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Cigar Box Guitar #2- Meets the Nation.

Posted by Dan Mullen on March 23, 2014 at 4:21pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Just completed my 2nd build.  This one is a Macanudo box built with an Oak neck and Jatoba headstock, fretboard, heel, bridge and tail piece.  It's strung up with a set of Gitty's low G's.  There is a piezo pickup inlayed into the bridge between the top of the lid and the bottom of the bridge.  The action on this one is a little taller than my 1st build (about .040 over the fret wires).  I'm thinking this should make it a little easier to slide. (If I only knew how to slide!)

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Replies

  • Marc Brode March 26, 2014 at 8:50am
    Very, very nice! I like the sound holes and grill work.
  • Richey Kay March 24, 2014 at 2:10am

    Loving this Dan! Loads of detail, and really well made.

  • the anonymous pick March 23, 2014 at 10:09pm

    NICE  ;-)

  • Dan Mullen March 23, 2014 at 9:14pm

    Thanks guys!

     Yep, Randy that's #2 and everything except the box and hardware parts was made from scratch.  It's my sawdust therapy!  I do cheat a bit on the headstocks, I make them on a cnc router.  But in my defense, I built the cnc router from scratch about 10 years ago.  Even with the use of the power tools, I have found myself using alot more hand tools on these builds then I do when making furniture.  Hand planes, sanding blocks, files, scrapers, hand saws, carving tools and chisels have all been used to make these necks and fret boards.

    Dan

    • Rand Moore > Dan Mullen March 25, 2014 at 1:08am

      Ei-yah! CNC machines! Next thing you know they'll be printing them out on 3D printers! That technology is pretty much here today... Anyone doing that on CBN?!

      -Rand.

  • Rand Moore March 23, 2014 at 7:44pm

    Hi Dan,

    Is that really only your second CBG build? Well, did you buy the neck/headstock? Or, are you an already accomplished wood worker/cabinet maker? It's taken be a couple years and dozens of builds to hone my woodworking skills to the point where my necks/headstocks begin to approach the beauty of this one. Still my headstocks aren't as nice as this.

    Of course, having access to a nice wood-shop full of powered tools helps. Most of my instruments are still built on what used to be my computer desk and most my tools are hand tools. However, when I visit the States in the Summer I can usually build several instruments pretty quick with the electric tools at a woodworking club I joined last year. Still, building with a bunch of power tools requires a fair amount of learning and skills building. I expect a few more summers before I can consistently build instruments with power tools as nicely as I can build with hand tools.

    Anyways, that looks like one sweet 3-stringer. A great build for your CBG #2.

    -Rand.

  • Craig Howard March 23, 2014 at 5:23pm

    Congrats..very nice work and it looks great.

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