Hello all, I am brand new to cigar box guitars and found the aesthetics of this one to my liking, but I don't know anything else about it. Does it look constructed well? Is the design geared toward one type of music over another? Hoping someone knowledgeable can tell me what I have here. Thanks so much in advance.
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I'm guessing that the reason it doesn't have a soundhole is that the builder intended it as electric only, since those boxes have very thick lids. If you are looking to practice quietly this may be the way to go, paired with a small amp and headphones.
Hi Karen, thanks for the comments.
Going by the photo there may not be enough room for the size hole that would be beneficial.
The soundhole in the side of the CBG in my photo is 45mm diameter, it did improve the volume some, but removing the grill and leaving the chrome surround only, improved it even more.
Depending on what the size of the neck block is, if it's not a through neck, you may be better off putting 2 holes one either side of the neck just forward of the pickup.
With a decent small portable amp you don't have to play much louder than acoustic volume to enjoy playing. I like to play down the back yard and I have my acoustic plugged in just enough to block out the birds, frogs and other critters. Ha ha.
Taff
Karen, I think they said that, is because there are no sound hole or holes in it. Unless there are some on the side of it, that we can't see. Also the box doesn't look that thick, and they would have put a board inside to screw the adjustable bridge to. If you just want an acoustic guitar, you could always buy a kit from CBGitty.
Hi Karen, Keith is on the money there, plus if I may add, the bridge is too solid and too far back on soundboard to be effective acoustically. And for me, screwing a heavy pickup onto the top will dampen vibrations, add to that the large pickup surround.
Don't worry you will get an acoustic sound but it could be better.
Taff
A bit more.......if you have not bought this guitar and you are thinking "acoustic" add up the features mentioned by the guy's above, that will get you a good one.
Here's some pictures of a couple of my builds using side soundholes.
Taff
Yes, as others have said, between the hard tail bridge, the magnetic pickup, the lack of sound holes and the thickness of the box. you probably won't get a lot of volume out of that guitar without an amp.
I've noticed that lighter strings sing well without the resonance of the sound board. A set of .009", .012" and .022" strings would give you the highest GDG tuning (middle G, high D & high G). You may want to start there. Those high strings will sound great for folk and traditional music, similar to a dulcimer.
If you really want to play blues or rock, string it up with .042", .030" & .022" wound strings and plug it into an amp.
Like I said, play the music you like to listen to and enjoy your new guitar.
Yep, pretty much what Jim has outlined. Playability and being intonated accurately is possibly most important, as well as the stability of the neck. Frets should be rounded on top and not left flat from levelling.
Lower string actions will show up sloppy fret work by the buzzing of strings on certain frets.
Taff
If you want to get a bit picky, run your fingers down the edges of the fret board. Is it smooth or do your fingers catch on the fret edges. That won't make it sound or play any better but you'll get an idea on just how much attention to detail the maker paid.
Basically is it easy to play and does it sound good.
Play the music you like to listen to. Lower octave strings lend themselves to blues and rock, higher octave strings lend themselves to folk and traditional.
Enjoy!
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