Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Don McCann on January 22, 2013 at 8:33pm

Jimmy Page did most of his slide playing for Led Zep. with a Dan Electro guitar which have bodies that are made mostly of Masonite (kind of a very dense pressed paper board) and he sounded awesome. A lot of Surf music was played on the Dan Electros as well, they could be very bright sounding guitars.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on January 22, 2013 at 8:37pm

I make guitars with hardboard (Masonite) tops for our guitar making workshops here in the UK. We've done hundreds of them and people often remark how good they sound.

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Permalink Reply by jamie bark on January 22, 2013 at 9:16pm

The one thing I find comfort in is that you can always swap the neck into another box as long as the size is close. I had a customer that wanted to buy a couple acoustics the next day, but all I had were electrics. Swapped a couple necks and away we go. I have a wood box that up and died on me. No idea what happened, but lost all sustain after about 2 months. Didn't change a thing... it's loud, but the sound changed big time. What's up with that?

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Permalink Reply by Gene Robinson on January 23, 2013 at 2:55am

Jamie, that's pretty bizarre!

Maybe you lost a contact point that was critical?  I have been permanently attaching my boxes to the neck.  I've heard you need that "coupling" to make the soundboard really vibrate.  The masonite idea intrigues me too (You guys are killin' me!) I may have to try that on one.

Right now I'm building my own box for a reso out of birdseye maple with a beautiful tigers tripe maple neck.  I had an Old Lowes reso in copper but since this thing is going to pretty light I ordered one out of the aluminum and will make all the furniture silver too.

Have to agree on that first "test drive".  When I'm winding strings on it makes me wish I had one of those electric key twister thingies to get that part done quicker!

Gene

 

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Permalink Reply by Tom Drommond on January 23, 2013 at 6:34am

I think the wooden boxes make longer lasting guitars.  I've built one from a paper-covered box.  No difference in sound, but the paper got raggedy looking just building it.  Not a problem with wooden boxes.

I've got the next two ready to start.  I like those Fuente boxes, too.

 

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on January 23, 2013 at 7:18am

The ragetty edges give it character, I like both though.

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Permalink Reply by the Fred on January 23, 2013 at 7:49am

I'm about to start work on a paper covered box and one part of me wants to keep it as pristine as possible, but I know its going to get worn so I've actually ben thinking of taking a sander to it and just weathering the hell out of it.  Then I won't have to worry about damaging it during building.  

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Permalink Reply by Gene Robinson on January 23, 2013 at 9:20am

Wonder if you could put lacquer or tru oil on the paper and make it a little "tougher" or more resistant to getting that raggedy look too soon.......

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Permalink Reply by Tom Drommond on January 23, 2013 at 9:32am

That's a good idea.  I've had great luck with Deft Clear Wood Lacquer in the spray can.  I dries quick, so it probably wouldn't get in to the ink on the paper.  Lots of light coats....may be a coat of their Sanding Sealer, as a barrier coat.  I have both and a paper-covered box.  I'll see and report back.

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Permalink Reply by The Phrygian Kid on January 24, 2013 at 4:01pm

Super glue ;)

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Permalink Reply by Gene Robinson on January 23, 2013 at 11:31am

That Deft stuff is great!  I use it and love how quick it dries.  Do let us know how it does on your boxes.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Drommond on January 23, 2013 at 4:51pm

My mom, the last of the hippie hold-outs may have hit on the right stuff.

Mod Podge

The Deft Clear Wood Lacquer Spray over the Sanding Sealer Spray gave the best adhesion and a nice shine surface (only had gloss, satin or matte would be better).  It did cause the seams to lift in places and I dusted it to keep from re-wetting the glue.

I'm thinking the Mod Podge locks all those down and gives a surface to wear through.  Hobby Lobby tomorrow.

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