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Lefty build

Posted by popsomatic on March 8, 2014 at 8:56pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Well ...after a week or two of research and hitting up a couple good smoke shops for some decent sized boxes I have decided to  build my own box. I realize I am breaking the rules so to speak.........but I have been building boxes for nearly 30 years as a cabinet maker.............and some beautiful boxes at that. I just figured I can use the best tonewood I already have in stock in the shop, and build the box to the exact size I want.  This leaves me with a blank slate and no limitations.

My nephew  and his band drove all night to Detroit for one gig and called me tonight from Louisville enjoying some barbecue before tonights show there..............then they drive all night back to Philly for a gig tomorrow night. I can just see him jambing on that small guitar someday in the van on the way to his next gig !

Remember those days when you could burn that candle real hard and love it? 

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Replies

  • Darren Wolbold March 10, 2014 at 5:17am

    I make my own boxes

    I think its good because you are not at the mercy of what boxes you can get

    Also it allows you to make it better in my opinion

    My blog

    http://darrenscigarboxguitars.blogspot.co.uk/

  • David McQueen March 9, 2014 at 11:20am
    What thickness are you aiming at for top, bottom and sides? By the way, that is just lovely.
    • Michael Fred Johnson > David McQueen March 10, 2014 at 7:50am

      Thanks David

    • Richey Kay > David McQueen March 10, 2014 at 1:53am

      I think Michael uses 1/8" for the tops (maybe a little thinner) and sometimes 1/4" for the bottom and sides. Bear in mind you need to brace  the underside of the soundboard if you're using solid wood or very thin ply... I use the same. Michael helped out a lot when I started making my own boxes.

      • Michael Fred Johnson > Richey Kay March 10, 2014 at 7:43am

        The top on that one is 3/32" and fan strutted.The back and sides are just 1/16" thick

        • Richey Kay > Michael Fred Johnson March 12, 2014 at 2:34am

          I stand corrected :)

        • David McQueen > Michael Fred Johnson March 10, 2014 at 9:23am

          I have been wondering how thin I could go on a small box. That is why you are getting such good volume.

          I can't tell from the photo, are you using classical strings? It appears to be a straight across bridge instead of angled, but could just be the photo angle.

          • Michael Fred Johnson > David McQueen March 10, 2014 at 9:39am

            Steel strings.The bridge on this is straight (this was built back in 2011) all my builds since have angled saddles 

            • David McQueen > Michael Fred Johnson March 12, 2014 at 10:06am

              If you are having any intonation problems with that one, try putting some classical strings on it.  Saddles on classical guitars are straight. + it would probably give a much deeper sound which could be really interesting.

  • Michael Fred Johnson March 9, 2014 at 7:11am

    You will get a better acoustic sound using better materials,solid woods or even thinner ply than is used in regular cigar boxes.This one is 11" x 8" x 2", american walnut back and sides, western red cedar front,it's by far the loudest of any I've built.306256875?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024 

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