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My first ten years in the CBG world
I first saw a cigar box guitar on the internet in about 2005. Blues Boy Jag was the guy and he could play! He gave tips on building and I wanted to build.
CBGs were not my first builds. I made two pretty decent mountain dulcimers in the late 90s, and a very crappy six string travel guitar.
Procuring parts was not so simple. I found a cigar box at an antique store. I drove 50 miles down to Omaha, Nebraska to a guitar repair shop and bought used tuners. The biggest adventure was a piezo. I'd seen online how to use a door bell buzzer and get the piezo out and use it on a guitar.
My first CBG was pretty cool. I tuned it DAD and the strings must have been a half inch off the fretless fretboard. It sounded pretty good and I was thrilled the first time I plugged in and the doorbell piezo worked.
Blues Boy Jag had some playing instructions and I believe the other instruction I found was John McNair. Even with a background of mediocrity on six strings and mandolin, those instructions did not take hold for me with the DAD guitar.
I went back to Omaha and bought frets and tuners and back to Radio Shack for another doorbell buzzer. I made a fretted 4 string, modeling the fretboard off my six string. It was pretty decent and that surprises me now because the only CBGs I recall seeing on line back then were fretless.
I found CBN in 09' or maybe 2010. I lurked a few times and then worked up the courage to join. It was great fun. I think there were about a thousand members then and Kenni Lee Burgess and John McNair seemed to be all over CBN and youtube with lessons. But it was knotlenny's CBG 101 that got me going. What a great thrill that was and I am forever grateful.
I went on a building jag and man, was it fun! I would lose sleep thinking how I was going to do this or that to my CBG in progress. Exciting times. Gitty must have just been getting started about then. I recall him having tuners, frets, disc piezos, brass tent grommets for sound holes – and not a lot more. No fretting templates, f hole templates, ready to use necks, fret boards, pre-wired parts, etc.
Those were creative and fun times – going to CBN to see what people came up with. So much seemed first time new. And if I saw it I would often try it.... Hubcaps, paint lid resonators, cat bowl resonators, license plate guitars. Good times, my friends! All of the fancy gear and parts available now makes it easier to create a nice build. But I think it takes away some of the fun and creativity.
My early CBN days were creative playing times too. I discovered that I am much better on three strings than six. I wanted to make a video! I was shocked to realize I could make videos on my $60.00 Kodak camera- the one I still use!
That first video was scary. I was nervous and had no clue how to edit start and stop times and no clue about lighting. Most of the vids back then (2010) were more basic than what we see now. The comments on my first vid were friendly and helpful and I realized I was making friends.
Friends..... from all over the USA and world. Wow! I dug it. Still do. One sad thing for me is to see some good CBG friends come and go. Things change. Times change. I realize that my passions have come and gone too. I no longer race dirt bikes, play competitive chess or dress like a woman and sky dive. Actually, I never did dress like a woman and sky dive.
Festivals... Early on, I wanted to go to York Fest - a long and costly trip. Never did make it. Likely never will. KC fest has been great fun. I think this year will be the 5th year. It's good meeting CBN friends and making new friends. And the players down there! Wow. Good folks too.
In some ways these days we live in are bad times. But the internet has many good things to offer. I've learned so much about CBGs, music, blues and blues history. And I've found friends and an audience for my music. I am thankful!
Where is this CBG world going? It has highs and lows. People come and go. CBGs will never go away. Building is fun – some times frustrating as hell, but fun. Playing and singing is fun. Playing an instrument built by our own hands is even better.
I am glad to have found my way to the CBG world and I thank all of my friends and all of you who contribute to our fun pastime.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Borczon on
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love your story unc, I honestly can not remember how long ago this all started for me. Back before the nation was even built. Some people come and go but fortunately there are usually a couple folks like you who really become the face of this place. Your inclusive attitude and kick ass joy at what you do is really what makes this place unique. You are one of the good guys who makes this a fun place to be. Congrats on 10 years my friend....matt
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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on
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Thanks, Matt. You are an old timer too! I am, well I think I am, gaining at a claw hammer style.
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Permalink Reply by c# merle on
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hey i remember when this cat uncle john first showed up on the cbn back in the day...and i'd say you sure have developed into an incredible performer in your own right mate. stay primal
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Can say the same for you Merle. Plus all the work and expertise you put in on download albums. Much needed and much appreciated!
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Permalink Reply by AGP # on
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Oh Yeah!!! 'Uncle John', "Great Post", I've only been at it for 2 yrs, but!!! to reiterate your some of your last line, I'm also glad to have found my way to the "CBG World", I'm more than sure you were the first on CBN to friend me, and have enjoyed (and benefited from) your constructive comments on my builds, "Thank You", it has been, and still is an enjoyable journey.
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Thanks to you, AGP. You are one of my fave builders for being creative and often cheap assed! The old piano that keeps giving you building wood.!
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Thank you, Bug. A fine job there showing my female sky diver side.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Carlson on
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Very well put U.J. - what little time I find for building/playing - I try to sneak it in. I just don't find much time to spend at the Nation - so I'm out of touch with what's going on out there. Just know this ... These little primal Americana Instruments are definitely here "To Stay"! We love them because of their deep heritage within us.
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Permalink Reply by James O Lunsford on
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Wow Ten years and your still going Strong congratulations I have only been a member about 2 years and just Realized I have posted 200 songs on CBN most of them original written By Me. CBN has been good inspiration for Writers like Us Looking Forward to seeing you on Here another ten more years
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James O. 200 songs for you and many of them your originals. I think you found an audience too!
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Permalink Reply by King Harvest on
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I just want to let you know that without the enthusiasm and encouragements of many members such as you Uncle John, the time i spent in the CBG world would have gone by very differrently. I'm probably one of those that your positive and stimulating attitude kept going. You all contributed in creating a community where the feeling of being part of a shared experience is still almost tangible on many levels. That's probably why i'm not surprised to see how a relatively recent building history (i'm just speaking of the last few years) is already being processed with nostalgic connotations.
It's been a long strange trip, still rolling
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