So I am planning my CBG build, and I have a stack of boxes to use, but in running through ideas I was thinking about the acoustic properties of a CBG. The better sounding CBGs' are usualy made using the deeper boxes. There tends to be more resonance from larger air spaces. Also the boxes I have either have plywood bottoms or paper lids. This dampens the sound. Also a friend of mine would like me to make him a CB cello. This calls for a bigger box...
I've been going over all sorts of ideas on how to replace the bottom of the boxes with solid cedar or reinforce boxes with solid bracing for more tensile strength. It would be easy to replace and customize just about any box or box part; But then just as easy to just make my own box. I am a proffesional woodworker and have made dovetailed, and fingerjointed boxes for everything from art gear to custom cases, and PA systems, as well as furniture.
That being said, how would the CBG Nation react to custom made boxes? I could make any wall thickness, use figured woods, and create any size, with all sorts of custom joinery, in any configuration. I could offer anything from stained and finished boxes with port holes, to a raw box ready for your own customization... If you have any thoughts on this or would like to commission a box or two , or more... Please view my website at www.ToddCreatedWood.com. Then send me a e-mail or call me directly to discuss what you are looking for.
Hey Julian, check my page and see if you'd be interested in one of my custom made boxes. I've decided on a given size, 10in x 13 1/2in and I'm putting binding on the top and back edges to give 'em that (legitimate) guitar look. I'm also working on one style that has a cool looking gothic cross sound hole. They are made of Cedar with solid vertical grain tops and backs. Let me know what you think of 'em.
Julian Perry said:
Hi Todd, just to add my thoughts on this....Over here in the UK cigar boxes don't seem to be as easy to come across as they are in the States, and sometimes reach nearly £20 on Ebay! so out of neccessity we are using whatever similar size boxes we can come across - photographic slide boxes are good, and certain wine boxes will do. If my woodworking skills were up to it, and I had the time, I would definitely be building my own boxes. I think the deciding factor will come down to cost. If the parts to build the box guitar start to escalate to the cost of a cheap ready-made guitar, then there is little point, unless of course it looks, sounds and feels proportionally better! I like to keep in mind that these things were born out of the ingenuity of poor folk who couldn't afford 'proper' instruments and yet had a desire to make music. They turned to cigar boxes because they were cheap, well made, the right size and plentiful. There are no rules and there are brilliant amateur luthiers on this site who can turn out beautiful instruments which would rival anything ever made in looks and sound, but there are others who prefer the more traditional 'rough and ready' route, who get a kick out of making an instrument which makes great sounds from something that looks as though it was found in a barn! Sorry to waffle on, and in answer to your question, yes I think there would be a market for custom built boxes, but I am predicting that I wouldn't be able to afford them (even without taking shipping into account!) Good luck Todd, and I'm sure you will get lots of interest.
Hi Todd, just to add my thoughts on this....Over here in the UK cigar boxes don't seem to be as easy to come across as they are in the States, and sometimes reach nearly £20 on Ebay! so out of neccessity we are using whatever similar size boxes we can come across - photographic slide boxes are good, and certain wine boxes will do. If my woodworking skills were up to it, and I had the time, I would definitely be building my own boxes. I think the deciding factor will come down to cost. If the parts to build the box guitar start to escalate to the cost of a cheap ready-made guitar, then there is little point, unless of course it looks, sounds and feels proportionally better! I like to keep in mind that these things were born out of the ingenuity of poor folk who couldn't afford 'proper' instruments and yet had a desire to make music. They turned to cigar boxes because they were cheap, well made, the right size and plentiful. There are no rules and there are brilliant amateur luthiers on this site who can turn out beautiful instruments which would rival anything ever made in looks and sound, but there are others who prefer the more traditional 'rough and ready' route, who get a kick out of making an instrument which makes great sounds from something that looks as though it was found in a barn! Sorry to waffle on, and in answer to your question, yes I think there would be a market for custom built boxes, but I am predicting that I wouldn't be able to afford them (even without taking shipping into account!) Good luck Todd, and I'm sure you will get lots of interest.
Rand, if you live in China you live in the mecca of getting things made. I am with the understanding that many top builders use there own custom built boxes rathern than an old cigar box.
If you find a good source to have high quilty boxes made, then you could have a cornered market and export these items to us. I bet Ben at C. B. Gitty would be the USA guy to contact to sell them through.
