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Tell me YOUR Likes and dislikes of CBG building

Hey thought i'd get some input from the pros and rookies on what YOU hate and like......

likes....The sound thru the pickup when you get it soldered, stringing, intonating,playin it for the first time.getting the box cut and the neck fitting in,The smell of wood,they all smell unique,coming up with a cool idea that actually works.Finding a piece at the thrift store that I can use in a build.

and for me sayng.....yup ,I built that.....lol

Dislikes.....Roookie perspective.....Destoying a nice box......I use average ones right now till I get better,Cutting the neck too short and not getting the distance btween the nut and bridge....gakking a box with the saw,soldering tiny litlle damn wires,forgetting to cut inside of neck be4 cutting box....dohhhh,Glueing a box together then having a post build wiring or plug issue,,,grrr,Fretting,,,,,arghhhh,so far still fretless, had one try without success,Losing patience because I'm frustrated

I do like building , but I lack patience and I get ahead of myself,It's a process,this CBG thang

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Permalink Reply by Downtown Vinnie on June 24, 2013 at 2:45pm

Love what you said, firstly ,I'm a straight shooter and I respect that,secondly, I agree wholeheartedly about the elitist factor ,I've smelled it here a few times too, well said,TPK.

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Permalink Reply by c# merle on June 25, 2013 at 1:28am

so true mate. never understood the whole 'cigarbox only' thing. i like the ingenuity of the home builder - not the mass production some guys go for.

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Permalink Reply by William McCauley on June 30, 2013 at 4:43am

I agree with option 2, I've got a router, so that is what I use. Sand, sand, and sand some more. I use spray laquer, but I'm going to try Tru-oil some day.

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Permalink Reply by William McCauley on July 1, 2013 at 2:47am

I have used poly for other projects in the past (usually on woodcarvings and canes/ walking sticks) I don't like the long dry time or the feel of the finished product. plus, finish repair is a pain. Have you seen or tried the micro fiber tack cloths?

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on June 24, 2013 at 3:40pm

I do not enjoy shaping the back of the neck. Not at all.

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Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on June 24, 2013 at 6:59pm

do you have a spokeshave Diane? turns a difficult job into a pleasant pastime - though knowing when to stop is the trick! (-:

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Permalink Reply by Wade on June 24, 2013 at 3:54pm

What's not to like! Well one thing. Wiring issues.
Spent two days trying to find out where grounding/hum issue was coming from.
Turns out to be fluorescent lights where the culprit.
I'm talking the ugliest, noisiest, crackly noise I ever heard . Even if you are playing in another room. Even with a battery powered amp you could hear some of the noise.
All is good now. I play during the day and play with the lights out at night. Does Gitty sell night vision goggles?

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Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on June 24, 2013 at 6:53pm

I have a break from building sometimes then embark on a series of ideas, i do them one at a time usually but made two together last time. The biggest chores were sawing, sanding and shaping, but since i got a band saw, electric sander and a spokeshave these jobs have become a pleasure, and once i got the hang of hand fretting this also became much more enjoyable ! (-:

I spent a lot of time (and materials!) experimenting and finding the best ways to get the most out of my builds acoustically and keep them neat looking, getting there now (-:

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Permalink Reply by Downtown Vinnie on June 24, 2013 at 7:12pm

This is great ,my peops, love all the side comments,I have learned much.....

I really do love creating.....even more so ,love creating something unique and odd......lol.... a lil bit like my music....

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Permalink Reply by Neil Edwards on June 24, 2013 at 8:11pm

Like - When the one instrument you are a bit ashamed of the workmanship on becomes someone elses great love.

When you first tune it up and it is better than you hoped.

When others get some of your passion for it

Dislikes - When others want you to change the way you do it just because it would make it more like a "real" instrument

When our government says that a cigar box doesnt match their tobacco packaging laws and this means I cant buy one to make a CBG (I use mostly tins)

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Permalink Reply by Pascal on June 24, 2013 at 9:11pm

like: the whole building process, even the "mistakes"

dislike: not being able to play the darn thing right

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on June 24, 2013 at 9:18pm

Making mistakes...yes you just have to accept it as part of the process, count to ten and try and figure a creative way of sorting it out. The great thing about this sort of handmade instrument is that generally there's a way a figuring out how to put things right...it needn't be disasterous to make a mistake..just a challenge.