Posted by Roosterman on February 27, 2009 at 11:30am
So whats everyone's feelings on using MDF (medium density fibreboard) to make boxes out of? (cue giggles at the back). Reason been Iv just come across an old shop advertising sign in the form of a 12" long box of matches, and I want to make it into a Cigar Box Lighting Kit Guitar... but its made of that old compressed cardboard stuff. Iv got a stack of mdf offcuts, so was gonna make a box up and skin it in the over-sized matchbox, then laquer over it.
Im reckoning for a 3 or 4 string with a piezo the material the box is made of shouldn't make too much difference....
Here in Brazil is almost impossible to obtain a true cigar box at low price, but I can purchase MDF boxes at $5,00 (BRL12,00) or less. I was made an acoustic/electric 6-string from one of these boxes, but the tone of MDF is weird, just like a cardboard box...
Trick question there Rich - I guess it depends on the wood! I will be using 9mm (when I get round to it) so its fairly light. Lighter than oak, probably heavier than pine. But either way, the box will be half the size of a standard solid bodied electric so should weigh comparitivly less... though if it WAS heavier, that could imply it may have better tonal qualities? Id rather use wood myself, but Iv got a stack of MDF offcuts so....
Alrighty!! :o) Thanks the the response guys... Im fired up
I never even considered using it for fretboards, but hell, why not?! Its going to be super stable so should be ideal for our wet little corner of the world!
While we are on the subject then, anyone done anything with glass?
I don't know about using it for boxes, but the 1/4" thick stuff works great for fretboards. It's a nice smooth, hard, and consistent surface. It cuts nicely into strips and sands well.
hey randy i have used what is called substrate and it is pvc material that plummers use in kitchens and bathrooms but the pvc i got comes in 4ft by 8 ft sheets 1/4 in. thick. it has good vibration response so with that said i would try any thing different just as an experiment to see how it works. i,m with juju on this nothing ventured nothing gained.this substrate i use is super easy to cut and shape compared to wood so i like working with it. we use it in the boating industry to take the place of wood cause it will never rot like wood does when constantly exposed to water.
RandyRoosterGuitars said:
I really hope its not! lol I do love proper wood... to find mdf was better in anyway but be soul destroying Wise words though Juju... I just thought someone might have had a 'tried it, never again' story! Il crack on with the build then :o)
And I will remember to stop and take the odd pic now and again...
I really hope its not! lol I do love proper wood... to find mdf was better in anyway but be soul destroying
Wise words though Juju... I just thought someone might have had a 'tried it, never again' story!
Il crack on with the build then :o)
And I will remember to stop and take the odd pic now and again...
Replies
I never even considered using it for fretboards, but hell, why not?! Its going to be super stable so should be ideal for our wet little corner of the world!
While we are on the subject then, anyone done anything with glass?
I don't know about using it for boxes, but the 1/4" thick stuff works great for fretboards. It's a nice smooth, hard, and consistent surface. It cuts nicely into strips and sands well.
Doug
RandyRoosterGuitars said:
Wise words though Juju... I just thought someone might have had a 'tried it, never again' story!
Il crack on with the build then :o)
And I will remember to stop and take the odd pic now and again...
Best thing is to try it , nothing ventured nothing gained , no rules just go with what you got , could be the wonder material ??
juju.