As the title suggests, i have never built a CBG before (i recently tried to build a diddley box, got a bit carried away by customization, now thats in a pile waiting for parts, i know right?) but i have recently sourced some cigar boxes. I have been noseying around the internets, watching the few youtubes i can find, and stumbled across this fine site several times. So i turn to you fine peeps to ask, if i wanted to build a semi professional looking CBG, what are the things i should be wary of? any time tested items/methods that may help me along the way?
I have several sets of plans from several sources, all of them the same, yet all differ in places. Asthetically i enjoy the CBGs with the bridge covers/plate thingybobs on and i am looking to build an acoustic one to start with, time is not an issue, id rather spend a year building a masterpiece than an hour finding disappointment.
Its a bit vague i know, but perhaps you can pick up my general gist, if not i shall try to convey what i mean more clearly.
Any and all help will be appreciated!
Also, hello to everyone! as a first post i think i made things quite complex :D
Replies
Yep. don't use your favorite box for the first. Maybe make a fast ,simple , playable one first, then you have something to play while you are waiting for the glue and finish steps to dry on your "nice" one, or if you just need a break from sanding!
Welcome! There are so many helpful folks and pages at this site you will never run out of things to learn. I have just entered my 1st year since the CBG bug bit, and I love the hobby. Best wishes. ~Lonman
Exactly like Thomas said above, I'm on my 11th build and I still keep learning newer, faster or better ways of doing things. It's all trial and error building them, you will find what way fits to how you want to build them, and each cigar box is made differently so I tend to make each one a little bit different, the cool thing about cbg is there is no set way you "have to" make them.
One suggestion, like David said, don't use your favorite box first, I made that mistake and wish I didn't, I wish I would of had 2 or 3 under my belt first so I knew what I was doing. Now I'm on my 11th and I have it pretty much down how to make them. I'm still trying out new things as I go but I now have the basics.
The forums here are a great place to find resources and ask question, oh yea.....welcome to the forums, let the addiction begin. : )
Get a good book on acoustic guitar making and read it carefully. Much of it will not apply directly to a CBG build but you'll learn the why's and it will help you to avoid glaring mistakes.
This is the only one I've read but it's a good one:
http://www.amazon.com/Guitarmaking-Tradition-Technology-Constructio...
Don't start with your favorite box, as every build will be better than the last. No rules, other than learn from your mistakes. Welcome, and good luck.
Welcome to the insanity George. Don't rush the process and don't try and build a total work of art the first time. Make your first build simple, have fun doing it and as you build make mental notes of what you would like to add to the next one.
I just finished my seventh build, I've built one Cookie Tin Guitar, three canjos and three Cigar Box Guitars. I've had a couple of friends who are decent musicians play them and they sound great so I figure I must be doing it OK.
Never played a stringed instrument and I just turned 66 so I'm still learning how to play the dang things and having fun with that too. I must admit that I started this as a fun thing to do in my retirement and love my new hobby.