but hopefully, acoustically,

the sound will be good as well.

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on December 21, 2012 at 4:26am

I built this Partagas Gigante box using the paper lid as the sound board. It may have been better using the wood back for the face, but acoustically and through the piezos and my Cigar Box Amp this is my best sounding build to date. Everyone that has played it wants to take it home.

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Permalink Reply by Dick Mott on December 21, 2012 at 5:17pm

Thanx Thomas.  I will be installing a piezo pickup, but I am hoping to have a good stand-alone acoustic sound as well.