I just finished it:
here are about a million pictures of the entire build process:
http://jleslie48.com/jl/111231_guitar_05/acs.html
My problem is it sounds too "twangy" and banjo-ish, I'm looking for more of a deeper low toned sound. If I try and tune it down an octave, the strings are too loose, they won't even hold the bridge in place. I was going for a GDG tuning, I'm currently using the strings
2, (.011", .28mm)
3, (.016", .41mm)
4 (.024", .61mm)
of an electric guitar string package, A506-SL superlight series. Can anybody give me any idea on how to get a deeper, lower toned sound out of this CBG?
The bridge and nut are metal brass, if that is important. The cigar box is very thick wood.
Thanks,
Jon
Replies
Soft/hard wood for the neck makes difference only when you're playing fretless (IMHO - that would explain why an additional piezo PU glued under my upright's fingerboard works so well ;-) )
What counts is the quality of the top. If it's too "heavy" (thick) it won't resonate well. If it's too soft it will dampen the vibrations.
And you're right - depending on materials used, scale length and string gauges, an instrument "likes" some tunings more - and some less...
Ok, after a trip to the music store, I've got some great improvements on the sound of my CBG. I went there armed with the information I gathered here, and they basically agreed with the string changes although they are a little worried about my poplar neck being too soft. They recommend a maple neck and think red oak is too heavy. I'm planning a red oak neck for my next build. Anyway, they wanted me to replace my 11, 16w, 24w strings with 15, 17, 29w but I've decided to go with the advice here of 18, 26w, 36w.
The big thing they noticed was that my saddle was cut way too deep. They said that the strings should be resting on top of the saddle instead of in groves. This was made even worse by the fact that I didn't have a very big angle from my string anchor point in the hinge to the saddle. they thought my groove cut in the nut was too big also, but by fingering a fret we could instantly tell the twang was from the saddle.
So the first thing I did when I got home was to replace the saddle with just a piece of fine threaded rod. I new instantly I was on the right track. The twang was gone. I've also replaced the strings, and tuned it to C-G-C for the moment (the guitar seemed to "like" that tuning, isn't that weird??) and I'm getting a nice rich sound.
I've shot some video of the original stringing, the original stringing with a different saddle, and I'll shoot another video with the new strings once they settle (and hopefully take to a G-D-G tuning better.)
just keep playing it. my perfecto garcia that is featured in most of my vids sounded banjoish when i first built it, but its a year later now and it doesnt sound as much like a banjo as it first did. a guitars sound or tone will change the more you play it and get it broke in. i also recomend changing to heavier strings. i use wound 36 and 26, and a plain 18. i tune the d and g up one step to e and a and leave the 36 wound in a so i get open a tuining. if you want g tuning just bring your low a down a step to g
Ahhh, the search for tone!
Easy things to try:
Medium strings. A-D-G. Experiment with tunings. Find one the box likes (which may not necessarily be G-D-G) Use a heavier pick, if not playing fingerstyle. Plug it into an amp, dial out the treble, boost the mids and bass freqs.
Harder things to try:
Experiment with other nut and bridge materials (Corian, hardwoods, bone). Rout out or otherwise thin the box top to less than 3/16": say, 2 mm.
Or, just move on to Build #2. Use what you've learned from Build #1. You'll always love Build #1.
You had me at my CBG sounds to much like a banjo . I got here as fast as I could ! You have already got great answers from some great builders and players . So , let me summarize their ideas and present them as my own . No problem,that's what I do ! You need : Acoustic , medium to heavy , A ,D , G strings for a standard guitar ..... then tune them to G,D,G . If you still have questions about string diameter ...you have posted your string diameters as ... { .011" , .28mm } { .016" , .41mm } {.024" , .61mm} ... In casual conversation these would be referred to as...... elevens , sixteens , and twentyfours . Please let us know when your CBG stops sounding like a banjo , as this is something that concerns us all !
This video may help, but like others have already stated, lower strings (ADg) will make for a fuller tone.
Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
Happy New Year. Enjoy your practice, Keni Lee
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/a-cigar-box-guitar-builders
Heavier strings will definately give you some deeper tones. Tuning down the strings a little lower helps too.
Wade
.026, .036, .046 Diameter strings. Essentially the G, D, A strings from a standard set of strings.
jonathan leslie said:
I should also mention that I referring to the sound when playing as an acoustic guitar. My first thought was to change the strings. what do you mean by 26, 36, 46?
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