Heres my first cigar box guitar. I cant play any musical instruments. Id like to learn. I also like to make stuff myself. So I thought id make my own three string cigar box and learn to play. I really didnt know what I was donig when I built it. Heres what I can up with:
Turned out good. Sounds good(i think). Im already thinking about building another. Any feedback or suggestions would be great.
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Joiners aren't cheap, nor any of the other power tools I use. ***I'M*** cheap. I work at the craft center at the local University. I have access to table saws, band saws, routers, a lathe, a miter saw, drill press, etc. etc. All this (plus having a shop supervisor keeping me from doing REALLY stupid things) for $40 a term. Check your local community college, senior center, university, what have you.
Oak is a good tough wood for necks. If you get that neck flattened out, it will work fine. Oak is a poor choice for sides and soundboards, but you have a cigar box for that.
Later you can go for the jazzier stuff.But right now I'd just slip on down to the hardware store and try a few sizes of copper til you find one that fits.
The one I use is slightly bigger then my finger and has painters tape wrapped inside to take up the slack.Works fine.
Why limit yourself to glass? You might find a length of copper pipe that might work. Go down to your local hardware store and (if nobody's looking) try things on for size: pipe, 3/4" sockets, whathaveyou. If you get something stuck on your finger, don't mention my name. If you use a pipe section, BE SURE you file and sand the corners or you'll get a nasty cut.
Another material you might try is bone -- lamb or ham might work well. WEAR A DUST MASK while sanding -- bone dust is hard on the lungs. If bone works for Keni Lee Burges, it should work for you.
Rings fit tight. I think a slide that fit that tight would get downright painful after a bit.
As to bowed necks, I'm not sure I understand what you're saying. You havent put strings on it yet, so it's a bit warped ... right? That can be trued up on a joiner. If you've already cut fret slots then bye-bye slots, but otherwise you can still save the neck. But yes, you shold always true up any wood you use, even if it was nice and true before resawing. I've had flat pieces of wood turn into pringles after ripping or resawing to a smaller size.
What kind of wood are you using?
Anyone got suggestions on where to get a slide for really skinny fingers? I tried to go the cut my own from a bottle route but Im having a hard time finding a good size bottle. I dont know anything about the sizing of them but im guessing the should fit like a ring would?
I'm just starting out playing guitar myself. Self defense, really... people keep seeing my with my CBG and saying "looks nice, play something."
As a new player, I'd be LOST without my fret markers. If you have a drill press, you can put those in easily anytime before the fret wire is added. (You could probably still do this, but you'd have to sand them down AGAINST the neck's grain and that's a pain).
How's the action? If you make a nut and saddle out bone or corian, you can adjust this to your heart's content. Corian is something you can pick up from any custom kitchen counter manufacturer.
How in the world are you going to top even yourself, on your next build, and the next 1 and the one after that?! lol
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