#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Pie pan reso with real spring reverberation.

After a 6 month break I though I'd get back to my 3 strang-ger and made some progress the last few days. It'll be unique fer sure.

It has a removable neck, pie pan resonator and real spring reverberation. The bridge is a round disc of cherry placed into a metal PVC glue top with a solid brass screw saddle and nut. The top is 3/16" luan plywood inlaid into walnut sides. The neck is maple with walnut fingerboard and heel cap. A buffalo nickel and a indian head penny are inlaid into the head and fingerboard. I'll probably add maple dowel fret makers on the fingerboard and side dots. For frets I'm using galvie fence wire that I'll be filing a "V" on the bottom and supergluing in place. NOT conventional I know but I've never been. I still need to figure out a way to have a hand rest somehow. I'm kinda letting the thing build itself.

I stayed pretty close to the original drawing. I'd like to find a eagle, hawk or owl feather to attach to a lanyard on the head.

Nobody could say that I stole ideas on this one.

SOME PHOTOS:

SOUND SAMPLES:

"To ear is human...good tone, devine".
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/show/

6 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kidd Filby on June 23, 2011 at 12:18pm

WOW... I love the craftsmanship. Stunning joinery. I am new to CBG's and instantly got hooked. I think it's awesome when folks think out of the box and go for it. I can't wait to hear how she sounds.

Very nice work;

Kidd

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lowatter on June 26, 2011 at 9:36am

I got it finished and I recorded 2 tracks of the same song so you can hear the different sounds out of it. Here's the links:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=854782&...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kidd Filby on June 26, 2011 at 10:10am

Lowatter;

She sounds great!!! You should be proud of your creation. Definitely sounds as good as it looks. If my 2nd CBG build, which just happens to be a reso as well... turns out even 1/2 as nice as yours, I'll be satisfied.

Kidd

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lowatter on June 26, 2011 at 12:06pm

Thanks Kidd. What do you guys think of the spring reverb effect? I recorded this over a Super Champ XD clean with no reverb.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on June 26, 2011 at 12:08pm

Hi Lowatter,

This instrument (using the springs) does have an interesting sound to it. What type and size springs are being used? I imagine If I picked strings I'd get them either too stiff or too loose to vibrate to give those interesting overtones.

-Rand

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kidd Filby on June 26, 2011 at 12:31pm

Lowatter;

I think the reverb sounds great. If you haven't done so, it might be a good test to disconnect the strings and do a comparison for yourself to see how much of an effect they really have. I can certainly hear them and like I said, it sounds great. I'm a CBG newbie but, I think you just might have started a new CBG craze with this build. I'm sure others have done this, but... this is a beauty. Congrats!!!!

Kidd

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lowatter on June 26, 2011 at 1:57pm

I used the springs from the door of a dishwasher. I stretched them fairly tight after determining what tension made them project the most. I was thinking about adding a dampener system of some sort but for right now I'm just going to enjoy it for what it is.

BTW...check out what my good friend Gypsyhook did with the track...

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=854782&...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kidd Filby on June 26, 2011 at 2:56pm

Must have been a fun Trial and error to get those springs at the right tension. Funny... I was sitting here looking at the dish washer I just ripped out of my kitchen. I haven't taken it to the dump yet..... maybe this is why. I need the springs. I think I'll go out right now a snag'm HAHAHA.

Good mix on the tune.