I’ve decided to build a CBG. I paid a visit to the local cigar shop and picked these up for $1 each. As far as looks I like the middle one, the American. The one on the left, the Perdomo, is a very thick wood box, it also feels a little too thick. Is the thicker wood a good thing? Also I’m going to install a Fender single coil pickup that I have left over from an older pickup change on a strat and a tele. I’ve looked all over the web and can’t find a picture of a single coil being installed with the neck that goes thru the box. Does that create a clearance problem? Any advice will help. Thanks.
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Thanks for the reply’s, I’m been very sick since last Thursday. Went to ER Sunday and feel much better today. I’m going back to cigar box store latter in the week to see what he has. I don’t have any idea how often he has new boxes.
Sorry to hear that Paul, I hope you get well soon.
As for box supply, maybe you could organize a Start Smoking campaign in your area. More smokers, more available boxes. :D
Hi, I had to pick a box recently and I chose the one the same as yours on the left. I pulled out the 4 bottom half box liners and removed the cardboard top liner as it would dampen the tops acoustic response, only to find the lid has an MDF top not timber. So there goes my acoustic cbg idea.
Its annoying as the bottom is timber. The difference in response is very noticeable when tapped with the finger. A good lesson in the importance the top plays in sound production.
So this box will have to have a pickup fitted.
Cheers Taff
MDF and Lipstick Tubes go together great.
I'd say work from right to left.,.,and buy more boxes.,,.a 2 piece neck will give you clearance for any pickup .,.,Welcome and have fun.,,.,.
Good price the best I can get is over $7 each! Start at the righet and work left.
My local cigar shop had about 10 more that would work for a buck each. I’m going back next week just to see how often he has new empty ones.
But back to my question. The Perdomo box is thick wood, the American in the middle looks like a cardboard box. Is the thick wood box better? Will it sound better?
tap the top of the box? how does it sound ? is it dull or does it ring a bit? if its dull it might be a bit thick but would be good for an electric build.
The soundboard of an acoustic guitar if wanting an acoustic sound, is usually thin, but if real thin on your build, may need internal bracing similar to professional guitars. The wood is usually a softer wood as well, like a spruce, all this contributes to sound quality, one of the most difficult thing to overcome in these CBG's to provide a decent acoustic volume, is the size or lack of air space inside the box. That being said, if your going to electrify it, I would choose the far left box, as strong a box as available. Some people wanting a thin soundboard build with a thick box, sometimes will use the bottom of the box as the top, as it's usually thinner, but not always. All 3 boxes will do nicely with different characteristics.
Remember, there are no rules, build it, play it, take it apart, make it different, burn it to keep warm, sell it to finance new builds, make video's....most important, can't stress enough....Have Fun!!!!!
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