Forums

First Build Newbie, box too thick mabye?

Posted by Paul Cezanne on December 2, 2017 at 9:05am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Hi everybody!

All my parts are ordered and shipped and I'm pretty excited about this. I was watching some videos and I'm wondering if I bought too strong a cigar box. I found this great looking one on ebay, hopefully I've attached the file.

And now I'm wondering if the wood is too thick? I wonder if I should use my router and thin out the top for more resonance. (Note, I've never used a router before but I do have some basic wood working skills.)

I guess I could just build it and see how it sounds but I won't really know how it sounds until I nail it shut and then it's too late.

Thanks everybody!

s-l1600.jpg

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Jeff 'Bones' Reilly December 10, 2017 at 12:00am

    yep just build on it I think you found a great first box to use good luck .

  • Blues Frog December 9, 2017 at 11:55pm

    I love the look of that box. I would make it an acoustic, and see what sound came out of it

    • Paul Cezanne > Blues Frog December 10, 2017 at 10:47am

      That's an interesting approach! I had thought of that. Since I'm using a rod piezo I can just not install it and play it some and see if I'm happy. If I want a different sound, just open up the box, drill for the rod piezo and volume and close it back up again.

      It also simplifies it since I don't have to build the amp also.

      It does mean I need to drill sound holes but I like the look of them so I was going to do that anyways.

      • Blues Frog > Paul Cezanne December 10, 2017 at 2:16pm

        I have an old wine box that I want to eventually make into an acoustic git. In my head I'm picturing a full six stringer, but we'll see what I come up with when I finally get to that particular box.

  • Paul Cezanne December 5, 2017 at 12:01pm

    The box arrived yesterday. All my fears are ungrounded, it is nicely lightweight and feels like it will be resonant. And it looks even better than the pictures.

    Thanks everyone for the help!

    • Taffy Evans > Paul Cezanne December 5, 2017 at 7:35pm

      That's great news. I'd like to add one comment if I may.

      I see the top /lid is supported at the back and at the front edges by resting on the sides of the box, however it looks unsupported at its other two ends. As the lid sits inside the sides of the box I would suggest adding support bearers under the top  [what will be the tailpiece and neck ends of the box] glued to those two sides of the box.

      But it may already be supported, just thought I would mention it.

      Cheers taff 

      • Paul Cezanne > Taffy Evans December 5, 2017 at 7:41pm

        Yes, just supported at the front and back, not the sides. Is any wood good enough? I have a bunch of cedar left over sitting out in the yard. Or do I need a hardwood?

        • MadGomer > Paul Cezanne December 5, 2017 at 8:04pm

          Cedar would be just fine, just need to give it some stability.

      • MadGomer > Taffy Evans December 5, 2017 at 7:38pm

        Yes, good catch

    • MadGomer > Paul Cezanne December 5, 2017 at 7:31pm

      Don't forget to post a photo when you get done, really like that box!

This reply was deleted.