Cheers
Bob:)
Rand Moore said:
Hi All,
I'd be interested in alternate sources for cigar boxes, but they really need to be cheap. I'm based in China, so finding / collecting cigar boxes is something I do when vacation time roles around and I can travel back to the States. I imagine other places around the world also have this problem -- no cigar boxes. I'm also surprised there is no group on CBN dedicated to building box resonators, teaching how to make the joints and ribbing and all that. Right now I'm focusing on how to perfect the head/neck assemblies and then how to attach them decently to the various kinds of cigar boxes, both as neck-thrus and bolt-ons. When I get a bit more time, I'd like to get into box making. I was thinking of doing a octagonal or maybe a 12-sided polygon to approximate a circle and cover the top and bottom sides with thin wood. Just my 2 cents worth.
I'd be interested in alternate sources for cigar boxes, but they really need to be cheap. I'm based in China, so finding / collecting cigar boxes is something I do when vacation time roles around and I can travel back to the States. I imagine other places around the world also have this problem -- no cigar boxes. I'm also surprised there is no group on CBN dedicated to building box resonators, teaching how to make the joints and ribbing and all that. Right now I'm focusing on how to perfect the head/neck assemblies and then how to attach them decently to the various kinds of cigar boxes, both as neck-thrus and bolt-ons. When I get a bit more time, I'd like to get into box making. I was thinking of doing a octagonal or maybe a 12-sided polygon to approximate a circle and cover the top and bottom sides with thin wood. Just my 2 cents worth.
I have a friend that has a high end Graphics printer. He makes signs and banners all day. He could print out just about anything onto a paper sticker or even better a vinyl sticker and then I could put it on the box. I could even stain and distress the surface for you making it look old. Then you could do as you like with the instrumentation of it. Just choose your woods, and the size, then email me a description of what you'ld like to accomplish. I'll give you a quote. I can build to whatever end point you choose, be it a totally finished box, or just enough that you can take care of the finishing touches...
Keep us posted on the art work and how you are going to attach it to your instrument. Decoupage, silkscreen ? In this modern world of high tech it could all most be endless.
The art work with one of Todd's box’s or custom tops would be the best of both worlds, peas and carrots
Bob:)
L.J. said:
Ive been searching for something big enough to build a bass. bu8t the custom box idea didnt interest me due to the lack of authenticity. or artwork.I know some people build box frames to improve thier builds tone and strength. But i have always stuck to what I can make outta the box I get. If there was some way to mimic the top of the box to look like a wine,ammo,cigar,vintage anything that looked authentic and interesting enough to build around I would love to have figured back and sides, dovetailed corners and the availability to choose my woods. If this is something you start doing. And I cxan afford it. I will look into getting some type of vintage lableing for the tops and if i was successful Id be a customer for sure.
Ive been searching for something big enough to build a bass. bu8t the custom box idea didnt interest me due to the lack of authenticity. or artwork.I know some people build box frames to improve thier builds tone and strength. But i have always stuck to what I can make outta the box I get.
If there was some way to mimic the top of the box to look like a wine,ammo,cigar,vintage anything that looked authentic and interesting enough to build around I would love to have figured back and sides, dovetailed corners and the availability to choose my woods.
If this is something you start doing. And I cxan afford it. I will look into getting some type of vintage lableing for the tops and if i was successful Id be a customer for sure.
Replies
Julian Perry said:
If you find a good source to have high quilty boxes made, then you could have a cornered market and export these items to us. I bet Ben at C. B. Gitty would be the USA guy to contact to sell them through.
Cheers
Bob:)
Rand Moore said:
I'd be interested in alternate sources for cigar boxes, but they really need to be cheap. I'm based in China, so finding / collecting cigar boxes is something I do when vacation time roles around and I can travel back to the States. I imagine other places around the world also have this problem -- no cigar boxes. I'm also surprised there is no group on CBN dedicated to building box resonators, teaching how to make the joints and ribbing and all that. Right now I'm focusing on how to perfect the head/neck assemblies and then how to attach them decently to the various kinds of cigar boxes, both as neck-thrus and bolt-ons. When I get a bit more time, I'd like to get into box making. I was thinking of doing a octagonal or maybe a 12-sided polygon to approximate a circle and cover the top and bottom sides with thin wood. Just my 2 cents worth.
-Rand.
Keep us posted on the art work and how you are going to attach it to your instrument. Decoupage, silkscreen ? In this modern world of high tech it could all most be endless.
The art work with one of Todd's box’s or custom tops would be the best of both worlds, peas and carrots
Bob:)
L.J. said:
If there was some way to mimic the top of the box to look like a wine,ammo,cigar,vintage anything that looked authentic and interesting enough to build around I would love to have figured back and sides, dovetailed corners and the availability to choose my woods.
If this is something you start doing. And I cxan afford it. I will look into getting some type of vintage lableing for the tops and if i was successful Id be a customer for sure.
I like your thinking:)
Bob
Jon Henriksen said:
I think, if you make a box and put a cigar into it,..... it´s a cigarbox.
all the best
Jon
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